Background: With the growing global population and climate change, achieving food security is a pressing challenge (1). Vertical farming has the potential to support local food production and security. In the UK population females and younger adults appear to be particularly vulnerable to  micronutrient shortfalls from food sources alone. Levels of micronutrient intakes including zinc and iron are below the recommended daily intake (2). As a Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) system, vertical farming employs hydroponics using a nutrient solution which offers opportunities to modulate nutrient uptake, and thus influence plant mineral and vitamin composition (3) . 
Objective: In this study we aimed to determine the suitability of different crop types for agronomic biofortification with zinc and iron to achieve biofortified crops. Methodology: In this study, we investigated the effect of the addition of 20ppm (+20 mg L−1 ) of zinc  (ZnSO4) or iron (Fe-EDTA) to the nutrient solution on the growth and nutritional components in pea microgreens, kale microgreens and kale baby leaf plants. The growth conditions were kept identical  throughout the treatments with photoperiod 18 h d-1 , temperature 20-22°C and relative humidity at  70-80%. Plant growth, mineral composition, glucosinolate content and protein content were  evaluated. Results were analysed using ANOVA (p<0.05, Tukey’s test). 
Results: It was determined that higher amounts of zinc in the nutrient solution resulted in  significantly higher levels of zinc in all three crops (p<0.05), with increases of 205% in pea  microgreens, 264% in babyleaf kale and 217% in kale microgreens compared to the control plants.  Higher amounts of iron in the nutrient solution resulted in significantly higher levels of iron only in  pea microgreens, with an increase of 38% (p<0.05). Neither dosing regimen negatively influenced the  overall crop performance. 
Conclusion: These results suggest that the three different crops are suitable for soilless  biofortification with zinc and iron, although pea microgreens were the only crop that had a  significant increase in iron upon iron-dosing.
Willett W, Rockstrom J, Loken B et al. (2019) Lancet 393, 447–92
Derbyshire E (2018) Front Nutr 5 (55)
SharathKumar M, Heuvelink E & Marcelis L F M (2020) Trends Plant Sci 25, 724–727

Background: With the growing global population and climate change, achieving food security is a pressing challenge (1). Vertical farming has the potential to support local food production and security. In the UK population females and younger adults appear to be particularly vulnerable to  micronutrient shortfalls from food sources alone. Levels of micronutrient intakes including zinc and iron are below the recommended daily intake (2). As a Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) system, vertical farming employs hydroponics using a nutrient solution which offers opportunities to modulate nutrient uptake, and thus influence plant mineral and vitamin composition (3) . 
Objective: In this study we aimed to determine the suitability of different crop types for agronomic biofortification with zinc and iron to achieve biofortified crops. Methodology: In this study, we investigated the effect of the addition of 20ppm (+20 mg L−1 ) of zinc  (ZnSO4) or iron (Fe-EDTA) to the nutrient solution on the growth and nutritional components in pea microgreens, kale microgreens and kale baby leaf plants. The growth conditions were kept identical  throughout the treatments with photoperiod 18 h d-1 , temperature 20-22°C and relative humidity at  70-80%. Plant growth, mineral composition, glucosinolate content and protein content were  evaluated. Results were analysed using ANOVA (p<0.05, Tukey’s test). 
Results: It was determined that higher amounts of zinc in the nutrient solution resulted in  significantly higher levels of zinc in all three crops (p<0.05), with increases of 205% in pea  microgreens, 264% in babyleaf kale and 217% in kale microgreens compared to the control plants.  Higher amounts of iron in the nutrient solution resulted in significantly higher levels of iron only in  pea microgreens, with an increase of 38% (p<0.05). Neither dosing regimen negatively influenced the  overall crop performance. 
Conclusion: These results suggest that the three different crops are suitable for soilless  biofortification with zinc and iron, although pea microgreens were the only crop that had a  significant increase in iron upon iron-dosing.
1. Willett W, Rockstrom J, Loken B et al. (2019) Lancet 393, 447–92
2. Derbyshire E (2018) Front Nutr 5 (55)
3. SharathKumar M, Heuvelink E & Marcelis L F M (2020) Trends Plant Sci 25, 724–727

Zinc and iron biofortification of crops grown in a vertical farm 

Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow an intrinsic 24-hour cycle. These natural processes respond primarily to light and dark and affect most living things, including animals, plants, and microbes. Circadian rhythm regulation plays a crucial role in healthy lives and a dysfunction of circadian rhythm is linked to increased disease risk. 

This meeting includes plenary lectures from the leading experts in the field, supported by evolving science insights from Early Career Researchers. The meeting will explore nutrient and diet interaction with circadian rhythms, chrono-nutrition for health and circadian systems in disease.