A Sustainable Approach of Growing Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton: Vertical Hydroponic Cultivation (VHC)

This project has developed a novel hydroponic method to grow extra-long staple (ELS) cotton with a significantly lower production cost at 1 Euro per pound of cotton while obviating the traditional climatic restrictions on ELS cotton farming. As the water used is recirculated and reused, this new farming method also reduces water consumption and saves around 90% of the water needed in soil-based farming. Additionally, fertiliser use is greatly reduced as nutrition can be directly absorbed through the roots, ensuring the ELS cotton grows in a sustainable way. To utilise space efficiently, this system adopts a vertical farming approach, consisting of a host of devices to control the airflow, water flow, temperature and humidity, as well as a nano-bubble generator to deliver more oxygen and accelerate growth for the ELS cotton. 

Application

Cotton farming in an indoor vertical hydroponic setting with ventilation and lighting system, control system of waterflow, temperature, and sensory, as well as a nano-bubble generator. From sowing to having cotton, the growth of Pima Cotton takes less than 5 months.

Industry Benefit
  • Obtaining 4 times annual output yield per unit area or shorter growth cycle time than conventional ELS cotton farming in soil; increasing overall supply of ELS in the market
  • Obtaining equivalent or better ELS cotton fibre qualities, regarding the industrial standards of ELS cotton fibres grown in soil as benchmarks
  • Relieving soil erosion and water wastage in conventional cotton farming; saving 90% water and 50% fertiliser
Technological Breakthrough
  • Developing a vertical hydroponic cultivation method of ELS that overcomes environmental and climatic constrains of ELS farming
  • Automatic system to control the airflow, water flow, temperature and humidity, as well as a nano-bubble generator to deliver more oxygen and accelerate growth for the ELS cotton. 
  • A water-conserving farming method as water are recirculated and reused in hydroponic farming
Awards
Special Edition 2022 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days - Silver Award
Project Name (ITF)

Hydroponic Farming of Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton Fibers – A Preliminary Study

Project Number (ITF)

ITP/039/21TP