Scientific research trends for plant factory with artificial lighting: scoping review

Abstract

Plant Factory With Artificial Lighting consists of a protected horticulture system in controlled environment facilities, in combination with various levels of growing surface and factors such as lighting, cultivation system, crop nutrition, and energy efficiency. The objective of this study was to identify in published scientific articles the current topics addressed, the potentialities and challenges identified, and their future position on the this system. This is a scoping review of 49 articles published in scientific journals that answered the research question “What are the topics addressed in the Journal Article on Plant Factory With Artificial Lighting?” from 2015 to 2022. The reviewed articles demonstrated that the development of alternatives for cultivation methods, lighting systems with variation of light spectrum, irrigation systems, and new technologies for the production chain, aimed at increasing production capacity, is a trend. They also indicated that, although the Plant Factory With Artificial Lightning has shown potential for the production of several crops, technical and economic optimization requires greater attention, pointing out that technological development and production methods are fundamental factors to establish the system as an alternative of agricultural production in sustainable urban centers.