Fertilization, Eco-Friendly Pest Control, and Their Impact on Clinical Outcomes

Abstract

Vertical Farming has become essential in sustaining food security, particularly in high-density populated urban environments. In this study, we evaluated an integrated management approach utilizing intelligent nutrient provision and environmentally friendly pest control in controlled environment agriculture. We applied a circular fertilization program by combining a recycled phosphorus source made from struvite with rhizobium bacteria for indigenous nitrogen fixation. In trials with Phaseolus vulgaris, an 18% increase in plant growth and 22% and 27% reductions, respectively, in nitrate and phosphate runoff were obtained compared to standard fertilization. For the control of pests, we used a preventive Integrated Pest Management. Finally, adjusting Zinc and Calcium levels, we activated the plants' innate immune systems, which reduced infection from this disease by 35%. Beneficial microbes like Trichoderma and Bacillus were also introduced to strengthen this natural defense. These combined significantly reduced the effect of chemical pesticides. Overall, our studies suggest that VF can be highly productive and environmentally sustainable. Using nutrients, plant protection, and supporting microbial allies provides a realistic, scalable path toward urban farming systems that are free from chemical residues.