Maximum Yield USA October 2017 | Page 127

Pea seeds grown to produce pea shoots and mung beans grown as sprouts can be produced on plastic trays, on mats or pads of stone wool or other substrates, and misted with dilute nutrient solution once the first seedling leaves have expanded. While mung bean sprouts can be grown in the dark to produce the white/yellow pale shoots, pea shoots require a moderate level of light to form the green leaves and tendrils these are harvested with. With shoot, sprout, or micro green production, it is essential that strict hygiene measures are followed. This includes the use of clean, untreated seed, sterilized trays, and high-quality water. For some seed, surface sterilization in a diluted bleach solution followed by rinsing with water helps prevent fungal pathogens and reduces food safety risks during sprout or micro green production. BEANS Fresh beans are a popular vegetable and commonly grown in commercial hydroponic greenhouses year-round. While the green pole or runner bean are the most commonly grown, other beans grown hydroponically include fava (also known as broad bean), lima, and the increasingly popular soybean. Pole or runner bean grown in a hydroponic greenhouse. grow cycle 125