A
multinational light manufacturer and Michigan
State University (MSU) have combined to create the
ultimate vertical farm test lab for light emitting diode
(LED) lights and their impact on indoor
crop growing.
The university’s Department of
Horticulture built a state-of-the-art
controlled environment lighting
laboratory (CELL) that enables
is actually two independently
indoor vertical farming using
controlled and refrigerated
a light system developed
growrooms, each with 12 deep-
by lighting manufacturer
flow hydroponic shelves.
OSRAM. The idea is to use
But it’s the lights that are the true
the facility to research the
workhorse at MSU.
impact of various LED light
The complex LED system was
spectrums and combinations on
designed and implemented by
growing crops in hydroponic solution.
OSRAM, a multinational lighting
Specifically, researchers are looking into
manufacturer headquartered in
how LED lighting effects various traits
Munich, Germany. Lights in the CELL
exhibited by certain crops.
use seven different light channels (colors) ranging
“We think we can manipulate (how
from UV to the far red, along with two different white
plants grow) to a certain point,”
channels. The entire light system
says Erik Runkle, a
is calibrated, and customized
professor in MSU’s
“ The key in terms of the
software enables digital light
Department of
research is learning how specific control of individual shelves,
Horticulture. “So,
allowing for temporal alternations
we’re looking at
LED light colors impact plant
of light quality and intensity.
a couple different
development with all other
“We wanted to
things. One
reduce the variability
is floriculture
of the light output
crops that are
from one canopy to
high-value
another, so we know what each of the fixtures puts out
crops with seasonal demand and
in terms of light and is uniform across all fixtures,” says
leafy greens. You can really have
Rodrigo Pereyra, a research and development manager
a big effect on things like the leaf
at OSRAM. “That way, within a margin of error, we’ll
unfolding, the size of the leaf, the
still have the same results.”
shape of the leaf, the texture of
The key in terms of the research is learning how
the leaf, how dense it is. You can
specific LED light colors impact plant development with
influence nutritional content—that’s
all other factors being equal.
pretty clear. We also think to some
“The real value right now is to develop some
extent you can influence the taste.
understanding around these individual colors for
Those are the areas of research that
plant development and plant health,” says OSRAM’s
we’re investigating right now.”
David Hamby, project lead of the lighting setup for
The CELL is a research-first lab
CELL. “It allows for some independent study of the
for Runkle and MSU’s Department of
impact of the lights.”
Horticulture to study exactly how the
By helping out with light design and providing the
different color spectrums of LED lights (along
LEDs for the CELL, OSRAM is in a win-win position in
with light duration and other factors) impact
terms of being able to take the research and use the
all aspects of crop growing, including taste.
findings to better help its commercial clients properly
Runkle is working with PhD candidate Qingwu
get their lights set up, calibrated, and dialed in for
(William) Meng, who is leading the research
maximum yields.
on lighting to produce those leafy greens with
“We know of other researchers who are working on
desired attributes, which could have a huge impact
similar subjects, but we know the flexibility of our
on vertical farming in the future. Once concluded,
lighting system and our ability to deliver literally an
their research should pinpoint an optimized lighting
infinite combination of different lights, colors, and
blueprint to maximize crop growth that will eliminate
intensities,” Pereya says.
much of the guesswork when it comes to LED lights
and indoor horticulture.
The plan is to publish the findings in both scientific
As the crops are tested, several controls are in place to
journals and trade magazines, but no timetable has
ensure the environment changes as little as possible,
been established, though Runkle says some results
while the recirculating hydroponic system ensures
could be unveiled later this year or early in 2019.
constant nutrition is provided to crop roots. The CELL
factors being equal.”
Maximum Yield
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