The potential of intra-canopy lighting for high-wire crops

Added on 13 June 2022

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The potential of intra-canopy lighting for high-wire crops

GE Current, a Daintree company, is offering open access to the findings of its most recent research collaboration. The study, conducted by Wageningen University & Research (WUR), is the first major scientific investigation into the impact of intra-canopy lighting (ICL) on the quality and volume of vine tomato yields.

The findings of this research, which also saw the first use of Current's new Arize Integral ICL fixture, offer growers of high-wire crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers new options to significantly boost yields without increasing energy consumption or monthly bills.

Published in the form of an easily digestible booklet designed to answer growers' key questions, the study found that by delivering 34% of the daily light integral (DLI) to mature leaves deep within the canopy, and 66% from top lighting (TL), two of the most common tomato cultivars produced an average of 14% more fruit than those with 100% top lighting. There was also no impact on quality or taste, with the harvested fruit receiving similar Brix scores for sugar content and also recording similar levels of acidity to the fruit grown under 100% TL.

"With global energy prices continuing to rise and the added pressures of needing to maintain ever-increasing food supplies, growers are looking for any advantage to help them increase production without incurring additional operating costs or sacrificing quality," says Malcolm Yare, Customer Success Director - Horticulture at Current. "For some growers, intra-canopy lighting could be exactly what they need to maximize their crops' potential and secure the future of their business."