ISO 23016-1:2025

Overview

ISO 23016-1:2025 - Fine bubble technology - Agricultural applications - Part 1: Test method for evaluating the growth promotion of hydroponically grown lettuce - specifies a standardized laboratory test method to quantify how fine bubble water affects the growth of hydroponically grown lettuce. The standard measures the incremental gain in mass of stems and leaves over a defined growth period, enabling objective performance comparisons of fine bubble generating systems used in plant factories and hydroponic production.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and objective: Evaluate growth promotion of lettuce by estimating mass increase of stems and leaves when exposed to fine bubble water versus control (raw water).
• Two-line test configuration: Parallel lines - a fine bubble water line (treated) and a control water line (raw water) - supplied to separate hydroponic sections to provide direct comparative data.
• Fine bubble generating system: Defines fine bubbles as bubbles < 100 µm and requires continuous, monitored operation of the system throughout the test period.
• Water and nutrient handling: Fine bubble water is mixed with liquid fertilizer in a mixing tank; control line uses raw water mixed with the same fertilizer dosage.
• Environmental monitoring: Mandatory measurement and recording of atmospheric temperature, CO2 concentration, relative humidity, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density).
• Measurement and reproducibility: Plant mass measured with a calibrated scale (readability 0.1 g). The standard requires preliminary tests to confirm reproducibility and specifies statistical actions if significant differences arise.
• Apparatus and setup details: Recommendations for tank design (gas-barrier inner surfaces to limit air exposure, laminar flow), water flow and volume recording, and operator documentation (operation manual, sampling, records).
• Reporting and annexes: Test report requirements plus informative annexes with example results, recording formats, and confirmation test examples.

Practical applications and users

ISO 23016-1:2025 is designed for:

• Agri‑tech and hydroponic equipment manufacturers evaluating fine bubble generating systems
• Plant factories and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) operators testing growth-enhancement technologies
• Research institutions studying bubble-mediated plant responses
• Certification bodies and purchasers seeking objective performance data for fine bubble systems

Adopting this ISO test method helps stakeholders compare systems, support technology transfer, document product claims, and accelerate market acceptance of fine bubble technology in agricultural and food-industry applications.

Related standards

• ISO 20480-1: Terminology for fine bubble technology
• ISO 20480-2: Categorization of fine bubble attributes

Keywords: ISO 23016-1:2025, fine bubble technology, hydroponic lettuce, growth promotion test method, plant factory, fine bubble water, fine bubble generating system, PPFD, dissolved oxygen.