What it does
An NFT gutter spacing analyzer that estimates plant spacing, density and light interception across a crop cycle for leafy greens and herbs in Standard 4" PVC or Heavy Duty 6" ABS gutters. It also estimates production metrics per gutter.
When to use it
Use it to plan plant spacing by day after transplant in an NFT system and to see how light, temperature and EC settings change the performance factors.
How it calculates
- Light interception = 1 − e^(−0.5 × LAI) (Monsi-Saeki)
- Base spacing = canopy diameter ÷ √0.90, adjusted for light and nutrient competition. Density = 10,000 ÷ spacing² (plants/m²)
- Plants per gutter = gutter length ÷ spacing. Economic return = plants × plant value × cycles per year ÷ gutter area
- The analysis runs every 3 days from day 1 to harvest
What you enter
- Crop Variety
- Gutter System(Standard 4" PVC or Heavy Duty 6" ABS)
- Current Day
- Maximum PPFD(µmol/m²/s)
- Daily Light Integral(mol/m²/day)
- Optimal Temperature(°C)
- Pump Capacity(L/min)
- EC Range(mS/cm)
- Solution Temperature(°C)
What you get
- Optimal Spacing(cm)
- Plant Density(plants/m²)
- Light Interception(%)
- Competition Index(%)
- Plants per gutter and total yield(kg)
- Water efficiency (kg/L) and light efficiency (kg/mol)
- Economic return ($/m²/year) and space utilization (%)
- Temperature, nutrient and light performance factors(%)