Igor Schweiggl, a student of the BA program in Biotechnology & Food Engineering, is completing his twelve-week internship at MCI over the summer in the RD area of Food Science & Biotechnology on the topic of vertical farming. In vertical farming, crops grow on top of each other in several storeys, which is being discussed as an alternative urban farming system in highly populated areas. Advantages are topics such as environmental friendliness, space-saving and pesticide-free cultivation or independence from weather phenomena. Scientific work on vertical farming is intended to advance this promising and current issue even further, especially when it comes to the efficient use of light, substrate use, and efficient plant cultivation.The effects of different nutrient solutions as well as light sources on the growth of duckweed will be investigated during the experimental setup in the MCI laboratory. Series of experiments with higher plants, such as lamb's lettuce, are also planned.
Student Igor Schweiggl in front of the experimental setup in the lab. Over the summer, he is completing an internship at MCI on the subject of vertical farming. All students in the Biotechnology & Food Engineering program complete a 12-week mandatory internship. Practical relevance and getting to know possible occupational fields are an important part of the study program. Photo: MCI ®
Precise work and documentation of the work steps are essential in the laboratory. Photo: MCI ®
The duckweed is illuminated with LED lamps. But how does the growth change by different positioning of the light sources or by using different types of light sources? These are factors that Igor Schweiggl is taking a closer look at. Photo: MCI ®
In addition to a nutrient solution, duckweed also needs aeration to grow. How different nutrient solutions affect growth is also studied and documented in the laboratory. Photo: MCI ®
