Urban Barns Announces Update on NSERC CRD Research and Development at McGill University
MONTREAL, QB / ACCESSWIRE / December 18, 2014 / Urban Barns Foods Inc. (URBF) ("Urban Barns"), an innovative food producer dedicated to growing consistent, healthy and fresh vegetables year round using its proprietary Cubic Farming(TM) method, today provides its shareholders with an update on its research and development (R&D) activities at McGill University.
In its yearly update to Urban Barns the Biomass Production Laboratory research team at McGill University reported that research jointly sponsored by Urban Barns and an NSERC Cooperative Research & Development (CRD) grant is being used to design and test optimum light emitting diode (LED) light bars to maximize production and reduce energy costs in the Cubic Farming(TM) system of Urban Barns. The focus of the NSERC research is optimizing light emitting diodes to assess photosynthetically active radiation efficiency (PAR curve) of horticultural plants using different wavelengths of LED at both low and high irradiance levels. To support this basic research a Cubic Farming(TM) unit is operating on the Macdonald Campus of McGill University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
In addition to the research being undertaken as a part of the NSERC CRD grant, researchers are focused on expanding the range of horticultural crops being grown on the Cubic Farming(TM) system to include bell peppers, tomatoes, and strawberries. Four new trough designs are being tested to support these fruiting crops. Researchers also report that new biological rooting substrates that can be easily incorporated into the Cubic Farming(TM) system are being tested to replace non-biodegradable rockwool. This ongoing research has had very promising results with several different substrate materials that are all biodegradable.
Dr. Mark Lefsrud is the principal investigator and team leader with expertise on the use of LED lighting in greenhouse environments. The research team includes Dr. Valerie Gravel, Assistant Professor in Plant Science, and includes 10 research support professionals including graduates, undergraduates and research associates, with expertise split between the engineering and horticultural aspects of the project. The team is focused on performing research on methods and technologies to grow food and other plants in a more energy-efficient manner while also attempting to improve the nutritional value of the food grown.
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