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Comparison of Land, Water, and Energy Requirements of Lettuce Grown Using Hydroponic vs. Conventional Agricultural Methods

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  • Guilherme Lages Barbosa

    (School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5904, USA)

  • Francisca Daiane Almeida Gadelha

    (School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5904, USA)

  • Natalya Kublik

    (School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5904, USA)

  • Alan Proctor

    (School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5904, USA)

  • Lucas Reichelm

    (School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5904, USA)

  • Emily Weissinger

    (School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5904, USA)

  • Gregory M. Wohlleb

    (School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5904, USA)

  • Rolf U. Halden

    (School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5904, USA
    Center for Environmental Security, The Biodesign Institute, Global Security Initiative, Arizona State University, 781 E. Terrace Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287-5904, USA)

Abstract

The land, water, and energy requirements of hydroponics were compared to those of conventional agriculture by example of lettuce production in Yuma, Arizona, USA. Data were obtained from crop budgets and governmental agricultural statistics, and contrasted with theoretical data for hydroponic lettuce production derived by using engineering equations populated with literature values. Yields of lettuce per greenhouse unit (815 m 2 ) of 41 ± 6.1 kg/m 2 /y had water and energy demands of 20 ± 3.8 L/kg/y and 90,000 ± 11,000 kJ/kg/y (±standard deviation), respectively. In comparison, conventional production yielded 3.9 ± 0.21 kg/m 2 /y of produce, with water and energy demands of 250 ± 25 L/kg/y and 1100 ± 75 kJ/kg/y, respectively. Hydroponics offered 11 ± 1.7 times higher yields but required 82 ± 11 times more energy compared to conventionally produced lettuce. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first quantitative comparison of conventional and hydroponic produce production by example of lettuce grown in the southwestern United States. It identified energy availability as a major factor in assessing the sustainability of hydroponics, and it points to water-scarce settings offering an abundance of renewable energy (e.g., from solar, geothermal, or wind power) as particularly attractive regions for hydroponic agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Guilherme Lages Barbosa & Francisca Daiane Almeida Gadelha & Natalya Kublik & Alan Proctor & Lucas Reichelm & Emily Weissinger & Gregory M. Wohlleb & Rolf U. Halden, 2015. "Comparison of Land, Water, and Energy Requirements of Lettuce Grown Using Hydroponic vs. Conventional Agricultural Methods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:6:p:6879-6891:d:51199
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katherine Killebrew & Hendrik Wolff, 2010. "Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Technologies," Working Papers UWEC-2011-01, University of Washington, Department of Economics.
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