Intensive Agriculture Unit (Hydroponics).

摘要

A field test of Hydroponic Units was conducted at the US Naval Facility, Argentina, Newfoundland under United States Navy Requirement USN 5-4, Intensive Agriculture Unit. Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil using a nutrient solution. The units were environmentally controlled to temperature, humidity, and lighting wavelength and intensity. Salad portions (leaf lettuce, cukes, and tomatoes) were harvested daily for 200 personnel, two meals per day over a period of 18 months. Two naval personnel without agricultural background were trained and successfully operated the facility using standard operating procedures provided by the manufacturer. Operating costs were developed for the total operation to compare to estimates and costs derived by NLABS and the University of Connecticut.