A New Approach to Vertical Plant Cultivation Maximises Crop Efficiency

Abstract

This publication presents an innovative tower cultivation device designed to significantly increase vertical farming’s efficiency. The device divides the cultivation system into separate chambers. One division corresponds to the different growth phases of the plants, while another reflects the daily variation in conditions. Each chamber presents slightly different conditions and cultivation patterns from the others. For the early stages, crops are grown horizontally in trays; once they mature, they are transplanted into mobile cultivation towers. The closed circulation of ventilation and irrigation reduces water consumption by up to 95%. A unique separate day–night division optimises light, temperature, and humidity conditions, mimicking natural growth patterns. This approach not only saves water and energy but also improves cultivation in a three-dimensional space. The presented solution focuses on the often-overlooked aspects of cultivating in vertical farms and makes this method of growing much more cost-effective and feasible to implement on a large scale. Our comparative analysis with other vertical farming solutions is based on publicly available data and provides valuable insights, while acknowledging the potential limitations at play.

1. Introduction

It is estimated that the world population will exceed 9 billion people by 2050, the vast majority of whom will live in cities [1,2]. The global warming currently observed in many regions of the world leads to water shortages and, consequently, to a decline in agricultural production and even hunger. Moreover, about 30% of all agricultural production is wasted [3,4]—the main reasons for this are the long food supply chain and its waste by final recipients, i.e., individual consumers, restaurants, and shops. In order to compensate for the loss, the agricultural industry must produce much more than our actual needs.

Vertical farming, an innovative agricultural concept, traces its roots back to antiquity, with the Semiramida Hanging Gardens in Babylon, Iraq, serving as an early example of vertical cultivation. The modern interpretation of vertical farming was conceptualised by D. Despommier [5,6]. Vertical farms, also known as “vertical farmers”, provide an alternative to traditional horizontal farming by multiplying agricultural layers vertically. This approach conserves horizontal space while maintaining or even increasing the total area available for agriculture. Vertical farms aim to produce high-quality food for larger populations in an environmentally friendly manner [7,8]. By stacking plants one above the other, vertical farms optimise farming space and enable crop production even in urban centres.

One of the key advantages of vertical farming is its control over environmental conditions [9]. Plants are grown indoors in specially designed facilities, minimising the influence of external weather. This allows for year-round cultivation regardless of climate, reducing the risk of crop damage from adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, wind, or hail [10,11]. As a result, vertical farms can achieve significantly higher yields per unit area compared to traditional farms. Moreover, vertical farming may employ soilless growing techniques using nutrient-rich water solutions, either through submersion or spraying, with plant roots partially exposed to enhance oxygen absorption [12,13]. This closed-loop system conserves water efficiently, making vertical farming a sustainable and resource-saving agricultural method (Figure 1).

The most common modern vertical farming technologies are as follows:

(1)

In terms of environments:

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Hydroponics: This method uses nutrient-rich water to deliver nutrients directly to plant roots, eliminating the need for soil. It is one of the most common methods used in vertical farming. Hydroponics, specifically containerised vertical farming, involves growing plants in vertical layers within mobile shipping containers. A 2023 study by D. Mahalingam et al. [14] explored the automation of farming operations like transplantation and harvesting using collaborative robots (cobots). This approach, which requires just a single demonstration from a farmer, has shown the feasibility of cobots performing tasks without specific programming.

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Aeroponics: In this system, plants are grown in an air or mist environment without the use of soil. Nutrient-rich water is misted directly onto the plant roots. Aeroponics is a method where plants are grown without soil, with nutrient-rich water provided to the suspended roots via an atomised spray system. A study by Narasegowda and Kumar in 2022 characterised spray nozzles based on parameters like spray drift, height, angle, width, and droplet sizes. This research is pivotal for selecting the appropriate spray system for specific canopies and can be beneficial for controlled agricultural practises in greenhouses and apartment rooms [15].

