Belgium: Promising trial results in tomatoes under LED

Research at the ‘Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt’ (PSKW) in Sint-Katelijne-Waver (BE) is in full swing. The research facility compares 4 different lighting strategies. The reference is 180 μMol/m2/s with SON-T lamps, as this is most comparable to the current situation at tomato growers. On top of that, there are three areas with each a higher light level using different fixture configurations. This way the researchers are able to review which configuration gives the highest production at the lowest power consumption. Also, within all areas both an ‘open’ crop type is compared to a more 'closed’ type of crop. This study is a follow-up of the research which started last year.

3 light levels
The following lighting levels have been used:

217 μMol/m2/s single SON-T
257 μMol/m2/s interlighting (hybrid)
258 μMol/m2/s top lighting (Oreon Grow Light 2.1)

Mid-term results
The mid-term results show that the highest production is achieved in the ‘open’ crop type with SON-T in combination with Oreon LED top lighting. The production with SON-T top lighting combined with LED interlight scored second best and showed equal production figures in both open and closed crop. Then comes the SON-T and LED top lighting in the more 'closed' crop. And yet again, there is no increased production in the treatment with an increased light intensity with SON-T in comparison to the reference.

The trial will continue until the second quarter of 2017.

For more information:
Lemnis Oreon
Lorentzlaan 6
3401 MX IJsselstein
Netherlands
T: +31 30 760 0660
E: info@lemnis-oreon.com
www.lemnis-oreon.com