Participants:
This experiment is being conducted by a partnership of BASF, Sollum, 30 MHz, Advanced Heating Technologies, and GFSC.
Research Question:
Cucumber plants are sensitive to the light spectrum, particularly far-red (FR) light, which is essential for healthy growth. The research focuses on determining the optimal ratio between PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) and FR (far-red light). The goal is to optimize the impact of far-red light, improve the growth response, and reduce energy costs by strategically adjusting the intensity and timing of far-red light.
Cultivation setup:
- Substraten: Rockwool, for uniform water and nutrient uptake.
- Plant density: 2.5 plants per square meter, allowing optimal utilization for the thinning strategy later.
- Thinning strategy:
- The first fruit develops at the 6th node, followed by one pair of leaves.
- Thinning alternates to ensure balanced fruit development.
- Starting at the 6th node compensates for the smaller size of the initial plants.
Light plan:
- Starting spectrum: 81% red, 5% blue, 5% green/white, and 9% far-red.
- Far-red is applied at the beginning and end of the day.
- After the first harvest, expected on 06/12/2024, the proportion of far-red will be reduced based on the measured PAR:FR ratio. The first harvest is expected to be slower due to very small, slow-growing plants.
- Lighting duration:
- Initially started with 12 hours of lighting (125 µmol/m²/s).
- Increased to 18 hours of lighting (250 µmol/m²/s) from 25/11/2024.
Heating strategy:
Traditional growth tubes have been replaced with infrared heating strips, which are expected to be more efficient and provide more even heating.
Cultivation conditions:
- Temperature:
- A 24-hour temperature range of 22–23°C.
- Natural sunset is integrated into the lighting schedule.
Project team:
- Linda Nooren: Projectleiding
- Silvester de Nooijer: Onderzoeker
- Richard Spijker: Teeltmanagement
- Eric van Vliet: Teeltadviseur
- Niels van Geest: Delphy Digital (QMS-tomaat)
This experiment aims to combine innovative lighting and heating technologies to achieve a more sustainable and efficient cucumber cultivation system.
These experts are happy to talk to you
Call us at +31 (0)317 491 578 or send an email to info@delphy.nl
