AVF recently caught up with Associate Professor Ivan Paponov, Department of Food Science Plant Food & Sustainability at Aarhus University to learn more about his current Research Program.
What is the research currently going on at Aarhus University?
At Aarhus University, our research focuses on controlled environment agriculture (CEA) — studying how plants respond to light, temperature, humidity, CO₂, and mineral and organic nutrition. We aim to optimize these factors to achieve efficient growth and improved quality. Using vertical farming and greenhouse systems, we explore how controlled environments can enhance both productivity and the accumulation of valuable bioactive compounds.
What is your technology/research, and who is it for?
We develop science-based cultivation strategies and sensor-integrated systems that help optimize vertical farming for both academic research and commercial production. Our work supports researchers, technology developers, and VF companies who want to refine lighting, nutrient, and monitoring systems. We study leafy greens, herbs, strawberries, and medicinal plants, using precise control to enhance their nutritional and functional value.
What is unique about your research and approach?
Our approach connects aboveground and belowground processes — linking light, photosynthesis, and canopy physiology with root exudates, nutrient uptake, and microbiome activity. We use time-resolved phenotyping and advanced sensors to track how plants adapt in real time, turning complex biological data into practical cultivation insights for more sustainable and high-value production.
What is the potential of your research going forward?
Our work has the potential to make vertical farming a tool for precision bioproduction — growing crops not only for food but also for functional ingredients and medicinal compounds. By fine-tuning environmental and nutritional cues, we can produce plants with standardized bioactive content, suitable for product development and human trials where reproducibility is essential.
What are your goals in the future?
By 2030, we aim to establish a fully integrated vertical farming research platform linking light, roots, and metabolites. We plan to use vertical farming for screening new genotypes, developing predictive models, and forming strong partnerships with industry to grow functional and climate-resilient crops under sustainable conditions.
What are you looking for in the VF space – which kind of collaborators?
We are looking for partners who share an interest in plant monitoring, lighting control, and root-zone innovation. This includes sensor developers, AI and data analytics experts, microbiologists, and system integrators. We aim to create collaborative, data-driven solutions where plants and microorganisms function synergistically, paving the way for the next generation of sustainable vertical farming systems.
You can find out more about Ivan’s research here.