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Aquaponics: This is a combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics. The waste from the fish provides nutrients for the plants, and the plants help filter and clean the water, which is then recirculated back to the fish tanks. Aquaponics combines vegetable and fish farming in a single water loop, offering a sustainable approach to urban development and food production. Traditional systems often require manual intervention for water circulation and quality control. However, a 2023 study by Agrawal et al. introduced a Cyber Physical Aquaponics (CyPhA) system [16]. This system, which has been successfully operated for 75 days, uses sensors for various water parameters and provides LED-based alerts when critical conditions arise.

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Soil-based vertical farming: While less common, some vertical farms use traditional soil as a growing medium, stacking plants in layers.

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Hybrid system: usually combining aeroponics and hydroponics approaches.

(2)

In terms of the mechanical systems used:

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Stationary: plants are grown in stationary horizontal trays.

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Rotating vertical farms: plants are placed on a rotating conveyor system, ensuring that all plants receive equal amounts of light and nutrients.

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Tower: vertical systems where plants are grown in a tower-like structure. They can be used in both hydroponic and aeroponic systems.

One of the primary advantages of vertical farming is the ability to cultivate plants in highly controlled environments, optimising conditions for faster maturity and enhanced yields compared to traditional farming [17]. However, the energy-intensive nature of vertical farming poses significant challenges. Recent research has delved into optimising wheat growth, focusing on efficient resource utilisation to maximise net profit and annual yield. Aeroponics, a subset of vertical farming, eliminates the need for soil, instead relying on an atomised spray system to deliver nutrient-rich water directly to suspended roots [18]. This method’s efficiency is contingent on the precise characterisation of spray nozzles, which influence water distribution and droplets’ interaction with plant roots. Technological advancements have further enhanced the precision and efficiency of vertical farming. The integration of robotics, such as hybrid robots equipped with cameras and manipulators, facilitates high-accuracy plant monitoring in vertical hydroponic farms [19]. Such innovations enable non-destructive plant mass estimation, providing valuable insights into plant growth dynamics [20,21]. The potential of vertical farming extends beyond large-scale commercial operations. Studies have explored the feasibility of urban farming within residential buildings, utilising 3D city models to identify suitable micro-locations based on photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) levels [22]. Such approaches highlight the scalability and adaptability of vertical farming techniques. Lastly, the Modular Automated Crop Array Online System presents an open hardware system designed for plant transport in automated horticulture settings, including vertical farms [23]. This system underlines the potential of automation in reducing labour costs and enhancing operational efficiency in vertical farming.

Vertical farming allows for year-round cultivation, overcoming environmental limitations and ensuring food security. However, one of the challenges it faces is its high energy consumption. Since all available solutions for vertical plant cultivation can only work in one climate, their water and energy consumption is economically unjustified due to the need to change the climate in the module. This is why the authors present a novel approach here. The proposed solution to this problem is the construction of a system of vertical farms with modular rotating towers, in which plants are grown in strictly controlled physical and chemical conditions and move from one chamber (day) to the second one (night) on rotating towers. The presented invention focuses on the often overlooked aspects of cultivating in vertical farms and makes this method of growing more cost-effective and feasible to implement on a large scale. The currently dominant solutions for micro- and small-scale vertical farming allow crops to be grown in a fully controlled environment. Still, due to their high initial cost (Capex) and high operating costs (Opex), they are only an adjunct to cheaper food produced by incumbent methods (mainly in greenhouses) [24,25].

