Design and Development of Aeroponics System for Microgreens

Abstract

The study focused on the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a compact aeroponics system developed for the cultivation of the four types of microgreens (corn, radish, mungbean and wheatgrass. The system consists of ten major components—fan, control, frame, grow lights, timer, pump set, water tank, cultivation bed, misters, and basin—designed to operate as a closed-loop unit that recirculates water and nutrient mist to optimize root exposure and growth efficiency. The setup integrates mobility and automation features, ensuring uniform misting and efficient resource utilization.

Performance evaluation of the system revealed high Water Use Efficiency (WUE) of 1,265.16 g/L, indicating minimal water consumption relative to fresh biomass yield. The germinative capacity of all four microgreens reached 100%, demonstrating that aeroponic cultivation effectively supports seed germination even without soil. Growth analysis showed a consistent upward trend in both shoot and root development across four species—corn, mungbean, wheatgrass, and radish—over a five-day period. Among these, mungbean and corn microgreens exhibited the greatest shoot elongation (75 mm and 65.75 mm, respectively), while wheatgrass displayed the longest root growth (110 mm). These findings align with earlier reports linking seed size and nutrient reserves to early growth performance.

Economic analysis demonstrated the system’s viability and profitability. With an operating cost of ₱309.20 per 5-day cropping cycle and a yield of 1,398 g of corn microgreens, the production cost was estimated at ₱4 per gram. The projected annual gross income was ₱268,032, yielding a return on investment (ROI) of 685% and a payback period of approximately 1¾ months, confirming its strong economic feasibility for small-scale or urban producers.

An Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) material was developed to support technology transfer, detailing the system’s operation, cultivation procedures, nutritional benefits, and economic indicators. Overall, the developed aeroponics system proved to be technically efficient, resource-conserving, and economically viable for sustainable corn microgreen production under controlled environments.