Abstract

In densely populated cities like Singapore, ensuring a stable supply of nutritious food is a growing concern. With limited land availability for traditional farming methods, the need for high-tech urban farming has become evident. Indoor farming offers a promising solution to address food insecurity and meet the rising demand for locally sourced produce. Currently, local farming in Singapore contributes only 10% of the leafy vegetables consumed, highlighting the urgency to increase this percentage to 30% within the next decade [1]. To achieve this ambitious goal, the implementation of controlled indoor farming is essential. However, indoor farming requires a reliable and uniform source of light, not only for food production but also to induce proper morphogenesis in plants [2,3]. Light is a fundamental factor in plant growth and development, making it crucial to select an appropriate light source. LED technology has emerged as a viable option for providing uniform light in closed plant farming practices. Different vegetable crops have varying requirements for light duration and intensity. Thus, understanding the impact of various wavelength Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) on the photosynthetic parameters of Brassica species becomes pivotal. Brassica is not only known for its nutritional value, including fats, proteins, and natural antioxidants [4], but it is also an ideal candidate for hydroponic cultivation due to its adaptability and nutrient-rich properties [5]. Hydroponics, a soilless farming method, utilizes nutrient-rich water as a medium to supply essential elements to plants. The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a popular hydroponic system where a thin film of nutrient solution flows over the plant roots, providing them with a continuous supply of nutrients. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of different light spectrums on the growth of Kailan (Brassica oleraceae var. alboglabra) in a hydroponic NFT system. three different light treatments were employed in the NFT hydroponic system: blue light (400-500nm), red light (600- 700nm), and white light. Each light spectrum’s effects on Kailan growth were meticulously monitored and compared. By identifying the most suitable light spectrum for Kailan growth in an NFT hydroponic system, we can develop efficient and sustainable practices to support urban agriculture.

Keywords:Hydroponics; NFT; Indoor farming; Controlled environment; Light duration