Effects of Light Intensity and Nutrient Solution on the Optimization of Rice Seedling Cultivation in a Container-Based Vertical Farm

Yoonzin Kim; Jeong-Tak An; Ji Hwan Park; Dae Ho Jung; Hosub Shin

doi:10.12791/KSBEC.2025.34.1.108

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Original Articles

Effects of Light Intensity and Nutrient Solution on the Optimization of Rice Seedling Cultivation in a Container-Based Vertical Farm 컨테이너형 수직농장 기반 벼 육묘 최적화를 위한 광도와 양액 공급의 효과

31 January 2025. pp. 108-117

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Abstract

In recent years, the labor force has been declining due to shrinking rural and aging populations, making it difficult for farmers to find enough workers. The conventional open field rice seedling process requires a lot of space and labor, and the quality control of young seedlings is difficult. In this study, a container vertical farm was utilized to reduce the growth period of rice seedlings, and the effects of light intensity and nutrient solution treatment on seedling growth were evaluated. A container equipped with temperature-humidity control and LED lights was used, and two rice varieties, ‘Koshihikari’ and ‘Chamdream’, were grown for 10 days under light intensities of 160 and 355 µmol·m^-2·s^-1 using groundwater or a dilute nutrient solution containing NPK. After 10 days, rice seedlings secured a shoot length of over 10 cm, making them ready for transplanting. There were no significant differences in growth in response to light intensity and nutrient solution during the rice growing process in the container vertical farm, suggesting that operating at lower light intensities is feasible while being cost-effective. After planting, the container vertical farm-grown rice seedlings successfully acclimatized to outdoor light. Container-grown seedlings showed normal growth after transplanting to open fields, with no adverse effects noted. Additionally, the economic analysis revealed that when producing 4,000 trays of seedlings, cost savings are achieved with the use of at least two container vertical farms compared to conventional open-field seedling production. These results demonstrate that cultivating rice seedlings in a container vertical farm is more efficient than open-field methods, reducing the seedling production period from 25 days to 10 days and minimizing labor requirements. This approach lowers costs and labor, contributing to higher farmer income and addressing labor shortages.

Keywords

container vertical farm

light intensity

nutrient solution

rice seedling

seedling production time reduction

최근 농촌 인구 감소와 고령화로 노동력 부족 현상이 심화되면서 농민들이 인력을 확보하는 데 어려움을 겪고 있다. 기존의 노지 벼 육묘는 많은 공간과 노동력을 요구하며, 어린 묘의 품질 관리가 어려운 문제가 있다. 본 연구에서는 컨테이너형 수직농장을 활용하여 벼 육묘일수를 줄이고, 광 및 양액의 처리에 따른 생육 효과를 확인하였다. ‘고시히카리’와 ‘참드림’ 두 품종의 벼를 지하수와 희석된 양액을 사용하여 각각 160와 355μmol·m^-2·s^-1의 광도에서 10일간 컨테이너형 수직농장에서 재배하였다. 벼 육묘 결과, 모든 품종에서 10일 만에 이앙 가능한 초장을 확보할 수 있었으며, 양액을 처리하지 않는 저광도에서 경제적 운영이 가능함을 확인하였다. 뿐만 아니라 육묘된 벼는 순화과정에 문제가 없고, 본답 정식 이후에도 기존 노지육묘와 생산성이 유사한 것을 확인하였다. 경제성 분석을 통해 육묘판 생산 시 컨테이너형 수직농장 2동 이상 있을 경우 기존 노지육묘보다 비용 절감이 있음을 확인하였다. 따라서 컨테이너형 수직농장을 활용한 벼 육묘는 비용 절감과 노동력 부족 문제 해결에 기여할 수 있는 효과적인 대안이 될 것으로 기대된다.

키워드

광도

벼 육묘

양액

육묘 생산 시간 절감

컨테이너형 수직농장

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Society for Bio-Environment Control
Publisher(Ko) :(사)한국생물환경조절학회
Journal Title :Journal of Bio-Environment Control
Journal Title(Ko) :생물환경조절학회지
Volume : 34
No :1
Pages :108-117
Received Date : 2025-01-20
Revised Date : 2025-02-03
Accepted Date : 2025-02-04
DOI :https://doi.org/10.12791/KSBEC.2025.34.1.108

Journal of Bio-Environment Control ISSN:1229-4675(Print) 2765-3641(Online) 생물환경조절학회지

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