2. Materials and Methods

In the literature, there is only one report of a maturation zone in vertical farms which works both as a daytime/nighttime zone for a certain amount of time in 24 h period [26]. In the authors’ system, the above-mentioned problem is solved by using a day and night division system. Because the “day” zone is lit and the “night” zone is unlit, the life of the lighting system is extended. This is due to the fact that there is no need to turn the lighting on and off, taking into account the well-being of the plants. The system’s irrigation and energy consumption are economically justified due to the fact that similar conditions are maintained in each zone at all times. The use of the tower rotation system allows proper light emission to reach each plant. The essence of the system, depicted in Figure 2, is that the plants are grown in a day–night system. The vertical farming module is divided into two modules: day and night, in a 2:1 ratio. This is a reflection of the natural growth mode of cultivated plants. The plants are exposed to light for 16 h, after which they are transported to the night zone for another 8 h. Then, they are transported back to the irradiated zone (climate module “day”). There is an opening and closing partition between the two zones, separating them. The “day” climate module is characterised by a lighting panel working 24 h a day, which makes its service life longer than in vertical farms, which are not divided in such a way.

Following Figure 2, the plants are placed in pots (11), with at least one plant per pot. These pots are arranged at an angle within a structure called a tower (6). The system includes many towers, each containing at least 10 pots. Each tower is equipped with a trolley or tower cart (10) that allows it to move along rails suspended from the ceiling (4). The towers move in a straight line, but they can change direction by 90 degrees using a track change mechanism (12). This allows the plants to be transported to different climatic zones (1 or 2). Climate zones are separated by a roller shutter or sliding doors (7), which have insulating and thermal properties. The movement of the roller shutters is enabled by the sliding system within the module (9).

Moreover, access to each plant in the module is equally easy, and the tower suspension system itself allows the towers to reach the front door (see Figure 3), thus increasing the ergonomics of the entire system. The “day–night” mode is possible thanks to the moving tower system and the shutter, which separates climate zones, thermally isolates them, and reflects the light emitted by the illumination system. The device for separating the climate zones is a flat surface with an insulating layer and good thermal-isolation properties.

Nevertheless, the most important construction challenge in the proposed vertical farms is to provide plants with the most appropriate lighting and climatic conditions (Figure 4). The use of rotating towers, as opposed to classic shelves, allows us not only to increase the ergonomics but also efficacy, yield and further automation of the system.

Plants pass through successive chambers in the cultivation cycle. Each chamber is designed to optimise the entire process, on the one hand, and to rationalise the space and the use of necessary materials and equipment, on the other. Chamber A1 (“day”) represents conditions during the day, which always lasts 16 h. Chamber A2 (“night”) imitates night and the plants stay there for 8 h in a 24 h cycle. By using an airtight partition between the chambers and a suitable ventilation system, it is possible to create conditions that allow for the optimum variation in humidity, temperature and CO₂ concentration. The multi-chamber cultivation system creates the possibility of varying the conditions in each chamber so that the plants receive exactly what they need at each stage of growth (

Table 1. Vertical farming cultivation system with a day–night chamber feature.

Chamber Name	Human Interaction	Light	Temp.	Humidity	Irrigation	Plant Position	Days in the Chamber
Loading	Yes	No	Fixed	Fixed	N/A	Horizontally	N/A
Germination	No	No	Fixed	Fixed	EbbFlow	Horizontally	3–5
Propagation	No	Yes	Variable	Variable	Ebb&Flow	Horizontally	20–24
A1—towers’—daytime	No	Yes	Fixed	Fixed	Dripping	Vertically	20–24
A2—towers’—nighttime	No	No	Fixed	Variable	Dripping	Vertically
Exit	Yes	Yes	Fixed	Fixed	NFT	Horizontally	2

). This improves both the cultivation process and optimises electricity consumption.

The operator places new trays filled with substrate in the loading chamber. There are enough of them to run continuously for at least 21 days. Robot 1 picks up the trays with the substrate and moves them to the automatic sowing unit. In the next step, they are placed in the germination chamber for a period of 3 to 5 days. After germination, the robot moves the trays from the germination chamber to the propagation chamber, where they will remain for approximately 21 days. The trays are placed in cuvettes. Each cuvette holds 10 trays. After a given period, the robot picks up the tray and transfers it to the lift, which moves it up to chamber A1. In chamber A1, robot 2 takes individual plants from the tray to the cultivation towers. The plants in the cultivation towers are moved between chambers A1 and A2, with 16 h spent in chamber A1 and 8 h in chamber A2 over a day (Figure 5). After a certain period, the robot pulls the plants out of the cultivation towers and moves them in the dispensing chamber, where they spend another 48 h, after which they are collected by the operator.

