Current status and future direction of plant factory(Science Saloon)

Abstract

Plant factory is a plant production system where the cultivation space is isolated from outside. The environmental factors for plant growth are artificially controlled and the plant production can be performed through the year in the plant factory. Total amount of vegetable production, which have a feature of non-agricultural chemicals, and stable production and uniformity in size and shape, in plant factories is getting increased. On the other hand, research for producing the raw materials for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics has been attempted, and some results were achieved. This article describes the current status and the future challenges of plant factory.