Demystifying aeroponic production – LettUs Grow research collaboration with Wageningen University

Ultrasonic aeroponics and hydroponic irrigation systems are going head-to-head in a research collaboration between Wageningen University and Research (NL) and the aeroponic technology specialists LettUs Grow (UK). The trials aim to boost the understanding of aeroponics to encourage innovative agricultural practices in the future.

Hydroponics is a method of soil-less growing, where plant roots are supplied with a nutrient solution at intervals or constantly growing in a nutrient solution, whereas in aeroponics plant roots are irrigated with a fine mist of water and nutrients. Ultrasonic aeroponics uses high-frequency sound waves that shake water and nutrients until they disperse into lots of tiny droplets, like a mist.

LettUs Grow: pioneer in ultrasonic aeroponics

LettUs Grow has pioneered the development of an ultrasonic aeroponic system and this will be trialed alongside two other hydroponic systems, ebb and flow and deep water culture, in a greenhouse environment. The research will be conducted at Wageningen’s campus greenhouse facilities over a five month period.

Jack Farmer, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of LettUs Grow, said: “It is a core value for us that everything we do and promote is rooted in good science; so it’s really gratifying as a UK technology company within the CEA sector to be collaborating with the leading academics in the space.

“We’re pleased to have the opportunity to build the relationships with Dutch horticulture, which we recognize as world-leading and a cornerstone of the industry.”

Quadruple Helix Model of innovation beneficial

Wageningen is an exemplar of the Quadruple Helix Model of innovation, which is where the university, industry, government and public interact within a knowledge economy.

This policy of investing in and connecting science with policy, industry, and society has enabled the Netherlands to become a global leader in sustainable agriculture. Now, despite its small size, the country is a key agricultural player and second largest exporter of agricultural goods.

Prof. Leo Marcelis, Professor of Horticulture and Product Physiology at Wageningen University, will be leading the trials. He says: “We are happy to conduct this research in cooperation with Lettus Grow, addressing an important question with respect to optimizing growth and quality relevant for greenhouse and vertical farm production systems.”

The trials will compare the crop growth, development and quality of basil in greenhouse cultivation, while also potentially exploring the energy costs associated with each of the three irrigation systems.

Researchers will gather data on:

• growth rate
• productivity
• nutritional content
• shelf life
• plant physiological characteristics
• the effects of seasonality
• energy consumption

This is a research collaboration, rather than an outsourced trial, so LettUs Grow will be actively involved in the trial.

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