SEAS Prepares for Fourth Planting Season
Researchers at KU鈥檚 Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC) have聽 spent the past few weeks tilling, leveling, and replenishing the water levels in its integrated Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS), the flagship project of SBRC and the world鈥檚 first research facility to grow both food and fuel using desert lands irrigated by seawater. They are preparing to plant the fourth season of Salicornia plants, whose oil-rich seeds are harvested to produce aviation biofuel.
鈥淭his season will be dedicated to increasing the yields of the oilseed crop based on experience gained from previous seasons by implementing a different planting strategy and a supplementary irrigation methodology during the germination phase of the plant,鈥� said Research Engineer Jose Barron.
鈥淭wo of the eight fields will be dedicated to grow three of the best performing accessions based on the recommendation of the halophyte breeding team.鈥�
From the aquaculture side, the ponds are also being prepared to be restocked with a fin fish species to explore the feasibility of growing higher market value seafood at demonstration scale. Fin fish species is more attractive to the UAE market than the Indian White Shrimp, Tilapia, and Sea Bream species that were cultivated previously.
