Indoor farms - ditching lights for greener future

By Blake Jackson

Square Roots, a company focused on indoor agriculture, is pioneering a new approach that could significantly reduce the environmental impact and operational costs of vertical farming. Their program aims to eliminate the need for artificial lighting in these indoor systems.

Traditionally, indoor farms rely on light for photosynthesis, the process plants use to convert light energy into food. Square Roots is exploring an alternative method called heterotrophic growth. This method utilizes gene-edited plants specifically designed to absorb carbon through their roots, eliminating the need for light.

This research has the potential to revolutionize indoor farming. Here's how:

• Reduced Energy Consumption: Eliminating lighting significantly cuts down on energy use, leading to lower costs and a smaller carbon footprint. Square Roots estimates that lighting currently accounts for 21% of their emissions.
• Lower Production Costs: With less energy needed, indoor farms become more cost-effective to operate, potentially making this technology more accessible.
• Sustainable Food Production: By requiring less land and water than traditional farming, vertical farming is already considered sustainable. This new approach could further minimize environmental impact.
• Year-Round Production: Indoor farms are not limited by seasons, allowing for a consistent supply of fresh produce.

The company is currently testing this method with various crops, starting with Arabidopsis, a fast-growing green plant, followed by lettuce and eventually tomatoes. They are also considering staple crops like potatoes and cassava for future research.

Square Roots emphasizes that even with this new technology, taste and quality remain paramount. They will be closely monitoring the impact of heterotrophic growth on the final product.

The potential benefits of this research extend beyond just Square Roots' operations. They envision a network of low-cost, low-carbon indoor farms, particularly in developing countries, that can produce essential food sources year-round.

This technology could also complement traditional agriculture. Instead of complete replacement, these indoor farms might function as "super-nurseries," producing healthy starter plants that can improve success rates and yields for outdoor farmers.

Square Roots sees their research platform as a tool for collaboration and problem-solving within the agricultural sector. They believe that by working together, indoor farming can become a valuable tool for addressing global food security challenges in a sustainable way.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-seventyfour