Growth and Carotenoid Contents of Intercropped Vegetables in Building-Integrated Urban Agriculture

Urban Farm DB summary

This study aimed to increase plant growth and bioactive contents using intercropping technology in urban agriculture. Tomatoes and sunflowers were intercropped in different ratios on an outdoor rooftop, and lettuce and chicory were grown together in indoor LED plant growth chambers. Tomatoes intercropped with sunflowers (3:1) showed significantly larger stem diameter, more leaves, and higher lycopene and β-carotene contents compared to monocultured tomatoes. Lettuce intercropped with chicory (1:3) had significantly higher chlorophyll, β-carotene, and lutein contents than lettuce grown alone, but intercropping had no beneficial effect on chicory's growth and carotenoid content.