After three years of research on high-wire cucumbers, it has been demonstrated how adapting light spectra throughout the day can transform plant performance. The study began in 2019, when growers reported that the market-standard fixed spectrum (5% blue, 5% white, 90% red) led to weak, yellowing plants, especially during low-light months.
"In contrast, dynamic lighting—where blue and far-red light levels are adjusted relative to red top light—produced more compact plants with flatter leaves and stronger overall growth. Across multiple trials, this strategy increased cucumber yields by more than 20%, while reducing energy consumption compared to conventional fixed-spectrum systems", the team of researchers shares. They are part of the research team at PARC, the center for research in photobiology and agronomy of RED horticulture.
A team of agronomists, engineers and photobiologists there bridges the gap between growers' needs and research, ensuring that every discovery has practical value for horticulture. "Four dedicated research rooms allow us to work across a wide range of crops, from ornamentals and young plants to high-wire vegetables", they share. Since 2022, the center has already carried out close to forty trials, each designed to create targeted lighting strategies that improve both plant performance and production efficiency.
© RED Horticulture
MyRED, RED's patented software
In addition to light research, energy consumption is taken into account. Thanks to RED's patented software, MyRED™, energy is applied more intelligently, reducing consumption while enhancing crop performance.
"This principle of combining higher yields with greater efficiency is taken even further with our Smart Dimming technology", said Nicolas Thibaut, chief Information Officer at RED Horticulture. "These results highlight a crucial insight: plant morphology is decisive in achieving high and consistent yields. By tailoring light recipes to optimize crop architecture, PARC researchers are helping growers unlock higher performance while reducing energy consumption. Cucumbers, highly sensitive to light quality, illustrate just how powerful dynamic lighting can be."
"MyRED is a game changer when it comes to lighting management, leveraging the power of photobiology to save energy and time for the grower while automatically fitting the crops' needs" Nicolas concludes.
Click here for a video of PARC
Seamless integration from PARC to grower
What makes RED Horticulture's approach unique is that these insights don't remain in the lab. Thanks to MyRED™, growers can directly apply the results of PARC's cucumber trials to their own greenhouses in just a few clicks.
"Light programs designed by our photobiologists are exported from PARC and seamlessly imported to production sites", Nicolas shows. "MyRED then automatically adjusts the spectrum of the luminaires in real time, relying on RED mesh radio communication and setpoints defined through our agronomy knowledge and plant modeling. This saves growers valuable time while ensuring crops receive the right light at the right time."
RED T series
"Thanks to our patented four-channel LED design, RED Horticulture enables precise, dynamic control of blue, red, far-red, and white light", said Abraham Moreda, product development and Industrialization manager at RED Horticulture. "Optimized optics ensure every plant receives uniform, efficient illumination, boosting performance while cutting power use. Combining advanced hardware, software, and agronomy, our system enhances crop growth, automates lighting, and maximizes efficiency. With Smart Dimming, growers achieve higher yields and energy savings effortlessly."
Through PARC and MyRED, RED Horticulture turns photobiology into proven, real-world results, delivering scientifically tested lighting recipes for sustainable, high-performance horticulture. "Our new optical plate allows us to direct the light specifically toward the crops, ensuring high efficiency while maintaining excellent homogeneity", Abraham concludes.
For more information:
RED Horticulture
horticulture.red/
Netherlands
Pim Joeloemsingh – Sales Manager
+31 647 566 775
[email protected]
Europe
Jean-Luc Ivaldi – Key Account Manager
+33 427 823 794
[email protected]
