Horticultural Methods of CEA Spinach Production on a Commercial Scale

Cornell University CEA Program is developing a Controlled Environment Agriculture Spinach Production system based on the technology developed and lessons learned during the construction and operation of the CEA Commercial Lettuce Production Facility.

The goals of the CEA Commercial Spinach Production Project are:

• Develop methods to prevent root disease in hydroponically-grown spinach without the use of chemical pesticides.

• Develop a germination system to produce consistently uniform seedlings.

• Find and select cultivars suitable for CEA commercial production.

• Develop CEA cultural production systems capable of producing over 300 tons of spinach per acre per year.

• Quantify the nutritional value of spinach grown under CEA conditions.

• Quantify the energy requirements of spinach grown under CEA conditions.

• Determine the best ways to market spinach in retail and food service outlets.

The research project is funded by NYSERDA and NYSEG.

Spinach production testing to determine optimal time of harvest in a controlled environment are underway at Cornell University.

Methods to provide uniform timing of spinach seed germination are being developed in Cornell CEA.

Seed holding techniques are being tested with a variety of materials. Felt strip 'sandwiches' hold seedlings during growth in the hydroponic system.

Spinach nutrient solution studies show the effects of iron-deficiency in spinach seedlings.