A New Technique for Roof-Top Soil-Less Cultivation of Vegetable Sprouts

Abstract

The author designed a new device for growing vegetable sprouts and ornamental plants by combining greenhouse design and soil-less cultivation technology together with houses construction, aiming at saving arable land and energy by rapidly producing sprouts or flowers through vertical cultivation by installing the new device on the roof-top of houses in rural areas. Taking into consideration of design ideas, technological process, and the selection of raw materials, along with their practical value and future prospects, the author construct a double-layered, vertically cultivated vaulting greenhouse. As a result, the use of soil-less cultivation techniques on the roofs of houses in the Chinese countryside shows promise as a potential solution to deal with the shortage of arable land. This new cultivation technique may be more effective in promoting agricultural productivity and sustainable development of the economy and society since it can take full advantage of available resources in order to achieve a more economical and intensive use of land. There are three major benefits with roof-top agriculture: First, by using greenhouses located on the tops of roofs, a grower can maximize his utilization of sunlight. Second, roof-top agriculture doesn’t require any additional arable land. Third, the vegetables can be planted all year-round. The life circle of crops was shortened and productivity was promoted. The application of the technology will significantly increase economic efficiency and practical value of the idle roof-tops of houses in rural and suburban areas.