Taiwan Fertilizer Co., Limited recently completed successfully an experiment. It stimulated the growth of vegetables by increasing the carbon dioxide concentration in a vegetable garden. The needed carbon dioxide was supplied by the fertilizer factory. Carbon dioxide released from the factory has caused serious air pollution. If it can be used in stimulating the growth of crops, it will reduce the degree of air pollution, and also increase production of food. Dr. Ching-tsun Chiang, director of the Fertilizer Application Research Dept., Taiwan Fertilizer Co., said this system is feasible, since many advanced countries have used it successfully. When carried out on Taiwan's crops, it needs more experiments to determine which crop benefits most and what is the most suitable concentration of carbon dioxide. Dr. Chiang also pointed out that after careful studies experts decided to choose vegetable as the first objects of tests, The reason is that vegetables have a shorter growth period and are in short supply during the summer. The success of this experiment can help solve the problem of vegetable shortages in Taiwan, especially in Taipei.
The experiment started with raising summer cabbage and green peppers in a small greenhouse. It turned out to be a success. Experts then move the experiment to a larger vinyl house. Vegetables under the experiment are: Shangtung Pe-tsai (Chinese cabbage), Tsingchiang Pe-tsai, Simpson lettuce and cabbage lettuce. They were tested in two plastic houses: on with carbon dioxide, one under normal condition. Other factors of the two houses were the same, such as sunlight, moisture, fertilizer and the growing period. The result showed impressive differences, especially apparent in cabbage lettuce. After being treated with carbon dioxide, the cabbage lettuce tripled in production. The Taiwan Fertilizer Company will continue to test many other kinds of vegetables to develop the most suitable for production stimulated by carbon dioxide.
Using carbon dioxide on rice seedlings.
Similar test on vegetables.
The process of using carbon dioxide on plants.
Testing carbon dioxide concentration.
An Experiment in using carbon dioxide.
The Research Department, Taiwan Fertilizer Co.
Testing with gas chromotograph.
The growth of eggplants treated with carbon dioxide.