Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Topics


Our Urban Ag/ CEA lab engages with many research intatives in controlled environment and traditional agriculture. We ensure that each graduate student gets the opportunity to pursue their research interests in various CEA topics such as deep water culture, NFTs, hydroponics, light studies, and more. We also ensure every graduate student engages in our mentorship program with STEM undergrad research assistants. We hope to develop many publications, extension demos, research presentations, and learning experiences for our Kentucky State University students and Kentucky community.  

Research Associate Research
 
Effect of Selenium Fertilization on Carotenoid and Glucosinolate Accumulation in Two Cress Varieties Grown Hydroponically
Dr. Adeyeye & Cora Teets (Completed August, 2025)
 
 
Graduate Thesis Research 
 
Determining the effects of Magnesium Fertilization on Beta-Carotene Accumulation in Cress Grown Hydroponically
Richard Kabanda (Completed October, 2025)
 
Optimizing Red-Light Intensity to Maximize Lycopene and Other Carotenoids Accumulation in Tomato
Germaine N. Akeza (Ongoing)
 
Impact of Artificial LED Lights Spectra on Swiss Chard Growth, Yield, and Quality under Controlled Environment Agriculture
Marie Merci Uwimbabazi (Completed May, 2026)
 
Evaluating the Effects of Blue Light Intensities on Beta-carotene Accumulation in Two Baby Cress Varieties
Eric Murwanashyaka (Completed May, 2026)
 
Magnesium Fertilization Affects Carotenoid and Mineral Element Accumulation in Three Kale (Brassica oleracea var. Acephala) Cultivars Grown Hydroponically 
Alex Kofi (Completed December, 2025)
 
Comparative Analysis of Beta Carotene Accumulation in Two Kale Varieties Grown in Hydroponic Versus Soil Systems 
Nia Ragland (Ongoing)
 
Enhacing Beta-Carotene Content in Hydroponically Grown Garden Cress and Upland Cress Through UV-B Supplementation 
Faustin Mukunzi (Ongoing)
 
Student-Run Farm Research 
 

Hungarian Yellow Wax Sweet Pepper's Growth, Quality, and Yield Response Under Different Production Systems 

(Alex Kofi & Dr. Adeyeye) (Completed 2024)

Growth and Yield Response of Favorita Tomatoes to Three Different NPK Fertilizer Ratios in a Controlled Environment

(Dr. Adeyeye & Alex Kofi) (Completed 2024)

Impact of Different Color Plastic Mulch on Weed Suppression, Nutrient Density, and Growth Performance of Habanero Peppers 

(Alex Kofi & Jonathan Kamba) (Completed July, 2025)