Novato, California, USA
October 14, 2015
Seven new scientific posters from LumiGrow Research reveal that yield and morphology are controllable by light in wide range of commercial and research crops
LumiGrow Research, the research division of horticultural LED lighting manufacturer LumiGrow, Inc., today released seven new scientific posters that reveal how crop morphology and productivity can be affected through the application of varied light spectra. LumiGrow research, conducted in partnership with commercial growers and universities, demonstrates breakthrough capabilities that adjustable-spectrum LED lighting now provides growers.
Three key findings from the research:
- Crop height, flowering and bushiness can be controlled through the application of varied spectra. This capability is particularly important in the flower industry, where these phenotypes are currently controlled by plant growth regulators (PGRs). A reduction in the use of PGR chemicals may be an unexpected benefit of spectrum control.
- Light can be used to produce higher value food. Spectra have been shown to control flavor and nutritional value in every food tested including broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes and basil.
- Adjustable-spectrum lighting has been shown to be superior to traditional, fixed-spectrum lighting in the production and longevity of flowers suitable for market.
This body of research supports the advancement of crop- and site-specific precision agriculture into greenhouses and other controlled environment agriculture environments. Previous research primarily focused on optimizing pesticides, nutrients and irrigation. The versatility of networked solid-state lighting technologies, such as the LumiGrow solution, enables novel research into the affect of light, a critical growth variable, on greenhouse crop production.
"LumiGrow is taking LED research from theoretical to practical use, as demonstrated by the success of our growers," said Melanie Yelton, director of Research at LumiGrow. Dr. Yelton leads research collaborations with scientists at the University of California, Davis; University of Guelph; and Harrow Research Centre, among other prominent institutions and agencies, along with numerous commercial greenhouse operators.
These posters detailing the resulting research are now downloadable in their entirety from the LumiGrow website:
Bush S, Maloof J & Yelton M. Analysis of Arabidopsis light-sensitive mutants grown under different ratios of LED and compared to fluorescent lighting. Poster session presented at American Society of Horticultural Science, 2015; New Orleans, Louisiana.
Byrtus J, Egan K & Yelton M. LEDs control growth and flowering in greenhouse-grown Zinnia marylandia. Poster session presented at ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting, 2014; Long Beach, California.
Byrtus J & Yelton M. LED lighting can control plant growth, flavor and aroma in Ocimum basilicum (basil). Poster session presented at ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meeting, 2014; Long Beach, California.
Byrtus J & Yelton M. Supplemental LED lighting increases winter tomato production in central North Carolina greenhouse tomatoes. Poster session presented at American Society of Horticultural Science Annual Conference, 2015; New Orleans, Louisiana.
Holley J, Yelton M & Heiner L. LED lighting and Phalaenopsis orchids, light wavelength effect on the flowering spike. Poster session presented at American Society of Horticultural Science Annual Conference, 2014; Orlando, Florida.
Llewellyn D, Vinson K & Zheng Y. LED superior to HPS for cut gerbera production. Poster session presented at American Society of Horticultural Science Annual Conference, 2014; Orlando, Florida.
Llewellyn D, Kong Y, Zheng Y & Yelton M. Optimum light level for snapdragon production with LEDs. Poster session presented at American Society of Horticultural Science Annual Conference, 2015; New Orleans, Louisiana.
For more information about LumiGrow spectral research, visit www.lumigrow.com, call (800) 514-0487 or email research@lumigrow.com.
About LumiGrow, Inc.
LumiGrow, Inc., the leader in spectrum control systems, empowers growers and scientists with the ability to create individual lighting solutions that improve plant growth, boost crop yields, and achieve cost-saving operational efficiencies. LumiGrow offers a range of proven solutions for use in greenhouses, controlled environment agriculture and research chambers. LumiGrow solutions are eligible for energy-efficiency subsidies from utilities across North America. The company's more than 3,000 installations in 30 countries include top global agribusinesses, many of the world's top 100 produce and flower growers, more than 200 universities and the USDA. Headquartered in Novato, California, LumiGrow is privately owned and operated. For more information, call (800) 514-0487 or visit www.lumigrow.com, www.twitter.com/lumigrow or www.facebook.com/lumigrow.
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