Beneficios de la implementación de un sistema de cultivo vertical al interior de contenedores para la producción de lechugas en el departamento de Cundinamarca.

Abstract

The research addresses the evolution of vertical farming systems in agriculture, highlighting their impact on domestic vegetable and forage cultivation, as well as their application in greenhouses and research centers. An innovative idea for vertical vegetable cultivation in the department of Cundinamarca is presented, inspired by a stand at Agroexpo 2021 in Bogotá, where the company Sáenz Fety exhibited a maritime cargo container converted into a greenhouse for the production of Cherry tomatoes and miniature cucumbers. Initially considered futuristic, this proposal has sparked interest due to its potential, motivating its inclusion in this research to evaluate its utility and efficiency compared to traditional horizontal cultivation. Lettuce is selected as the test crop due to its fast growth, ease of cultivation in greenhouses, and compatibility with vertical farming systems like the container presented at the fair. A detailed analysis of lettuce cultivation in Cundinamarca will be conducted, various types of container-based vertical farming systems will be studied, and the performance of lettuce in these systems will be compared with traditional horizontal cultivation.