Research & reports

· International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science · Global

An IoT and artificial intelligence-based smart gardening and irrigation system was developed to simplify the maintenance of rooftop and balcony gardens for urban greening. The system utilizes hardware such as NodeMCU ESP8266, a water motor, battery, relay module, rain sensor, temperature and humidity sensor, and soil moisture sensors. It enables users to water plants manually or automatically via the internet from anywhere using a smartphone, making gardening easier for individuals with limited time.

Raj, T. Yuvan, Divashen, C., Pillaiy, K. Nishart, Pretthic, S., Rishwin, S. · UiTM Institutional Repositories (Universiti Teknologi MARA) · Global

This smart aquaponic garden system integrates aquaculture and hydroponics with IoT sensors to monitor water parameters and optimize plant growth. A central monitoring platform processes real-time data to maintain optimal conditions for plants and fish and detect abnormalities. The system offers remote access and control, aiming to promote sustainable agriculture, reduce water consumption, and provide an accessible platform for local food production in urban farming and community gardens.

Wulan Sari Sinaga, Desyana Millenia Limeranto, Eugenia Larissa Bakti Pangala, Kukuh Madyaningrana · Pro-Life · Global

This research investigated the macro nutrient content of fruit peel-based liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) and its effect on Pakcoy (Brassica chinensis L.) growth over 56 days, using a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replications. The study found that the macro nutrients in the fruit peel-based LOF did not meet the Ministry of Agriculture's quality standards. However, a 0.4 mL dose of the fruit peel-based LOF showed the best effect in supporting Pakcoy plant growth across all measured parameters.

Muhammad Izzad Ramli, Muhammad Azizi Mohd Ariffin, Zarina Zainol, Mohd Nazrul Mohd Amin, Dedeng Hirawan, I D Sumitra, Nursuriati Jamil · Pertanika journal of science & technology · Global

This paper proposes a design for a Smart Portable Farming Kit, an IoT-based system for cultivating short-duration vegetables and mushrooms indoors in urban areas. The prototype design is simple, lightweight, and durable, requiring minimal user attention. It proved better than traditional setups by increasing mushroom yield, making oyster mushroom cultivation easier and more profitable in urban areas.

Yichen Ma · International Journal of Environmental Sustainability and Protection · Global

This article explores participatory community gardening theory and practices, using an old community as an example, to find ways to establish and grow community gardens for residents. It aims to provide a reference for establishing community gardens and exploring sustainable methods within urban micro-renewal, especially in response to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic affecting residents' access to necessities.

Mahsa Tarashkar, Mansour Matloobi, Salman Qureshi, Akbar Rahimi · Ecological Indicators · Global

This study investigated the effects of tea waste compost on the growth traits of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and explored whether a clean carbon dioxide source from urban households could contribute to sustainable production. Tea waste gathered from urban households was decomposed for four months and mixed at 0–75% by volume with loamy garden soil; using a split-plot design, one greenhouse was enriched to an elevated CO2 concentration of 1500±100 ppm while a second was kept at the ambient level of 500±20 ppm. Results showed that elevated CO2 negatively affected radish yield, biomass accumulation, and vegetative growth parameters, while increasing volumes of tea waste compost, up to 75%, improved growth traits. At 75% tea waste compost, elevated CO2 had the same effect on growth traits as the normal level, showing a positive effect on total fresh weight but negative effects on total dry weight, leaf dry weight, and total leaf area. The study attributes the strongest support for radish growth at the highest compost volume (75%) to its high nitrogen content.

B. BOLOU-BI Emile, Philippe GUETY Thierry, TRAORE Adama, KONE Brahima · African Journal of Agricultural Research · Global

To evaluate the effect of biochar on tomato production in acidic soil, a complete randomized block design with 5 replications tested four treatments: 0% (T0, control), 8% (T1), 12% (T2) and 16% (T3) biochar application, measuring plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, fruit number and biomass. Plants receiving biochar (T1, T2, T3) were taller than the unamended control (T0); T1 plants averaged 12±2 fruits per plant, while T0 control plants produced no fruit at all, and T2/T3 fruit counts fell between the control and T1. Soil chemical analysis showed exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity, pH, soil organic matter, total nitrogen and C/N ratio all higher than the initial soil, though treatments had no significant effect on soil enzymic activity. The study recommends recovering waste as an organic material source in urban horticulture and open-field cultivation to restore soil fertility.

