The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) will evaluate bok choy as a new crop for controlled environment agriculture systems at the Virginia Tech-IALR Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center. This two-year research project will focus on optimizing bok choy production in hydroponic systems and developing practical protocols for small- and medium-sized farmers.

This two-year research is funded by a $62,048 grant from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).

Bok choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) is a nutrient-rich cruciferous vegetable with growing popularity among consumers. However, its potential for high-yield production in CEA systems has not been fully explored. As Virginia’s CEA industry continues to expand, the CEA Innovation Center is focused on identifying new crop opportunities for growers seeking to diversify and increase profitability.

Led by IALR Chief Scientist Dr. Chuansheng Mei, the research team will evaluate multiple bok choy cultivars across different hydroponic systems and nutrient solutions. The project will also test promising endophytes—beneficial microbes that reside within plant tissues—for their ability to promote growth, enhance nutrient use efficiency and improve tolerance to abiotic stress. Preliminary experiments have already shown encouraging results, with three endophytes increasing shoot fresh weight by 20–44% in two bok choy cultivars.

“Evaluating bok choy as a new potential crop for CEA will help fuel the growth of CEA companies in Virginia. Application of beneficial bacterial endophytes as biostimulants will improve plant growth and increase yields, so farmers will make more profits for their CEA production,” Dr. Mei said.

Bok choy is a cool-season crop with optimal growth temperatures between 13-24 degrees Celsius, which can be challenging to maintain in traditional greenhouse environments during the summer months. Enhancing plant tolerance to heat and other stressors through biostimulant application will be key to achieving consistent, high yields. The ultimate goal is to help farmers realize a 10–20% increase in production using these techniques.

The CEA Innovation Center, a partnership between IALR’s Applied Research division and the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, serves as a national hub for CEA research, education and industry collaboration. By bridging academia and business, the Center supports agribusiness diversification and increased farm income across Southern Virginia and beyond.

IALR’s Vice President for Applied Research and Co-founder of the Innovation Center. Dr. Scott Lowman stated, “Identifying and optimizing new crops for indoor production is a primary need for this sector, and this project is tailored to address this challenge.”

This bok choy research project is one of eight sub-awards funded by VDACS to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Virginia. The state’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program supports a variety of initiatives, including six research projects and one education and outreach effort. These projects aim to improve production and market access for crops such as cabbage, broccoli, brassicas, strawberries, and apples.

Through strategic research and outreach, the CEA Innovation Center continues to empower growers with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the evolving agricultural landscape. This effort is supported by IALR’s Plant Endophyte Research Center, which focuses on beneficial plant bacteria that live inside plants, or endophytes, as sustainable solutions for enhanced agricultural production.

Connect with the IALR Research Team