Integration of vertical floating bed for red amaranth cultivation in low land areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

This study incorporates the design, fabrication, implementation and evaluation of soil-based Vertical Floating Bed (VFB). The VFB has contained six plots in three vertical layers, each layer having vertical distance of 0.61 m. The structural load was calculated and three water barrels were used to maintain stable floating condition. Red Amaranth was grown and the production was evaluated with horizontal farm based on no. of leaves (NoL), stem size (SS), crop weight, crop height (CH), root zone depth and total yield (Y). Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference in yield among different layers of VFB with horizontal layer. Most of the considerable yield (NoL 10 nos, CH 0.27 m, SS 12 mm, Y 1.54 kg) was achieved from the top layer of the structure (L1). The lowest production (NoL 7 nos, CH 0.19 m, SS 9 mm, Y 0.83 kg) was found in the bottom layer (L3). The elevation of different layers caused growth variances due to sunlight exposure differences. The study suggested that healthy production will be capable as insect and weed infestation was negligible. It can also be a sustainable method to grow vegetables in low-land areas.

Keywords

• low land areas
• haor areas
• frequent floods
• vertical floating bed
• red amaranth cultivation
• sustainable technology