The Harnessing of Controlled Environment Agriculture Technologies for Phytochemical and Mineral Element Enrichment in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facilitates the management of plant growth and development through innovative horticultural technologies. Specific features of obligatory halophytes require diverse cultivation conditions compared to leafy vegetables grown in CEA. An ice plant was grown in walk-in chambers, and the impact of the following aspects was evaluated: (I) photosynthetically active photon flux density (PPFD) of 150, 200, 250, 300 µmol m−2 s−1; (II) spectral composition of red (R), blue (B), RB, and RBFR (far-red); (III) 12 h, 16 h, and 24 h photoperiod; (IV) hydroponic solution pH at 5.0–5.5, 5.5–6.0, and 6.0–6.5; and (V) hydroponic solution salinity concentrations at 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM L−1 NaCl. Other cultivation parameters were maintained constant. The results demonstrate that the ice plant was not sensitive to lighting duration at a constant daily light quantity. However, to enhance the phytochemical and mineral content per biomass, it is suggested that 250 µmol m−2 s−1 be used. While growth remains unaffected, pH levels 6.0–6.5 lead to an increased accumulation of fructose, citric, malic, and fumaric acids. In contrast, pH levels of 5.0–5.5 enhance the accumulation of mineral elements. Nutrient solution salinity of 50 mM NaCl is potentially optimum for ice plant growth. Further research is needed to evaluate the complex effect of environmental conditions for halophytes cultivation in CEA.