Samah El Khateeb, Mariam Saber, Indjy M. Shawket · Ain Shams Engineering Journal · Egypt

A 2023 study by researchers at Ain Shams University, Egypt, asking how gender roles shape small-scale home gardening — which spread during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in low- and middle-income communities — and whether the benefits are distributed equally between men and women or skewed towards one gender. The team ran a quantitative survey and tested its hypotheses using WarpPLS (partial least squares structural equation modelling) to examine the relationships between gender, gardening activities and the benefits obtained. The authors pose the equal-versus-skewed distribution of benefits as an explicit research question and frame the results as material for urban authorities seeking to create a fair and inclusive environment. The abstract does not specify sample size, sampling method or the cities covered, and the cross-sectional design does not establish causation.

Gumisiriza M.S., Ndakidemi P.A., Mbega E.R. · MethodsX, 9:101882 · Tanzania

A methods paper presenting a simplified, non-greenhouse hydroponic system built from low-cost, readily available materials using the Kratky method, with detailed step-by-step instructions. Requiring no specialised equipment or power, it offers a reproducible, self-buildable approach to soilless vegetable growing in confined urban spaces, supporting DIY and maker-style citizen food production.

· International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology · Global

Systematic review positioning decentralized composting as a waste management tool in the context of new global trends.

Fernandes L., Fernandes J.R., Tavares P.B. · Solar · Portugal

Builds and tests two indirect solar dryer prototypes for fruits and vegetables using low-cost, reused materials (wood, styrofoam, recycled aluminum cans). Reports drying kinetics comparable to a commercial electric dryer, cutting waste from domestic over-production.

· Aquaculture International · Global

The paper argues that low-cost aquaponics can support food security and socio-economic development in poor communities, and defines the critical success factors needed to realize such systems.

· Agriculture · Tanzania

Examines micro-investment by smallholders in affordable drip irrigation kits (bundled with seeds, inputs and advice) for vegetable production and improved livelihoods and nutrition.

· Environment, Development and Sustainability · Sri Lanka

Explores composing a low-cost green roof substrate from locally available organic wastes, arguing that organic wastes offer higher plant-nutrient content, water retention and suitable pH compared with recycled aggregates.

· Agronomy · Global

Investigates replacing conventional hydroponic media such as cocodust with compost from locally sourced grocery waste, testing four mixtures (20–80% waste compost) on hydroponic lettuce over 35 days.

Victоria Kryuchkova, Vitaly Donskih, Yuri Gorbunov, Tatiana Aniskina, О. С. Волкова · АгроЭкоИнфо · Russia (Moscow)

This 2011-2022 study at the MBG RAS laboratory in Moscow, Russia, assessed 20 wild apple tree species for their landscaping potential. While Malus baccata, M. neidzwedzkyana, M. x zumi, M. sargentii, and M. mandshurica were identified as promising for urban conditions, M. ioensis showed low frost resistance and M. fusca and M. sievesii were susceptible to scab infestation, limiting their suitability for urban gardening in Moscow.

Yurisandra Sierra Reyes, Ernesto Juniors Pérez Torres, Ana de Dios Martínez, Manuel Francisco Rodríguez Saldaña, Arialsis Adán Verdugo · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Cuba (Camagüey)

To evaluate the use of agroecological technologies in the Urban Farm of Camagüey municipality, semi-structured anonymous surveys were applied to 77 managers and producers (43 producers, 34 managers) working in the Urban, Suburban, and Family Agriculture Program. The surveys identified agroecological technologies such as crop rotation and intercropping, biofertilizers, insect traps, and biological products. Organopónicos, semi-protected, and intensive gardens were identified as the units systematically applying these technologies, with farms and plots doing so to a lesser extent.

