Consistent crop quality and appearance—and favorable prices—become attainable business goals as commercial growers seek to accelerate time to market while offering both retailers and consumers the freshest, most flavorful basil harvest after harvest.
Scientists at Heliospectra’s Plant and Light Research Lab work closely to customize light strategies with customers cultivating basil, herbs, lettuce and microgreens to achieve desired plant characteristics that meet market demands and also optimize plant growth cycles and production.
Aroma 2 basil at harvest after 28 days of treatment, without and with Far Red Spectrum treatment.
Better basil?
One of the projects used Helispectra’s LX60 fully adjustable spectrum lights, comparing two different light spectra to measure the effect of the far-red light on Aroma 2 basil.
After seven days of germination, the Aroma 2 basil seedlings were moved to growth units with the LX601 series lights and a 16 hour photoperiod.
Simulating natural daylight with highest intensity mid-day and lower intensities during the morning and night time hours, we deployed two different lighting strategies. The first spectrum contained blue, red and white LEDs while the second spectrum simulation contained additional far-red. Both light treatments targeted the same daily light integral (DLI) of 13.
Results
At 28 days under LED light, Heliospectra scientists measured and found similar number of leaves, secondary leaves and branching on plants under both light spectrums, but the plants grown under the far-red strategy were 59% taller and achieved a 25% increase in fresh biomass.
This increase in fresh biomass and plant height from the far-red light strategy demonstrates the benefits LED light can have for growers. Giving them a higher level of control over desired plant characteristics, plant growth and harvest cycles that translates to more predictable and consistent business results.
Download the research brief here.
For more information:
Heliospectra
Box 5401 SE-402 29 Göteborg Sweden
Phone: +46 31 40 67 10
Fax: +46 31 83 37 82
info@heliospectra.com
www.heliospectra.com
Box 5401 SE-402 29 Göteborg Sweden
Phone: +46 31 40 67 10
Fax: +46 31 83 37 82
info@heliospectra.com
www.heliospectra.com