Turning Wastewater into Lemna Feed and Fertilizer: Automation for Sustainable Agriculture
A recent report highlights Fyto, a startup founded by Jason Prapas. It transforms nitrogen‑rich dairy wastewater into a growth medium for Lemna, also called duckweed. Moreover, Fyto uses automated shallow pools and large agricultural robots to monitor plant health. Consequently, the Lemna biomass doubles every two days. Farmers can then use it as high‑protein cattle feed or as a fertilizer supplement. Designed for minimal land, water, and labor, the system both manages nutrients and creates new revenue streams. Although still scaling, Ecotox Environmental Services can help farms integrate this cropping method. We offer water‑quality testing, nutrient profiling, and tailored consultancy to ensure compliance and ecosystem protection.
How Fyto’s Automated Lemna Cultivation Works
First, Fyto repurposes dairy effluent rich in nitrogen and other nutrients. Next, it fills shallow pools on underused farmland with this water. Then, giant agricultural robots traverse these pools daily. Using multispectral imaging, they inventory biomass and estimate yields. They also detect nutrient deficiencies by spotting color changes. Finally, they recommend nutrient adjustments or harvest rates to sustain growth.
Benefits for Farmers and the Environment
• Resource Efficiency: The system turns a costly waste stream into valuable biomass. Thus, it reduces freshwater use and fertilizer costs.
• Economic Resilience: Farmers gain two marketable products—protein feed and soil‑conditioning fertilizer—without needing more land.
• Sustainability Gains: By capturing nitrogen in biomass, the process cuts nutrient run‑off into waterways.
Ecotox Services to Support Wastewater‑Based Agro‑Innovation
While Fyto supplies the cropping platform, Ecotox adds essential support:
1. Water‑Quality & Nutrient Analysis: We test influent and effluent streams for nitrogen, phosphorus, pH, and contaminants.
2. Environmental Analytical Testing: Our LC‑MS/MS and ICP‑MS methods detect trace metals and emerging toxins.
3. Specialty Sampling & Field Support: We design sampling plans to capture variations in nutrient loads and toxin levels.
4. Consultancy & Specialty Projects: We build custom workflows for monitoring, reporting, and integrating circular‑economy strategies.
By blending Fyto’s farming innovation with Ecotox’s analytical rigor, dairy farms can close nutrient loops safely. Furthermore, they can boost sustainability credentials and demonstrate clear stewardship to regulators and customers.
