How is farming related to CO2?
For years, when anyone talked about agriculture, farming, or cultivation; the industry would often get criticized for its negative impact on CO2 emissions.
However, when it comes to indoor growing, the opposite could not be more true.
This is in part because of carbon dioxide, which is a huge supporter for plant life and also serves even more useful as a pest control tool. The inert gas is considered such a benefit for indoor growers in modern day, that some even consider CO2 an organic treatment for organic produce, too.
In turn, the use cases surrounding carbon dioxide in indoor farming are steadily evolving. And, CO2 continues to act as a vital component for indoor farmers.
Whether you are looking for CO2 as a means for supplementation, enrichment, fumigation, yield growth, production, or produce quality the gas is essential.
Indoor Farming impact on CO2 emissions
Luckily, CO2Meter has earned recognition across multiple industries for its research when it comes to carbon dioxide and its use case across applications. Indoor farming, is no exception.
Below, we have highlighted a few added advantages that growers can look to incorporate in addition to CO2 use.
These variables have also been said to reduce emissions:
- Utilize liquid microalgae fertilizer
- No added pesticides
- Stick with a biodegradable organic substrate
- Build a retrofit indoor farm structure
- Gain energy efficiency with renewable sources for lighting, AC, water, etc.
- Utilize a closed water system or hydroponic/aeroponics
Is it a good idea to farm indoors, why?
While CO2Meter gets a large number of customer inquiries on a cultivation or farming in general, we tend to lean on indoor farming due to its may benefits. For starters, with indoor farming you can grow your own crops, control environmental factors, build quality substance, and minimize carbon emissions.
Below, we highlight the five most popular indoor farming applications with a key focus on use of carbon dioxide. In addition, we provide customer examples of which CO2 monitoring devices are used being used; to improve their provers, control the environment, or keep indoor growers safe.
Vertical Farming
One of the largest industries when it comes to indoor farming and CO2, is vertical farming. As one of the fastest growing markets in the U.S. vertical farming is mostly defined as, the practice of growing produce in vertically stacked layers. In addition, this practice can use soil, hydroponics or aeroponic growing methods.
When it comes to carbon dioxide, it is used heavily in terms of enrichment and extraction. This process not only expedites the growth of plants but also can be utilized as a fumigant in most areas. During this enrichment CO2 levels are typically set at 800-1500ppm in order to influence maximum growth at 20-30%.
When it comes to monitoring CO2, one of the largest hydroponics shops uses our Day/Night CO2 Monitor and Grow Controller in order to control and adjust the CO2 levels and ensure optimal growth for their crops.
Mushroom Farming
Another popular application which creates carbon dioxide is mushroom farming. In this application, unlike vertical farming, however, mushroom growers are focused on monitoring the "excess" of CO2 in their space. Too much CO2 can stunt growth or damage the mushrooms.
Some farmers also use CO2 to intentionally stunt growth for yield management. By "stunting" the growth of a crop the farmer can ensure a consistent supply of mushrooms that ensures proper pricing structures too.
What many indoor farmers do not realize however, is that while CO2 is important in the indoor grow process, it can be hazardous to employees.
At CO2Meter, we proudly provide CO2 analyzers to one of the largest international mushroom manufacturers who uses our CM-501 CO2 Handheld Gas Detector to analyze CO2, humidity and temperature for the mycelium.
In addition, a mushroom focused pharmaceutical facility stands by the RAD-0102-6 Remote CO2 Storage Safety 3 Alarm to ensure CO2 safety and protect employees working around CO2 gas.
Produce Farming
One indoor agriculture application that has become more popular is grain or produce farming. When you think of the benefits to indoor farming for produce, farmers are able to naturally grow produce vertically and control environmental factors. For instance, some of the most organic produce such as corn, okra, brussels sprouts and leafy greens are all grown strategically in produce farms.
For grain, produce, or vegetable farmers one of the most vital components to the growing process is CO2. This is because CO2 is used to act as a fumigant in order to reduce pesticides. When it comes to indoor farming, while controlled, insects are a main culprit at times and are killed by CO2 concentrations at 5% over a 4-day exposure period.
When it comes to monitoring these CO2 levels and ensuring adequate levels for fumigation, customers stand by our CM-501 CO2 Handheld Gas Detector for accuracy, precision, and ease of use.
Livestock and Poultry Farms
One other industry that utilizes carbon dioxide is livestock and poultry farmers. This industry is very important for our economy and the use of CO2 is vastly different from other industries. When it comes to CO2 for poultry farms they use it in their incubators to control the timing of eggs as well as utilizing CO2 as a means of euthanasia for livestock at concentrations of 40% or higher to render them unconscious.
For perspective, many of our customers in poultry farming use our CM-1000 GasLab Pro Multi Gas Sampling Data Logger, in order to maximize the balance between production of the chicks and euthanasia.
Cultivation Facilities
Finally, one of our most popular indoor agriculture applications is indoor cultivation. Much like vertical farming, indoor cultivators rely on the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a means for expedited growth, productivity, and quality.
Over the years, CO2Meter has been proud to have worked alongside many of the leading cultivation facilities who use our RAD-0502 Indoor CO2 Grow Controller to monitor CO2 levels or the Fixed Multi Gas Safety System in pair, to ensure grow space safety and meet code requirements.
Overall, you can see the use of carbon dioxide varies across each indoor farming environment but it is clear it plays a core importance in the field.
By ensuring a better knowledge of each indoor farming industry and need for CO2, we hope you can gain a better understanding of the ideal solution that can best fit your indoor environment and overall requirements.
For more information on implementing CO2Meter technologies in your grow space, speak to an expert today and contact us.