{{short description|Practice of cultivating food underground}} '''Underground farming''' is the practice of cultivating food underground. Underground farming is usually done using hydroponics, aeroponics or air-dynaponics systems or container gardens. Light is generally provided by means of growth lamps<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newatlas.com/aerofarms-urban-agriculture/15371/|title=Aerofarms urban agriculture system - less space, less water and no pesticides|date=June 11, 2010|website=New Atlas}}</ref> or daylighting systems (as light tubes).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/deltav/25740/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919003756/http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/deltav/25740/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2010|title=Underground lighting}}</ref>
The advantages of underground farming are that it is independent of the environment above the ground. Thus, a hot or cold climate is more manageable underground. Also, possible air pollution gases can be more easily filtered. There is theoretically much space below ground. Thus, underground farming could be one part of the solution for higher food security.
On the downside are that current high energy costs for the growth lamps. Also, building underground spaces is expensive with current technology.
Mushrooms, particularly Agaricus bisporus, have been cultivated underground in France since the late 1800s. As of 2021, there are several acres of mushrooms grown in tunnels under Paris.<ref>{{cite news |title=Deep underground, Paris mushroom growers struggle to preserve heritage |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211118-deep-underground-paris-mushroom-growers-struggle-to-preserve-heritage |access-date=27 May 2023 |publisher=France24 |date=18 November 2021}}</ref> ==Present systems== * The Lunar greenhouse is an underground farm made by Phil Sadles and Gene Giacomelli of the University of Arizona's Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.space.com/9353-lunar-greenhouse-grow-food-future-moon-colonies.html|title=Lunar Greenhouse Could Grow Food For Future Moon Colonies|first=Space com|last=Staff|date=October 19, 2010|website=Space.com}}</ref><ref>Kijk magazine, editie 13, 2010</ref> The urine and exhaled air of the astronauts is reused in the system by the plants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/deltav/25740/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919003756/http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/deltav/25740/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2010|title=Reuse of urine and exhaled air}}</ref> * GreenForges is a Canadian startup developing underground farming systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GreenForges digs deep to farm underground |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/12/greenforges-digs-deep-to-farm-underground/ |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New startup takes vertical farming underground — literally |url=https://www.freethink.com/environment/underground-farm |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=Freethink |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cals.arizona.edu/earthlight/|title=Earthlight Documentary | Is learning to live on the moon the key to sustainability on earth?|website=cals.arizona.edu}}</ref>
==See also== * Forestiere Underground Gardens * Pot farming * Rooftop farming * Vertical farming
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Underground farming}} Category:Urban agriculture Category:Types of garden