3. Results

The results of this study provide an analysis of the performance and efficiency of our farm system (named Muke), and particularly its unique automated tower modules. These modules are designed to optimise plant growth by allowing the vertical towers to rotate between day and night chambers, maintaining an ideal cultivation cycle. Our findings focus on several key aspects, including the impact of this system on plant health, resource usage (water and energy), and overall yield. The following sections outline the specific outcomes of these experiments, comparing them to traditional farming methods and highlighting the advantages of the system.

The key element that distinguishes our farm system from the competition is a system of automated tower modules which allows the towers to be moved between the A1 (day) and A2 (night) chambers. In the analysing module, there are 39 towers, of which 26 are in chamber A1 and 13 in chamber A2 at any one time. The towers, together with the plants, are moved every 8 h, ensuring that the 16/8 cultivation cycle is maintained, which is optimal for most of the leafy greens and fresh herbs studied and provides the best quality-to-growth-rate ratio. By moving the towers three times a day and performing a full cycle during this time, there are no dead zones where unwanted microorganisms, pathogens or moulds can develop. This also reduces the risk of shading one plant with another, which can consequently lead to uneven growth and suboptimal cultivation. In addition, by moving the towers, it is possible to photograph each plant once a day and, based on that image’s analysis, estimate its welfare, weight, and size. Ultimately, the system will, based on this information, decide whether the plant is ready to be harvested or removed in the event of problems or underperformance.

In standard lettuce cultivation conducted in open-field conditions, the estimated water requirement is 250 ± 25 dm³/kg/year, with an achieved yield of 3.9 ± 0.21 kg/m²/year (equating to a water dose of 60 dm³ per 1 kg of fresh mass). The water consumption analysis begins once the plants reach their full cultivation cycle. This means that approximately 930 lettuce plants at various stages of maturity were continuously cultivated in chambers A1 and A2. Additionally, about 1200 plants at different maturity stages were cultivated simultaneously in the propagation chamber. This indicates that at any given moment, around 2100 lettuces were growing in the module, from those just sown to those mature and ready for harvest. Due to the specific nature of vertical farming in these modules, a lettuce weighing 140–150 g is considered mature and ready for harvest. The average time required to reach this weight was 46 days. Each day, a similar number of lettuces were sown and harvested. Differences between sowing and harvesting arose due to the fact that about 5% of the plants either did not germinate or died at an early stage. The experiment lasted 46 days. Around 302.4 kg of fresh mass was harvested. During this time, 1549.3 L of water was used, resulting in an average of 5.12 l of water per 1 kg of fresh mass. The Muke module’s dimensions are 2.52 × 1.00 × 2.97 m, resulting in a volume of 7.49 m³. Its annual lettuce production is 16,790 units. Therefore, its production efficiency is calculated as 16,790/7.49, which equals approximately 2240 lettuces per cubic metre per year (

Table 2. Retail VF Muke 39W140h vs. FreightFarms Greenery S—the data were obtained directly from Muke’s documents, which refers to the 8-month pilot project of Muke Retail Farm 39W140h and [27,28].

	Muke 39W140h	Greenery S
Energy per 1 kg of produce	7.63 kWh	14.20 kWh (approx)
Annual yield of lettuce (heads approx. 150 g) per 1 m3	2240	597 (approx)
Monthly labour hours required to operate farm	4	140

).

