Philips GrowWise Reveals Research Results on Indoor Vertical Farming

Philips Lighting, a global leader in lighting, today shared results from over 50 research projects carried out at its GrowWise Center during its first year of operation. This facility at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, the Netherlands aims to develop the blueprint for the city farm of the future and is the largest research facility of its kind with a total growing surface of 234 square meters. The research findings confirm that growth recipes can be successfully used to influence virtually any characteristic of crops, from taste, texture, smell and color to yields, growth speed, blossoming and much more.

“Within one year of operations at Philips GrowWise, we have already developed many specific growth recipes for international retailers and city farm entrepreneurs,” says Udo van Slooten, Manager of Philips Horticulture LED Solutions. “Through our collaborations with plant breeders and professionals in the vertical farming market, we are becoming known as an expert in the entire growth process of plants and in developing indoor cultivation facilities with knowledge reaching beyond lighting.”

Philips Lighting releases plant growth results using LED lights. (All photos courtesy of Philips Lighting)

Research results help to re-engineer plants and improve standard crops

To expand the varieties of crops that can be grown in a vertical farm, trials have been done on broccoli, bimi, spring onions, radishes, strawberries and many others. In the strawberry trial, for example, GrowWise was able to raise the sugar level from a Brix value of 6-8 to 9.5, making it much sweeter and tastier. Early results from growing broccoli and bimi also show that these vegetables are suitable for growing in environments without daylight.

Other qualitative research trials resulted in low-nitrate lettuce which could have potential health benefits. GrowWise has successfully cultivated vibrant red Lolla Rossa lettuce, a popular variety with consumers that is difficult to color under artificial light. Other trials managed to grow more fragrant smelling basil to enhance taste and other plant qualities.

A man takes notes of plant growth conditions under LED grow lights.

For standard indoor crops, such as salad greens and herbs, researchers are using growth recipes to improve specific characteristics, such as yield, texture or quality. One trial doubled the yield of Salanova frill lettuce compared to high-end greenhouses. Another trial extended the shelf life and crunchiness of salad greens, while another test produced spicier mustard leaves which might appeal to Asian consumers. 

Results from growers using Philips growth recipes can be found here: www.philips.com/horti

Disclaimers of Warranties
1. The website does not warrant the following:
1.1 The services from the website meets your requirement;
1.2 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the service;
1.3 The accuracy, reliability of conclusions drawn from using the service;
1.4 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness, or security of any information that you download from the website
2. The services provided by the website is intended for your reference only. The website shall be not be responsible for investment decisions, damages, or other losses resulting from use of the website or the information contained therein<
Proprietary Rights
You may not reproduce, modify, create derivative works from, display, perform, publish, distribute, disseminate, broadcast or circulate to any third party, any materials contained on the services without the express prior written consent of the website or its legal owner.

Violumas, provider of high-power UV LED solutions and inventor of 3-PAD LED technology, is proud to launch the release of new 275nm and 265nm LEDs in mid-power, high-power, and high-density packages. The radiant flux of the new 275nm and 265nm... READ MORE

DURHAM, NC – November 12, 2024 –– Cree LED, a Penguin Solutions brand (Nasdaq: PENG), today announced the launch of its new CV28D LEDs with FusionBeam™ Technology, a groundbreaking advancement for the LED signage market... READ MORE