Fancy Lettuce. (at various growing stages)

     

Strawberry plants.         

      

Tomatoes.

    

The Worlds first hydroponic Vertical Rotating Growing System (RGS) has been developed by A&B Hydroponics International Pty Ltd. The rotating system is a new hydroponic system that will produce crops such as strawberries in a more economically and cost effective method than previously used. This proven technology produces more kilograms of crop per square metre than ever before and can easily be transformed for use in growing many other crops such as lettuces, tomatoes flowers, all herb varieties, mushrooms and fodder for the live stock industry such as cattles, horses, coats etc.

In conditions where resources and land are expensive, the added cost of building greenhouses, heating, electricity, material and management can contribute to make the overall costs for growing crops hydroponically a prohibitive & expensive exercise. There are other problems such as positioning the system so that plants receive uniform exposure to sun light and to produce consistent yields. This can present a problem where hydroponics systems are not easy to move or a permanent fixture exists.

The Benefits

The R.G.S rotates 24/7 , with the flow of water that can be regulated by a small motor. Suitable for growing general vegetables, such as ice berg lettuces, fancy lettuce, strawberries, herbs, tomatoes to name a few. The R.G.S is supported with either 8,16,18 or 20 galvanised troughs, depending on the type of crop being grown. Also available is the Fodder Rotating Machine for further information please refer to the "Fodder page" above.

Typically, to produce approx 17,100 kilos of strawberries requires a land area, (traditional grower in hydroponics) of approximately 3000 m2, compared to the R.G.S where only 320 m2 is required. That is a saving of 90% in land costs, with further saving carried through onto site preparation, concrete flooring, greenhouse, connection of electricity and water to site.

There are many advantages of the R.G.S, they include

·         Greater yield return per square meter.

·         Smaller land area required producing the same volume of crop.

·         Smaller greenhouse, therefore savings on outer and inner material needed to complete Greenhouse

·         Better Management

·         Saving on running costs (ie. Heating, cooling, electricity) and

·         Ease of access to individual plants

   

Locations:                                     AUSTRALIA       UNITED ARAB EMIRATES                                                  

 

 

Fruit  &   Vegetables	Traditional Growers.  Average    Kilograms per m2.	Rotating Growing System Hydroponics - average m2. figures will vary on size of greenhouse	Percentage Increase	Increases in kilograms per m2.
Strawberries	5 - 8 kg m2	54 kg m2	800 %	48 kg
Ice berg Lettuce	72 kg m2	386 kg m2	436 %	364 kg
Tomatoes	45 kg m2	168 kg m2	273%	123 kg

 

                                  Following are examples, for each of the produce that can be produced within a 320m2 greenhouse.                                                                             (41 mtrs x 7.860 mtrs)    (134.5 feet x 25.8 feet). 

Ice Berg Lettuces 

(average weight 1 kg) 

   1,104 plants per RGS x 14 crops per annum.

 Producing 123,648 lettuces per annum = 123,648 kgs per annum.

 

Cos Lettuces

(average weight 750 grams)

1,104 plants per RGS x 14 crops per annum.

Producing 123,648 lettuces per annum = 92,736 kgs per annum.

 

Fancy Lettuces

(average weight 250 grams)

1,376 plants per RGS x 18 crops per annum.

Producing 198,144 lettuces per annum = 49,536 kgs per annum.

 

Boc Choy Lettuces

(average weight 300 grams)

1,824 plants per RGS x 20 crops per annum.

Producing 291,840 lettuces per annum = 87,552 kgs per annum.

 

Basil

(average weight 250 grams)

1,824 plants per RGS x 20 crops per annum.

Producing 291,840 lettuces per annum = 72,960 kgs per annum.

           

Strawberries

(grown 12 months of the year / average 600 grams per plant)

2,280 plants per RGS = 28,500 plants.

Producing 17,100 kgs per annum.

 

Tomatoes

(average weight 6 kg per plant)

256 plants per RGS x 3.5 crops per annum = 8,960 plants.

Producing 53,760 kgs per annum.

 

Melons

(average weight 8 kg per plant)

128 plants per RGS x  2.5 crops per annum = 3,200 plants.

Producing 25,600 kgs per annum.

 

Eggplants

(average weight 8 kg per plant)

128 plants per RGS x  2.5 crops per annum = 3,200 plants.

Producing 10,240 kgs per annum.

Capsicums

(average weight 7.5 kg per plant)

128 plants per RGS x  2.5 crops per annum = 3,200 plants.

Producing 24,000 kgs per annum.

Cucumbers

(average weight 9 kg per plant)

128 plants per RGS x  3.5 crops per annum =  4,480 plants.

Producing 40,320 kgs per annum.

 

Roses

160 plants per RGS x 40 rose flowers per plant.

Producing 64,000 rose flowers per annum. 

 

Herbs

 65mm x 85mm pots 

1,328 pots per RGS  x 17 crops.

Producing 225,760 herb pots per annum.