Oscar Monje

Dr. Oscar Monje

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

35Years (1992-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications

27 July 2020 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SASenthold Asseng
Senthold Asseng
JGJose R. Guarin
Jose R. Guarin
MRMahadev Raman
Mahadev Raman
OMOscar Monje
Oscar Monje
GKGregory Kiss
Gregory Kiss
PGPaul P. G. Gauthier
Paul P. G. Gauthier
Scaling current cereal production to a growing global population will be a challenge. Wheat supplies approximately one-fifth of the calories and protein for human diets. Vertical farming is a possible promising option for increasing future wheat production. Here we show that wheat grown on a single hectare of land in a 10-layer indoor vertical facility could produce from 700 ± 40 t/ha (measured) to a maximum of 1,940 ± 230 t/ha (estimated) of grain annually under optimized temperature, intensive artificial light, high CO2 levels, and a maximum attainable harvest index. Such yields would be 220 to 600 times the current world average annual wheat yield of 3.2 t/ha. Independent of climate, season, and region, indoor wheat farming could be environmentally superior, as less land area is needed along with reuse of most water, minimal use of pesticides and herbicides, and no nutrient losses. Although it is unlikely that indoor wheat farming will be economically competitive with current market prices in the near future, it could play an essential role in hedging against future climate or other unexpected disruptions to the food system. Nevertheless, maximum production potential remains to be confirmed experimentally, and further technological innovations are needed to reduce capital and energy costs in such facilities. Significance Wheat is the most important food crop worldwide, grown across millions of hectares. Wheat yields in the field are usually low and vary with weather, soil, and crop management practices. We show that yields for wheat grown in indoor vertical farms under optimized growing conditions would be several hundred times higher than yields in the field due to higher yields, several harvests per year, and vertically stacked layers. Wheat grown indoors would use less land than field-grown wheat, be independent of climate, reuse most water, exclude pests and diseases, and have no nutrient losses to the environment. However, given the high energy costs for artificial lighting and capital costs, it is unlikely to be economically competitive with current market prices.

1 January 2003 in Advances In Space Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
OMOscar Monje
Oscar Monje
GSG.W Stutte
G.W Stutte
GGG.D Goins
G.D Goins
D. Marshall PorterfieldD. Marshall Porterfield
D. Marshall Porterfield
GBG.E Bingham
G.E Bingham


10 May 2006 in Planta
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
GSG. W. Stutte
G. W. Stutte
OMOscar Monje
Oscar Monje
RHR. D. Hatfield
R. D. Hatfield
APAnna-Lisa Paul
Anna-Lisa Paul
RFR. J. Ferl
R. J. Ferl
CSC. G. Simone
C. G. Simone

1 July 1992 in BioScience
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
BBBruce Bugbee
Bruce Bugbee
OMOscar Monje
Oscar Monje