Controlled Environment Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Controlled environment (CE) technology enables the production of plants and their products inside structures such as greenhouses, growth chambers, and indoor plant factories. Growth conditions are managed to optimize the concentration of high value phytochemicals, maximize yields, and minimize microbial and insect contamination on a year round basis. CE technology removes the geographical constraints to production by enabling environmental (temperature, photoperiod, light quality, CO,) and cultural (rooting media, nutrient composition, irrigation) factors to be managed and replicated anywhere in the world. CE technology has potential to increase availability, improve quality, and reduce over-harvesting pressures of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) supplying the commercial market. Although CE is widely used for the production of vegetables and ornamental species, there is limited published data on growth, production, and chemistry of MAPs in CE. This article provides an overview of research conducted on production of MAPs in CE, provides examples of potential CE's to increase yield and quality, and suggests areas for future development.