Harvested 2.1Kg (+ - 40mg digital scale jumping) of chowli.
@Pneb : approximately 50% yield and 20% grow holes empty, the harvest is a huge surplus. I wish I could have shared the spoils of the harvest with ye folks!!!
Note: The empty grow holes were either left deliberately empty or were planted with mint stalks / coriander, none of which sprouted. AS posted in the previous posts we planted 10 seeds in each hole. Most sprouted 5 through the grow hole and 5 inside the tower which die due to no sunlight and continuous water. A few had all 10 sprouting out through the grow hole, which is the desired outcome.
@vvcstemplay:
How many days from planting to yield?
I suspect the yield rate might not be much different from a field. In a real field, it is very difficult to assess the rate in the first place. The nearest metered comparison can only be to a soil based potted plant nursery.
JT D, [22.01.21 17:00]
[In reply to VicKram Crishna]
15 days.
The quality is very very superior compared to a market purchase. I estimate that one could obtain 5.25 kgs once we correct the primary problem of preventing plants growing inside the tower. The floor space used for this yield, including service space is 10sqft.
We estimate that 100sqft of floor space can fulfill our weekly vegetable needs. However given the variety we consume and the differing growth rates we will require double that area to be almost self sufficient. Additionally due the peaky nature of yields one will have to “discard” about 30%.
The present harvest would have lasted for 6 meals for us. Probably 4 meals for heavier eaters.
Operational Cost wise this rig consumed 12.9 units of electrical power, approx Rs.305 @p Rs.8.5/KWH. One could optimise it to probably 8 units by reducing duty cycle based on ambient temperature and humidity. This is probably 10 times more than a field, whose power is subsidised and thoroughly undependable.
Growth wise We can compare stem dia v/s leaf size. Punit estimates the aeroponic leaves to be 40% bigger keeping stalk dia constant.
Fertilizer consumed: N 10mg P 6mg K 4mg, micronutrients unspecified. All these in 3 100ml bottles of exorbitantly priced premix solution costing Rs.499. Commercial NPK 202020 costs Rs.60/kg or 200 time cheaper than the solution I used.