UK: John Innes Centre continues retrofit with intelligent lighting solutions

Heliospectra announces a new order from the prestigious John Innes Centre in the UK. This order of Elixia and EOS lights complements the previous orders made by the customer and will be part of a new retrofitted glasshouse section fully run by Heliospectra’s helioCORE light control software. The order value is SEK 1.3 million (£ 113,600).

To meet the challenge of feeding a growing population, plant breeders and scientists are continuously looking for ways to increase genetic gain in crop production. The John Innes Centre is currently one of the leading research centers when it comes to speed breeding, a cultivation technique allowing researchers to shorten the breeding cycle and accelerate research studies through rapid generation advancement. Their project has been an immense success. With the help of Heliospectra’s LED grow light solutions, the team was able to achieve wheat generation from seed-to-seed in just 8 to 9 weeks.

“Heliospectra has given us a durable lighting solution that gives us full control of our grow light environment and aided us in producing some amazing research results. Furthermore, LED lighting is a sustainable option that has helped us reduce energy consumption to save money, reduce pollution and minimize environmental footprint, said Dr. Brande Wulff, Project Leader Crop Genetics at the John Innes Centre.

“As one of Europe’s leading research institutions, the John Innes Centre is pushing the boundaries of plant science. Control, intense light, and a reliable light solution are of highest importance,” said Ali Ahmadian, CEO Heliospectra AB. We’re proud to be part of their speed breeding project and ongoing research. We are excited to see what they will present next.”