Aaron Sedivy · Lincoln (University of Nebraska) · Global

This document outlines the benefits of urban agriculture, such as energy conservation, rainwater remediation, and therapeutic uses, and its contribution to food security pillars: availability, access, utilization, and stability. It suggests special considerations for improving urban soils and designing an evolving food crop production plan.

Abhishek C, Soumya T V, V. Ajith · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · Global

This study evaluated the effect of coir grow bags as an alternative to plastic grow bags on plant growth and yield. Seedlings of amaranthus, tomato, brinjal, chilli, herbs, medicinal plants, and ornamental plants were transplanted into coir grow bags and synthetic grow bags for comparison. Results showed that plants grown in coir grow bags exhibited higher yield and plant height, along with noticeable improvements in visual plant condition, compared to those in synthetic grow bags.

Annette Svaneklink Jakobsen · University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) · Denmark

This paper analyzes gardening practices and expressions within the "Grow your City" urban garden project in Denmark, focusing on how participants create individual spaces. The project involves hundreds of standardized raised plant beds rented by citizens, who demonstrate significant heterogeneity in personalizing their spaces through planting, decorating, and modifying. The study, based on observations and mappings, explores gardening as a creative practice and a form of participation.

Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua, Rodrigo Roblero, Jorge Flores-Velázquez, Colegio de Postgraduados · Vivienda y Comunidades Sustentables · Global

This study aimed to generate a methodology for estimating the volume of rainwater harvesting for urban agriculture use. The surface area of two urban roofs with contrasting characteristics was estimated using images from a UAV camera, generating a digital surface model (DSM) and identifying runoff coefficients by sub-catchment area. Monthly average precipitation was calculated using climatological normals. The volume of rainwater harvesting was calculated and its use in lettuce cultivation was analyzed. The estimated volume of rain from the catchment areas obtained from the DSM and meteorological data allowed for the agronomic analysis of the crop.

Kristiina Valter · Green Energy and Environmental Technology · Global

This paper describes productive blue-green roofs for stormwater management, highlighting features important for sustained environmental benefits. It explains that blue roofs use retention layers to delay or retain stormwater, and combining them with green roofs allows for growing edible crops, offering synergistic benefits. The paper presents case studies and testbeds of various blue and green roof sublayer combinations with edible and non-edible plants, considering design parameters and monitoring systems.

Md. Abdul Quddus · Horticulture International Journal · Global

This review study investigated the scenario, advantages, and challenges of rooftop farming in urban communities. Rooftop gardening provides fresh, nutrition-rich food for urban dwellers, serves as an alternative land use, improves the urban atmosphere, and offers household recreation. Previous research indicates that insight and consciousness of roof gardening enrich wellbeing, social value, and enjoyable farming for building residents.

Byoung-Kwon Lee, Hyung-Kwon Yun, In-Kyoung Hong, Young-Bin Jung, Sangmi Lee, Sang-Deok Lee · Journal of people, plants, and environment · Global

This study investigated the effects of French marigold, zinnia, spearmint, and basil as companion plants at 10, 20, and 40 cm spacing on cherry tomato growth and fruit quality. Statistical differences were found in stem thickness and total number of fruits per plant, but not in plant height, total fresh weight of fruits, sugar content, fruit hardness, or vitamin C. Stem thickness decreased when spearmint and basil were planted at 20 cm or 40 cm compared to the control, and only zinnia at 40 cm increased the total number of fruits per plant.

· Middle East Journal of Agriculture Research · Egypt

Two experiments were conducted in 2020 and 2021 on a rooftop garden in Giza, Egypt, to investigate the effect of substrate type and fertilizing programs on molokhia and spinach yield and nitrate content. Substrate S1 (50% perlite: 50% peat moss) was found more suitable for high yield. While chemical nutrient solution (CNS) alone resulted in the highest yield, the combination of S1 and CNS followed by compost tea for 5 days before harvest (CNS+5) was most suitable for high yield with lower nitrate accumulation.