The present invention relates to a plant factory, which provides the following effects. The mesh-shaped floor is formed through the layer division support frame in the cultivation chamber, and the floor is divided into the cultivation layers having a multi-layered structure of two or more layers, thereby minimizing input resources and maximizing space and energy utilization efficiencies. In addition, a horizontal airflow is generally formed in each of the cultivation layers divided by the cultivation chamber air circulation supply unit, and an interlayer circulation airflow is formed between the respective cultivation layers divided by the mesh-shaped floor through the interlayer air circulation unit, and the cultivation table air supply unit creates a planting layer vertical descending air flow divided inside the cultivation table, which evenly improves the airflow rate regardless of the place in the cultivation chamber, reducing the deviation in temperature and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) concentration, and the net photosynthetic rate and plant may increase productivity by increasing the speed of growth.

The present invention relates to a plant factory, which provides the following effects. The mesh-shaped floor is formed through the layer division support frame in the cultivation chamber, and the floor is divided into the cultivation layers having a multi-layered structure of two or more layers, thereby minimizing input resources and maximizing space and energy utilization efficiencies. In addition, a horizontal airflow is generally formed in each of the cultivation layers divided by the cultivation chamber air circulation supply unit, and an interlayer circulation airflow is formed between the respective cultivation layers divided by the mesh-shaped floor through the interlayer air circulation unit, and the cultivation table air supply unit creates a planting layer vertical descending air flow divided inside the cultivation table, which evenly improves the airflow rate regardless of the place in the cultivation chamber, reducing the deviation in temperature and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) concentration, and the net photosynthetic rate and plant may increase productivity by increasing the speed of growth.

An air conditioning system for mushroom cultivation according to an embodiment includes an air passageway (10) having an intake opening for taking air thereinto, and a supply opening connected to a cultivation chamber (100) for cultivating a mushroom; a temperature control apparatus (20) that controls a temperature of air flowing through the air passageway (10), and a return passageway (30) for returning air in the cultivation chamber (100) to the air passageway (10) between the intake opening and a position at which the temperature control apparatus (20) controls air in temperature.

A conveyor system (4, 5) moves vertical poles (2) in an agricultural facility between a growing area (20) and a workstation (W). Each pole carries plant growing containers (3) at multiple levels (H1-H9). An irrigation reservoir (30) may be mounted atop each pole. Irrigation lines (31-33) from the reservoir may be individually metered (35) at each level to compensate for differing water pressure with height. Sensors (40) in the reservoir and at each level of the poles may provide a controller (36) with data input. The controller may impose different growing conditions in different areas of the facility, including vertically different grow areas (20A, 20B), and controls pole movements and locations selectively to provide a sequence of poles at the workstation ready to harvest on a demand schedule. The workstation may have multiple heights (W1, W2, W3) for tall poles that increase plant density per facility footprint.

A conveyor system (4, 5) moves vertical poles (2) in an agricultural facility between a growing area (20) and a workstation (W). Each pole carries plant growing containers (3) at multiple levels (H1-H9). An irrigation reservoir (30) may be mounted atop each pole. Irrigation lines (31-33) from the reservoir may be individually metered (35) at each level to compensate for differing water pressure with height. Sensors (40) in the reservoir and at each level of the poles may provide a controller (36) with data input. The controller may impose different growing conditions in different areas of the facility, including vertically different grow areas (20A, 20B), and controls pole movements and locations selectively to provide a sequence of poles at the workstation ready to harvest on a demand schedule. The workstation may have multiple heights (W1, W2, W3) for tall poles that increase plant density per facility footprint.

A plant cultivation apparatus includes a cabinet, a bed, an air adjuster, and a controller. The cabinet has a cultivation space defined therein in which a plant is cultivated. The bed is disposed in the cultivation space. The cultivator is seated on the bed and receives therein at least a portion of the plant. The air adjuster is disposed in the cabinet and configured to adjust an inflow amount of outside-air flowing into the cultivation space to adjust a carbon dioxide concentration in the cultivation space. The controller is disposed in the cabinet to control the air adjuster. The air adjuster includes a blower fan to cause flow of the outside-air. The controller performs a delayed cultivation mode in which the controller controls the air adjuster to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration to lower a growth rate of the plant.

A plant grow unit (10) includes a body (12) that bounds an interior area (14). Access to the interior area is controlled by a door (18). The interior area houses a plurality of grow lights (50) which are selectively operated in response to at least one control circuit (96) to provide suitable illumination and radiation for growing selected plants. Shelves (46, 48) are selectively positionable for supporting plants thereon. A plurality of sensors and devices in the interior area are operated responsive to the control circuit to maintain desired conditions for plant growth within the interior area and to indicate detected conditions.

A plant grow unit (10) includes a body (12) that bounds an interior area (14). Access to the interior area is controlled by a door (18). The interior area houses a plurality of grow lights (50) which are selectively operated in response to at least one control circuit (96) to provide suitable illumination and radiation for growing selected plants. Shelves (46, 48) are selectively positionable for supporting plants thereon. A plurality of sensors and devices in the interior area are operated responsive to the control circuit to maintain desired conditions for plant growth within the interior area and to indicate detected conditions.

The invention relates to a ventilation system and method for promoting growth of a plant. The system comprises an air inlet provided at a first height from a defined floor level, an air outlet, fluidly connected to the inlet, an air moving device for moving air from the inlet to the outlet, and a plant growing surface, provided at a second height, being higher than the first height, for accommodating growing plants, wherein the air outlet is provided at a third height, being higher than the second height. The inventive concept is based on the inventors' realization that improved growing conditions can be provided by transporting CO.sub.2 from the bottom of a lower level in a greenhouse to a higher level.

The invention relates to a ventilation system and method for promoting growth of a plant. The system comprises an air inlet provided at a first height from a defined floor level, an air outlet, fluidly connected to the inlet, an air moving device for moving air from the inlet to the outlet, and a plant growing surface, provided at a second height, being higher than the first height, for accommodating growing plants, wherein the air outlet is provided at a third height, being higher than the second height. The inventive concept is based on the inventors' realization that improved growing conditions can be provided by transporting CO.sub.2 from the bottom of a lower level in a greenhouse to a higher level.