Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Technology research

Pioneering developments in lighting, sensors and automation for controlled environment agriculture
Plant Factory sensor
A dynamic research group, at the forefront of advancing Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technology, with a primary focus on optimizing plant growth and quality while minimising energy consumption. This multidisciplinary team is dedicated to developing cutting-edge LED lighting systems and employing state-of-the-art spectrometry techniques to precisely understand how plants react to varying lighting conditions and spectra.
By delving into the intricate relationship between light spectrum and plant physiology, we aim to enhance growth rates, improve nutritional content, and fine-tune the chemical composition of cultivated crops. Moreover, our efforts in CEA automation are aimed at streamlining processes, reducing labour intensity, and maximising efficiency. Through innovative approaches, we are paving the way for sustainable and high-yield agricultural practices in indoor farming environments.

  • 3Dynamic LED lighting

  • 3Sensor technology

  • 3Automation

  • 3Control systems

  • 3Artificial intelligence

  • 3Energy efficiency

Smart Agriculture Cornwall: Good Growth-funded project

Indoor Controlled Environment Agriculture uses vertical farming techniques to improve food security through efficient, productive, and precision-controlled cultivation of high-value crops. The key benefits of this being an increase in yield, nutritional value, or medicinal compounds, in a minimal space.
New Controlled Environment Agriculture technology installed by the Smart Agriculture Cornwall team will include state-of-the-art molecular sensors, automation and robotics at three sites: The University of Plymouth's Plant Factory, Phytome and Rosewarne (Duchy College).
Plant Factory with LED lights
Dynamic lighting in the Plant Factory

Advancing Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA):
BBSRC-funded project

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) holds significant commercial importance in modern horticulture. Key to its success is the use of dynamic LED light fittings, which can be adjusted to reflect natural wavelengths, enabling customisation for specific crop needs.
Led by the University of Plymouth, in collaboration with the University of Highlands and Islands and business partner Phytome, this £1.7 million BBSRC-funded project aims to advance CEA technology with dynamic LED lighting systems, custom spectrophotometer sensors, and artificial intelligence systems.
 
 
 

International projects

More research from the Plant Factory

Our Plant Factory uses novel LED technology to grow crops in controlled hydroponic systems, providing solutions for health, food and water security.

Lettuces growing in the Plant Factory

Plant Factory Cornwall
Prototyping automated, programmable ‘light recipes’ to accurately deliver the necessary requirements for plants during their differing growth stages.

multi pipette research of cancer stem cells

Optimisation of Plant Factory systems
The production of clean pharmaceutical plant species with a stable, consistent concentration of important secondary metabolic products.

Plant Factory basil under LED lights

Improving energy efficiency of a Plant Factory
Using specific light spectra, can we grow plants at higher temperatures to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs?

Our people

Featured publications

Mohamed, S.J., Rihan, H.Z., Aljafer, N. and Fuller, M.P., 2021. The Impact of Light Spectrum and Intensity on the Growth, Physiology, and Antioxidant Activity of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Plants, 10(10), p.2162. DOI
Rihan, H.Z., Aldarkazali, M., Mohamed, S.J., McMulkin, N.B., Jbara, M.H. and Fuller, M.P., 2020. A Novel New Light Recipe Significantly Increases the Growth and Yield of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Grown in Plant Factory System. Agronomy, 10(7), p.934. DOI
Aldarkazali, M.; Rihan, H.Z.; Carne, D.; Fuller, M.P. 2019. The Growth and Development of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) and Bush Basil (Ocimum minimum) Grown under Three Light Regimes in a Controlled Environment. Agronomy. 9, 743. DOI
 

Contact us

If you have any queries, or would like to talk to us about any of the projects above, please contact Dr Hail Rihan .

Sustainable Food Production Research Group

At the University of Plymouth, our cross-disciplinary researchers study all aspects of food production and its impact on the natural environment.
Find out more about our plant and animal productive systems research, and how we are applying automation and sensor technology to ensure sustainable food production without compromising ecosystem services and biodiversity.
A tractor mowing a field in a coastal area