S08 - Session P2 - Development of an indoor farming cultivation system for Rhodiola rosea under the comparison of aeroponic and deep water cultivation as well as the influence of UV-A radiation on specific quality parameters

Authors: Nicolas Mauser, Sabine Wittmann, Ivonne Jüttner *, Heike Mempel

Indoor vertical farming as a controlled system opens the possibility to establish completely standardized production processes of horticultural produce, where the spectra and climatic conditions are precisely controlled according to the respective plant needs. A controlled environment can also overcome specific problems like misidentification, genetically and phenotypical variability, active substances variability or toxic compounds whose mastery is necessary for the production of medicinal plants that contain valuable phytochemicals. Rhodiola rosea known as golden root is a medicinal plant used in traditional medical systems in Europe and Asia with a reputation for decreasing depression, eliminating fatigue, and preventing high altitude sickness. Rhodiola rosea is usually field grown or comes from wild collections. However, the cultivation period until harvest takes several years, which makes faster cultivation methods interesting. In the literature, there are no references to the cultivation of Rhodiola rosea in an indoor farming system up to now. Nevertheless, due to its small growth height of about 30 cm and valuable bioactive ingredients in roots and leaves and the possibility of fast, clean and safe soilless production seems feasible. The University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT) aims to establish a standardized hydroponic production process for Rhodiola rosea in an indoor farm. Representatives from agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry support the trials and show great interest in this innovative cultivation method. The aim is to attain fast and standardized growth allied with optimal crop quality and high bioactive substance. During an experiment inside an indoor container farm at the site of the HSWT, the impact of aeroponic and deep water hydroponic system on growth, harvest and valuable phytochemicals will be analyzed. Furthermore, the addition of UV-A radiation to the otherwise used spectra will give valuable insight into the capability to influence the bioactive ingredients salidroside and rosavin at a specific cultivation time.