During the experimental studies, three Supla power-consumption-meters installed in the module recorded a total usage of 2310.12 kWh. Of this, lighting accounted for 1153.31 kWh (49,9%), HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems consumed 932.95 kWh (40.4%), and automation and irrigation systems used 223.86 kWh (9.7%). Measurements were conducted over 46 days, resulting in an average daily consumption of 50.22 kWh. During this time, exactly 2116 lettuces were harvested, with a total weight of 302.59 kg. This indicates that approximately 7.63 kWh was required to produce 1 kg of lettuce. The room housing the module was air-conditioned, maintaining a temperature range of 20–22 °C. The module was equipped with a 120 L nutrient solution tank, which was connected to the mains water supply through a reverse osmosis system. The water consumption meter, placed before the tank’s inlet, indicated an average daily usage of approximately 33.7 L of water. After 46 days, the total water consumption reached 1549.25 L. The environmental conditions used for the different growth stages in various chambers, including light intensity, temperature, humidity and CO₂ concentration, are summarised in

Table 3. The environmental conditions used across different growth stages in various chambers for the plants, including light, temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentration.

Chamber	Light			Temperature [°C]	Humidity [%]	CO2 Concentration [ppm]
	Duration [h/Day]	Intensity [μmol·m−2·s−1]	Ratio of Red/Blue
Germination	N/A	N/A	N/A	21–22	80–90	N/A
Propagation	16	250	55/45	20–21 day; 17–18 night	55–60 day; 75–85 night	550–650 day; 600–700 night
A1— daytime	16	250–270	70/30	20–21	55–60	650–750
A2—nighttime	N/A	N/A	N/A	18–19	80–95	700–800
Exit	24	250	15/85	21–22	50–55	450–550

.

To provide a comprehensive comparison, data from Freight Farms were sourced directly from the manufacturer and used to analyse key metrics such as labour requirements, electricity consumption, and space efficiency. Freight Farms data were sourced directly from the manufacturer and are publicly available on their website. It is important to note that while the comparative analysis provided in this study is based on data sourced from publicly available information, we need to acknowledge the potential limitations of using such data. The ranges and figures obtained from open sources may vary due to differences in operational practises, environmental conditions, and the potential promotional biases inherent in the sources. As such, while these data provide valuable insights into the economic efficiency of different vertical farming systems, they should be viewed as estimations rather than precise measurements. For August 2024, the manufacturer states that the weekly time commitment required to operate the farm ranges from 25 to 35 h. For the purpose of this analysis, a commitment of 32 h per week was assumed. Another value analysed is the electricity consumption per kilogramme of fresh lettuce mass. According to the manufacturer’s website, their system’s average daily consumption in Performance Mode is between 191 and 350 kWh. For this analysis, a consumption of 300 kWh per day was assumed, resulting in an annual consumption of 109,652 kWh. The manufacturer reports a weekly lettuce yield of 990 heads (based on a 4-week growing cycle in the growing panels). A similar time frame is required by our modules for the lettuce to reach a weight of approximately 150 g. Based on this assumption, their annual production is estimated at 51,480 heads of lettuce, which corresponds to 7722 kg of fresh mass. Therefore, it can be calculated that producing 1 kg of fresh mass requires 14.2 kWh of electricity. Regarding the efficiency of the utilisation of three-dimensional space, the Greenery S container has dimensions of 12.19 × 2.44 × 2.9 m, giving it a volume of 86.26 m³. With an annual lettuce production of 51,480 heads, this results in a yield of nearly 597 heads of lettuce per cubic metre (Table 2).

This is a comparison of two small-scale vertical farm solutions, similar in their approach to the cultivation itself. In both cases, the plants are grown horizontally in trays in the first phase of their growth, before being transplanted into cultivation towers and grown vertically. What is apparent from the table is the significant differences in efficiency between the two solutions. Muke’s optimised solution not only uses around half the energy required to produce the same weight of plants but it also uses a smaller space. The FreightFarms solution requires 3.75 times more space to achieve the same yield. In cities, which have dense and expensive space, this aspect of efficient space use is particularly important. A comparison of the time required to operate the farms monthly clearly shows that automated cultivation appears to be the only sensible solution in areas where labour is limited and expensive.

