LumiGrow, a smart horticultural lighting company, hosted an exclusive Growers’ Council at Harrow Research and Development Centre last month, to discuss results from the industry’s newest spectral science research findings.  Industry-leaders representing a broad range of vegetable, floriculture and cannabis producers, gathered to learn how to implement modern lighting strategies for their own production.

(Image: LumiGrow Inc.)

Dr. Melanie Yelton, LumiGrow VP of Research, shared preliminary results of recent production trials.  Highlights from recent LumiGrow LED research include: an increase in flowering observed in cucumber, tomatoes, and cannabis; reduction of the spread of powdery mildew in cucumbers using LumiGrow LED lighting; and determination of optimum supplemental LED light intensity for strawberry production.

Dr. Xiuming Hao and Shalin Khosla, of Harrow Research, also presented their own trial results in conjunction with giving growers a tour of their greenhouse facility.  “Growers that attend the LumiGrow Growers’ Council really see value in getting a first-hand look at the plants grown under our LEDs” shares Dr. Melanie Yelton.  “Through research done in collaboration with Harrow, we’re constantly uncovering exciting possibilities.  For instance, we’re seeing it’s possible to increase production numbers and produce firmer, sweeter fruit in peppers using LEDs.”

(Image: LumiGrow Inc.)

Additional LumiGrow research results have shown that 32 days after planting, tomato plants showed a 45% increase in height and a 28% increase in weight, as well as other benefits related to morphology, flowering, root development, and flavor.

The capstone to the meeting was a live demonstration of LumiGrow’s Grow Light Sensor technology, currently being rolled out in LumiGrow’s pilot program.  The light sensor measures ambient light from the sun to combine with supplemental light to provide constant light conditions inside the greenhouse.

“Our partnership approach to research is doing more than to advance understanding of how to successfully utilize LED technology” exclaims Dr. Melanie Yelton.  “At LumiGrow, we also work to create a community for growers by growers, so LED growth strategies can be shared among colleagues looking to achieve production numbers beyond the status quo.”