Source: floraldaily.com
Philips Lighting, a company owned by Royal Philips, is helping rose nurseries to improve quality and increase yields. Philips is involved in a trial that began in April 2016 at the Delphy Improvement Centre in Bleiswijk. In this trial 100% GreenPower LED toplighting with a light level of 200 µmol/m²/s is being used.
Effect on quality and branch weight
The study, which will go on for 18 months, will provide information about the effect of 100% LEDs on the quality and branch weight of roses. The trial ties in with the principles of The New Cultivation: an energy-efficient method of cultivation combined with optimal production. The project is receiving support from the Rose crop cooperative and is partly financed by ‘Kas als Energiebron’ (‘Greenhouse as a source of energy’), the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs’ and ‘LTO Glaskracht Nederland’s’ innovation and action program.
The aim of the study is to demonstrate that cultivation using 100% LEDs is possible. LEDs are the key to efficient, energy-saving cultivation, which also makes for a better-quality end product. Higher and higher light intensities are being used in rose cultivation because the crop performs best under these conditions. Lamps that use old technology produce excess heat. With LED toplighting, higher light levels can be achieved with less excess heat.
Improved energy balance
“Lighting with LEDs improves the balance between light and heat, allowing screens to be kept closed and creating a uniform climate,” says Arie de Gelder, project leader of the rose trial and researcher at Wageningen University and Research Centre. “The main challenge is to be found in the plant temperature at the top of the crop as compared with conventional lighting. We are very curious to see how the rose crop responds to this. Eventually this combination of light and temperature should give rise to a further improvement in quality in the form of larger flowers and higher branch weight.”
Sustainable cultivation
In rose cultivation, a 25% reduction in electricity consumption can be achieved with LEDs as compared with conventional lighting. A combination of heat exchangers and a heat pump makes it possible to eliminate fossil energy and take a step in the direction of sustainable cultivation. Thanks to a sophisticated combination of lighting, heating and cooling, with maximum usage of screens, no excess heat will be produced. The direct result of this is lower CO₂ emissions. There will also be lower light emission if the screens stay closed for longer. The balanced energy distribution and movement of air make for a resilient crop that is less sensitive to mildew.
Optimal lighting
For Philips, this trial is another step forward. Following successes achieved with tomatoes and strawberries under LEDs, roses are the next trial crop. “We expect to be able to move to even higher light levels with LEDs, with control of light and temperature being separated,” says Leontiene van Genuchten, plant specialist at Philips. “Many growers are convinced that HPS lamps are required in order to obtain a suitable crop temperature. In this trial we will find out whether we get at least the same result using a different cultivation method.”
For more information
Philips Horticulture LED Solutions, Nederland
Daniela Damoiseaux
Global Marcom Manager
T: +31 (0)6 316 5 2969
daniela.damoiseaux@philips.com
www.philips.com/horti
Delphy Improvement Centre
Marc Grootscholten
Manager Delphy Improvement Centre
T: +31 (0)654628588
m.grootscholten@delphy.nl
www.delphy.nl
Wageningen University
Arie de Gelder
Researcher Greenhouse climate and energy
Tel. +31 (0)3174 85448
Arie.deGelder@wur.nl
www.glastuinbouw.wur.nl