PhytoLux, the UK based LED plant growth specialist, held their third seminar at the Rothamsted Research facility in Harpenden on 11th February 2015, the objective being to share knowledge with the nineteen universities and seven research organisations that have been trialling their Attis range of low energy LED plant growth lights. Thirty research scientists and horticulture delegates attended the seminar.
PhytoLux has been working in partnership with leading UK plant research institutions, universities and commercial growers since 2011 to develop a unique, generic lighting solution that will make it commercially viable for growers to either extend the growing season or grow throughout the winter months.
Steve Edwards presents the successful trial results at Oxford University
Key speakers at the seminar were Julian Franklin, Head of the Horticultural and Controlled Environment Department at Rothamsted Research and Steve Edwards, Managing Director of PhytoLux. Julian has been working with PhytoLux for four years and was therefore able to give an authoritative view regarding the results achieved when using the PhytoLux growth lights for a significant number of crops grown at the facility. The key objective of the trials for Rothamsted Research has been to find a solution that will produce a similar or improved growth result than the High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) SON-T lights previously in use in their greenhouses. Julian was able to report to the group that energy savings in excess of seventy percent have been achieved and he provided evidence of this during a tour of the facility by showing the new energy monitoring devices that have recently been installed to the power supply of each greenhouse.
Steve Edwards provided an overview of the numerous successful trials being undertaken and thanked the participants for their help and support saying that, “The hard work associated with delivering a long R&D programme is now starting to pay off. With the help of all organisations involved in this programme, we have been able to develop our products so that they can be used generically to deliver excellent growth results with many crops and a major decrease in power consumption versus traditional growth lighting. All year round growing in the UK will soon be on the increase.”
Steve continued, “We see ourselves as a solution provider and business partner rather than just a supplier, working with our customers to ensure best practice is shared for the good of everyone. The work undertaken through this programme has been a good example of this”.
Laura McLean of PhytoLux shows the impressive results achieved with the trial at Cardiff University
Supporting Steve on the day was Laura McLean, who has been one of the key contacts with trial participants during the last twelve months. Laura shared the results achieved in a number of trials including;
- University of Bristol: “Stockier, more compact plants with better developed leaves and an average energy saving of 71.4%”
- Cardiff University: “Plants that are stockier and stronger with faster and denser inflorescence, better developed rooting systems and shorter intermodal spacing”.
- Moulton College: “More compact plant morphology, higher chlorophyll content, thicker and sturdier leaves, faster growth rate and higher dry weight, whilst maintaining root:shoot ratio”.
- University of Greenwich: “Plants propagated by tissue culture under the PhytoLux lights rooted faster with a greater number of roots and sturdier root systems”
- Laura commented, “Having so many experienced horticulturists and research scientists together in one room ensures that we are helping each other. The insights provided have played a vital part in helping us develop a product that works for the industry. 2015 is going to be an exciting year for all of us”.
For more information
PhytoLux
Neil Brassington
T: 0774 0024 007
Office: 0844 880 4763
neil.brassington@phytolux.com