SCiO set up, installed and operationalized on its premises the first version of the GOhydro low-cost hydroponic unit. It was used – at an operational environment – for testing different growth recipes for three types of basil. Samples were also collected and prepared for experimentation and calibration of the photonic sensing component prototype, used to evaluate the Nutrient Content of the cultivation.

Located at the University of Copenhagen’s Taastrup campus, our trials were conducted in both operational and climate controlled conditions. The former was operationalized in a greenhouse, with only semi-controlled conditions, while the latter was conducted in a sealed climate chamber allowing for much more control of environmental conditions. We grew seven different species of Microgreens (Coriander, Basil, Pea, Kale, Kohlrabi, Radish, and Mustard) in a variety of conditions to study the impact of environmental factors, especially light, on production outcomes. The outcomes measured were biomass, morphology, and secondary metabolites.

In accordance with the project’s implementation plan, two pilot sessions were carried out under the supervision of USAMV Cluj-Napoca: one in semi-controlled conditions, and one in an operational environment.

The two pilots used identical GOhydro hydroponic platforms equipped with the project’s Multi-modal Sensor Kits. As the cultivation progressed all data were collected and sent to the GOhydro data platform to inform the GOhydro analytical models in conjunction with the in-situ measurements conducted by the scientists overseeing the pilot trials.