4. Discussion

Traditional agricultural practises face numerous challenges, including limited land availability, water scarcity, climate change, and a growing global population. Vertical farming offers a promising solution by enabling the cultivation of plants in a vertically stacked or inclined arrangement, typically in indoor environments. This approach maximises space utilisation and optimises resource efficiency while reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. Vertical farming offers several advantages over traditional agriculture. Firstly, it allows year-round cultivation, independent of weather conditions, making it less vulnerable to climate change and ensuring a continuous food supply. Secondly, it significantly reduces land usage, as multiple layers of plants can be grown in a single vertical structure. Thirdly, it conserves water by recycling and reusing it within the system. Additionally, vertical farming minimises the need for pesticides and herbicides, promotes efficient energy usage, and minimises transportation distances, leading to reduced carbon emissions. Table 4 provides an overview of the key features of the device, including climate control, water efficiency, and accessibility and ergonomics.

However, the additional value of the presented system is that it is a multi-chamber cultivation system, which allows for the following:

• A reduction in initial investment costs, mainly due to a 30% reduction in the lighting installation needed compared to other vertical farming solutions.
• The efficient use of the available cultivation space, allowing for an increase in the total production in a given space. This is particularly important where space is limited and expensive.
• A reduction in the amount of materials and equipment needed for construction.

Table 4. Key features of our vertical farming system with day–night chambers.

Feature	Description
Device Overview	The system consists of a tower structure divided into two modules: day and night, in a 2:1 ratio, aligning with natural plant growth patterns by providing 16 h of light followed by 8 h of darkness. The day module is illuminated 24/7 to extend the lifespan of the lighting system.
Climate Control	The day and night modules create distinct climate conditions, with the day module simulating daytime (lighting, temperature, humidity) and the night module simulating post-sunset conditions. This ensures that plants receive optimal conditions throughout their growth cycle.
Water Efficiency	Features a closed ventilation and irrigation circuit, leading to a 95% reduction in water consumption compared to traditional farming methods. The closed-loop system recirculates water, minimising wastage and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Accessibility and Ergonomics	The module has been constructed based on three principles: Modularity and ease of transportation—the semi-prepared farm is assembled on-site by a team of two within 1 day. Comfort of handling—the feeding zone, located in the lower front part, allows for the quick and easy loading of new trays with substrate and the removal of used ones. The dispensing zone, located at the front of the module and at a height of 100 to 180 cm, allows for the easy collection of plants ready for sale, without any need for ladders or platforms. Ease of ongoing maintenance and repair—the replacement of any technical device in the module can be carried out by one technician in no more than 3 h.

Table 4. Key features of our vertical farming system with day–night chambers.

Feature	Description
Device Overview	The system consists of a tower structure divided into two modules: day and night, in a 2:1 ratio, aligning with natural plant growth patterns by providing 16 h of light followed by 8 h of darkness. The day module is illuminated 24/7 to extend the lifespan of the lighting system.
Climate Control	The day and night modules create distinct climate conditions, with the day module simulating daytime (lighting, temperature, humidity) and the night module simulating post-sunset conditions. This ensures that plants receive optimal conditions throughout their growth cycle.
Water Efficiency	Features a closed ventilation and irrigation circuit, leading to a 95% reduction in water consumption compared to traditional farming methods. The closed-loop system recirculates water, minimising wastage and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Accessibility and Ergonomics	The module has been constructed based on three principles: Modularity and ease of transportation—the semi-prepared farm is assembled on-site by a team of two within 1 day. Comfort of handling—the feeding zone, located in the lower front part, allows for the quick and easy loading of new trays with substrate and the removal of used ones. The dispensing zone, located at the front of the module and at a height of 100 to 180 cm, allows for the easy collection of plants ready for sale, without any need for ladders or platforms. Ease of ongoing maintenance and repair—the replacement of any technical device in the module can be carried out by one technician in no more than 3 h.

