North America: First tomatoes harvested at Mastronardi, grown with Philips LED interlighting

Philips has started trials of horticultural LED interlighting with Mastronardi Produce, one of the largest greenhouse companies in North America. Mastronardi provides year-round growing of gourmet tomatoes, peppers and cucumber as well as seasonal production of eggplant and lettuce. The first results after three months working with LED interlighting are positive; the fruits are heavier and the plants in the LED section recovered better from dark winter days. This resulted in extra yield per m2.

The LED trial is being carried out in high-wire tomato production at Mastronardi’s state-of-the-art greenhouse in Coldwater, Michigan, USA. This is the first greenhouse in North America where LED interlighting is installed on this scale, which underlines their focus on innovation in technology. Mastronardi is constantly seeking to improve and modernize its production facilities.

Philips GreenPower LED interlighting modules have been installed in addition to the existing HPS lamps. These bi-directional modules can be applied as an interlight supplement for tall plants (such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and roses) in a greenhouse, encouraging previously shaded leaves to photosynthesize and stimulating the plant’s growth potential and efficiency. The objective of the LED interlighting trial in Cold water is to increase the number of kilograms of tomatoes produced per m2, particular in winter season. Since LED generate less heat, comparing with HPS, it makes it more easy for Mastronardi to control the climate in the greenhouse. The trial is under way, and the results are being monitored biweekly by a Philips plant specialist and Mastronardi’s grower.

“We are delighted to be working together with Philips on this trial with LED interlighting,” says Paul Mastronardi. Based on experiences with similar results at GreenQ/Improvement Centre and Jami in the Netherlands and at Uman in Ukraine, Philips is confident that GreenPower LED interlighting modules will help Mastronardi achieve their yield increase objectives.

With LED lighting, the growth light – spectral output – can be tuned, which makes it possible to apply the optimum 'light recipe' at every stage of a crop’s growth. This capability, together with effective heat management, long lifetime, high luminous efficiency and energy efficiency, opens up tremendous opportunities for growers and breeders. For the commercial horticulture market this means increased yield, early flowering, faster root growth, and more economical use of space.