Researchers in Berkshire are trialling vertical aeroponic systems that grow crops without soil or natural sunlight, using full-spectrum LEDs and closed-loop irrigation. IAG claims these systems cut water use by roughly 98% while maintaining yields even during drought. AI and machine learning are used to model growth, predict yields and detect problems early. Critics note historical limits on crop variety and high electricity use, but firms say recent advances in LEDs and controls are improving energy efficiency and expanding what can be grown.
Inside Berkshire’s High-Tech Farms: Crops Grown Without Sunlight or Soil
Lettuce is being grown in the sealed, indoor environment [BBC]
In parts of rural Berkshire, researchers and engineers have moved arable crop production indoors into tightly controlled facilities as farmers seek greater resilience and efficiency.
Innovation Agritech Group (IAG) is growing plants on vertical aeroponic panels inside humid, sealed rooms illuminated by full-spectrum LED lights. The panels, about the size of a double mattress, suspend plants so their roots dangle in air and are fed by a fine nutrient mist rather than soil.
How the System Works
The facility uses closed-loop irrigation, automated environmental controls and machine learning to manage temperature, humidity, CO2, lighting and nutrient delivery with precision. IAG says these systems can cut water use by about 98% compared with traditional field agriculture and maintain stable yields even when outdoor conditions are poor.
“We control the humidity, the temperature, the CO2, the irrigation timing, the nutrient levels, the lighting,” said Laura Nelson, Research Manager at IAG. “All of this is managed precisely. If outdoor conditions are unsuitable for growing crops, we can still produce them here without affecting yields.”
AI And Monitoring
Researchers use AI and machine-learning models to simulate plant growth responses, predict yields and detect anomalies such as early disease spread or system faults. PhD student and plant scientist Felix Trimmer explained that by modelling how plants react to variable changes, algorithms can recommend adjustments and identify problems almost in real time.
“We can model plant growth, tweak variables and train machine-learning algorithms to predict how a change will affect yield,” Trimmer said. “This also helps us detect disease or equipment issues early and simplify maintenance.”
Benefits, Limits And Energy Considerations
Proponents point to resilience during drought, dramatic reductions in water use and the ability to expand production year-round. Critics — including a Defra-commissioned report from March 2023 — have argued that traditional vertical farming has focused mainly on herbs and leafy greens and that energy consumption can be high.
IAG acknowledges the historical focus on non-fruiting crops but says advances in controlled-environment technology mean soft fruits and protein crops are now being grown successfully. The company also argues that improvements in LED efficiency and environmental control systems have reduced electricity required per unit of produce.
Independent analysis remains important: while water savings and reliable yields are compelling, the overall sustainability of indoor aeroponics depends on the electricity source, lifetime energy efficiency, and the economics of scaling production of a wider range of crops.
What This Means For Farmers
For regions facing drought or increasingly volatile weather, controlled-environment agriculture offers a complementary option to field farming rather than a complete replacement. As technologies such as LEDs, sensors and AI improve, indoor systems could expand the variety of crops grown and reduce resource use — but trade-offs around cost and energy must be considered.
Context: The move to indoor growing in Berkshire comes amid a declared drought and growing interest in climate-resilient farming methods.
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