Research on underground plant growing in industrial regions of Ukraine
Industrial development requires the alienation of some arable land, removing it from agricultural production. This is especially noticeable in mining regions, where mineral development already occupies thousands of hectares of arable land.
The question arises of returning these territories to agriculture for intensive use. Research conducted by agricultural university staff and Agro.Bio specialists since 2012 on the reclamation of open-pit mines has yielded encouraging results, revealing the potential for converting lands disturbed by mining into arable land. The research has shown that these lands can yield higher yields of grain crops and perennial grasses than those from traditionally cultivated lands.
Prospects for the use of mine workings
The situation is somewhat different with regard to the territories formed by mine workings. Although their territory is smaller than the former, it occupies an impressive size on a national scale, expanding year after year and, naturally, going deeper.
For example, in Kryvyi Rih alone, there are over 250,000 square meters of main mine workings at various depths suitable for growing plants. It's worth noting that the air composition in the mine workings is closer to the outside air, with increased humidity and a relatively high, natural temperature. Consequently, the mine workings are perfectly suitable for plant life. Considering the current pressing need for a year-round supply of fresh vegetables, it's reasonable to assume that this type of agricultural production could be located in mine workings.
Current state programs for the development of the agro-industrial complex for 2021-2025 envisage increasing vegetable production by creating specialized commercial production zones through the construction of large greenhouses. However, the relatively high cost of greenhouse construction (UAH 50,000-60,000 per square meter) is a limiting factor . Considering that growing vegetables in winter requires significant heating costs, it's understandable that the cost of production is still quite high. With mine workings, the issue of constructing buildings is eliminated , and the cost of maintaining underground structures in good working order will be significantly lower.
For example, to build 25 hectares of greenhouses, it is necessary to spend 12.5-15 million UAH, while the cost of restoration work in mine workings, according to similar estimates, will be 5-6 million UAH.
Technical aspects: substrate and light
It's clear that growing plants in any conditions requires a substrate with nutrients. In greenhouses, this substrate is usually soil. Bringing soil into mines somewhat complicates the operation of such facilities, but the introduction of hydroponic cultivation solves this problem.
There remains one factor essential for plant life, and one that is completely absent in underground areas: light . Since 2012, powerful LED and gas-discharge systems have been used to grow a variety of plants and produce harvests year-round.
Data obtained by our specialists indicate that by shaping photobiological processes, which are the photoperiodic response of plants, a path has been found to dramatically converge biological and commercial yields. While previously, when growing tomatoes, fruit accounted for only 20% of the total weight, with the remainder being composed of leaves, stems, and roots, under artificial lighting conditions, this ratio has shifted: fruit accounts for 80% , with a yield of 130 kg per square meter and six harvests per year.
For normal growth and development of plants, it is necessary that the intensity of physiologically active radiation, depending on the type of plants being grown, be within the range of 50-120 thousand erg/cm2 sec .
Research objectives
Investigating the feasibility of using mine workings for agricultural crop cultivation is a highly pressing issue. In this regard, the following objectives must be considered:
- To ensure year-round cultivation and supply of agricultural products to the population of cities and entire regions, regardless of climatic conditions and geographic location.
- Create high-performance biological factories, workshops, and laboratories for developing new varieties.
- Model nature.
Based on these general objectives, Agro.Bio specialists developed a preliminary research program:
- Identification of mine workings suitable for plant cultivation.
- Study of the influence of spectral composition of light on organic systems.
- Study of different fillers for growing plants.
- Study of nutrition regimen and development of nutritional mixtures.
- Study of the possibility of plant pollination.
- Pests and diseases. Biological characteristics and development of control measures for cultivated crops.
- Mechanization and automation of production processes.
- Study of the influence of plants on the gas environment in the mine.
- Cost-effectiveness of growing plants underground.
Studying the conditions for growing plants underground
Exploratory research into the use of main mine workings for growing vegetable crops began in 2022 in Kryvyi Rih, at the deep levels of mining operations. Research has shown that, at a depth of 370 meters , in the absence of typical surface conditions, it is possible to grow plants year-round if provided with electric light of the appropriate spectral composition.
The temperature regime at a depth of 370 meters is more stable. In the experimental plot, the temperature did not exceed 24°C and did not fall below 19°C. This should have a positive effect on the growth and development of the cultivated crops. The lighting program is designed for 18 hours. Therefore, when growing plants underground, the day is 18 hours long, not 24, i.e., six hours shorter.
The gas composition of the air was studied at a test site in the mine. Analysis showed that the oxygen content reached 20.8%, carbon dioxide 0.1%, carbon monoxide 0.0001%, and nitrogen 79.099%. Atmospheric pressure underground differs from that at the soil surface by 50-75 mmHg.