5. Limitations

While our study provides an insightful analysis based on available open-source data from the other systems, it is important to acknowledge the inherent limitations associated with such data. The variability and potential biases present in these sources may affect the precision of our comparisons. As a result, the findings should be interpreted as indicative rather than definitive. To address these limitations, future work will focus on conducting direct experimental comparisons between the proposed vertical farming system and traditional methods under controlled conditions. These experiments will aim to validate the economic efficiency and performance metrics observed in this study, providing more robust and scientifically grounded conclusions. Additionally, we plan to explore the impact of different environmental variables and plant species on the performance of our system. This will further refine our understanding of its applicability across a broader range of crops and cultivation scenarios.

In general, high initial capital investment, operational costs, and energy requirements are significant barriers to the widespread adoption of vertical farming systems [29,30]. Technical challenges, such as optimising lighting, temperature, humidity, and nutrient delivery systems, must be addressed for optimal plant growth. Additionally, the limited variety of crops suitable for vertical farming and the lack of standardised industry practises pose challenges to its scalability. Vertical farming systems are currently the most suitable for certain types of crops, such as leafy greens, herbs, and microgreens. The limited variety of crops that can be economically cultivated using this approach poses a challenge for achieving agricultural diversity. Moreover, an important issue is ensuring appropriate operating parameters, process repeatability, and functional reliability while ensuring an ergonomic layout that facilitates operation and servicing. The arrangement of components must take into account the role and impact of individual elements on other elements of the system. However, ongoing research and development efforts are expanding the range of crops suitable for vertical farming, including fruits, vegetables, and even certain root crops. Establishing consistent regulatory frameworks, quality standards, and industry certifications are essential for promoting the widespread adoption and commercial viability of vertical farming systems. Collaboration between academia, industry stakeholders, and policymakers is crucial in developing these standards.

6. Conclusions

Vertical farming has emerged as a sustainable approach to plant cultivation, offering numerous advantages over traditional farming methods. By maximising resource efficiency, reducing land usage, and providing year-round crop production, vertical farming has the potential to revolutionise food production and address the challenges of a growing global population. However, vertical farming faces significant challenges, the primary of which is its high energy consumption. Existing solutions for vertical plant cultivation are limited to functioning in a single climate, which leads to frequent on–off cycles of the lighting system, reducing its lifespan. Additionally, the continuous need to modify the module’s climate results in economically inefficient water and energy usage. Thus, the device for tower plant cultivation introduced in this publication addresses the key challenges in this area. We proposed a solution which is a system of vertical farms with modular rotating towers, in which plants are grown in strictly controlled physical and chemical conditions and move from one chamber (day) to a second one (night) on rotating towers. This multi-chamber approach includes a day–night system, optimising climate conditions, conserving water resources, and enabling the cultivation of multiple plant species, allowing this solution to significantly enhance crop efficiency. Furthermore, the extended lifespan of the lighting system and improved ergonomics make this device a promising tool for sustainable and diverse agricultural production.

The presented device holds great potential in advancing agriculture towards a more sustainable and efficient future. The system achieved a high yield with lower resource consumption: 7.63 kWh of energy and 5.12 L of water per kilogramme of lettuce, outperforming the comparison system, which required 14.2 kWh per kilogramme. Additionally, the Muke system’s efficient use of space and reduced labour needs make it particularly suitable for urban environments with limited space and high workforce costs. Notably, based on publicly available data, our comparative analysis provides valuable insights but acknowledges potential limitations. Future work will focus on validating these findings through controlled experiments.

The practical importance of this research results from the growing population, ongoing urbanisation processes, the degradation of the natural environment, shrinking areas used for agriculture, and ongoing climate changes. Mobile, dispersed cultivation modules produce food regardless of the surrounding natural environment, and their compact dimensions, high efficiency, and automation of cultivation allow them to be placed in places of the final sale or consumption of food, i.e., food supermarkets or restaurants. The need for sustainable agricultural practises has led to increased interest in vertical farming. This proposed vertical farming system offers significant advantages in resource conservation and year-round cultivation, thus taking vertical farming to the next level by addressing the key limitations of existing systems.