Exploring the feasibility of vertical aeroponic tower constructed from locally available materials for sustainable farming in Bangladesh

Conventional agriculture in Bangladesh faces increasing challenges due to declining arable land, water scarcity, and climate variability. Aeroponics offers a resource-efficient alternative by enabling soil-free cultivation with minimal water use. This study designed a low-cost vertical aeroponic tower using locally available materials and evaluated its performance for lettuce (Lactuca sativa) production. During the cultivation process, lettuce was grown in both aeroponics and soil over a 20-day period in February 2025. Plant height, root length, leaf number, dry biomass, water use efficiency (WUE), and economic return were assessed using independent t-tests. Aeroponic plants showed significantly greater height (26.65 cm), root length (12.3 cm), and dry biomass than soil-grown plants. The aeroponic system achieved a WUE of 15.88 g L⁻¹ and used 94% less water than soil cultivation. Economic analysis produced a benefit–cost ratio of 1.164, indicating feasible small-scale adoption. The results demonstrate that vertical aeroponic cultivation method can improve productivity and resource efficiency, offering a promising approach for climate-resilient farming in Bangladesh.