Growing cucumbers
Positive results were obtained when growing parthenocarpic varieties and their hybrids. In a test plot, a modern parthenocarpic hybrid yielded 6.1 kg per square meter. Plants were grown on racks filled with a 20 cm thick soil layer. Fertilizers were applied once every 15 days with the addition of the anti-stress preparation Amino Energy Agro.Bio (optimum rate: 2 l/ha).
Table 1. Results of observations of the growth, development and yield of cucumbers (2024-2025)
| Experience options | Age of seedlings, days | Planting dates | The beginning of flowering | The beginning of fruiting | End of fruiting | Yield, kg/ m2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinching over 8 sheets | 15 | 3.XI | 18.XI | — | — | — |
| Pinching over 10 sheets | 15 | 3.XI | 21.XI | — | — | 0.3 |
| Pinching over 12 sheets | 15 | 3.XI | 25.XI | 26.I | 27.II | 5.7 |
| Pinching over 14 sheets | 15 | 3.XI | 30.XI | 28.I | 3.III | 6.1 |
In the third and fourth variants, where pinching was done above the 12th and 14th leaves, the plants developed well; the fruits were uniform in weight, ranging from 250 to 320 g. In addition to yield, cucumber plants grown underground produce good vegetative mass, capable of absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Growing tomatoes
The experimental plot was used to grow tomatoes of the Pervenets 190, Alpatyeva, Teplichnyy Rozivny Ranniy, and Kievskiy varieties. Seeds were soaked in a Mind Agro.Bio stimulant solution (2 l/ha) to prepare for sowing. During cultivation, the plants were fed with mineral fertilizers and the Adept Agro.Bio complex preparation (2 l/ha).
Table 2. Results of observations of growth, development and yield of tomatoes (2024-2025)
| Variety | Age of seedlings, days | Time for sowing seeds | The beginning of flowering | The beginning of mass fruiting | End of fruiting | Yield, kg/ m2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firstborn 190 | 30 | 12.X | 2.XII | 18.III | 18.IX | 5.0 |
| Kyiv | 30 | 12.X | 5.XII | 20.III | 10.VIII | 4.0 |
Table 3. The influence of growing conditions on the chemical composition of tomatoes
| Growing conditions | Dry matter (variation, %) | Dry matter (average, %) | Total sugars (fluctuations, %) | Total sugars (average, %) | Acidity by malic acid (variations, %) | Malic acidity (average, %) | Ascorbic acid (fluctuations, mg/100 g) | Ascorbic acid (average, mg/100 g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open ground | 4.0-7.8 | 5.6 | 1.8-3.3 | 2.5 | 0.43-0.90 | 0.50 | 6.2-17.7 | 12.9 |
| Greenhouses | 4.2-7.6 | 5.2 | 1.8-3.5 | 2.6 | 0.34-0.60 | 0.45 | 16.0-27.9 | 20.5 |
| Underground | 8.6 | 8.6 | 1.72-2.12 | 1.92 | 1.18-1.34 | 1.23 | 11.88-14.25 | 33.06 |
Analysis shows that the chemical composition of tomatoes grown in underground artificial conditions is almost the same as that of tomatoes grown in open ground and greenhouses, and the content of ascorbic acid is significantly higher.
Growing forcing crops
Onion-feather
Regular small onions were used for planting. According to the agricultural technology developed by Agro.Bio specialists, green onions are ready for consumption in 12-15 days (in greenhouses, in 25-30 days). One square meter can yield 60 kg of green onions from November to March.
Sorrel
Sorrel rhizomes were planted between rows and in individual boxes. The first harvests began 12-15 days later. Four harvests were collected from a single planting of rhizomes, yielding 2.5-3.0 kg per square meter .
Conclusions
- Preliminary studies confirm that underground crop production is a viable option, allowing mine workings to be used for vegetable cultivation at a relatively low cost during periods of extreme shortage.
- For the cultivation of forcing crops, the upper horizons of the main workings of operating mines should be allocated.
- In studying mine workings for the purpose of growing agricultural crops in the Krivoy Rog basin, it is advisable to widely expand similar research in all industrial regions of Ukraine.
Today, the biotechnology company Agro.Bio is maximizing profitability in the concept of controlled underground and greenhouse crop production. The innovative Adept , Mind , and Amino Energy products , based on purified leonardite, fully compensate for the lack of natural light and unlock the genetic potential of vegetable crops, even in the extreme conditions of industrial zones. The implementation of these technologies lays the foundation for independent food security for Ukrainian industrial clusters.