It is still too early to launch the light recipe as the optimal solution. However, Philips is sufficiently convinced to launch the Toplight with this spectrum commercially. And the growers certainly find it appealing enough to follow this direction further. In any case, the trial at the Improvement Center will be continued for at least another year and a half. The test will again be done with only LED light. And with two varieties: Red Naomi and Avalanche.
The first half of Avalanche roses have just been planted. The second half will be planted a few weeks later. Two plant dates ensure a spread harvest.
Leontiene closely follows the research at the Improvement Center. Every Friday, the progress is discussed with a team of stakeholders. Leontiene: "The results with the new light spectrum are good so far. The quality of the roses is measurably improving: stem weight, gram/cm, bud height, fresh weight and dry matter percentage. The improvement is also visible. You see that the roses are ‘lifted’ with quality.
New light spectrum
In addition to the test at the Improvement Center, practical tests have been held at three companies since the beginning of this year. In all these companies, the new light recipe is compared with the existing recipe. And the growers are unanimously enthusiastic about the results of the first quarter. At Arend Rozen there is a test setup with White Soda. They mainly see that the weight (g/cm) of the branch is better. SK Rozen cultivates Avalanche. They see that the buds are larger, the branches longer and heavier and there are less thorns. PortaNova tests Red Naomi and notes that the addition of white light is more labor-friendly. Also here the quality of the branches has improved compared to the existing recipe. The growers are very curious what will happen when they cultivate the whole year with this new spectrum.
At the time of this interview, the sun was exuberant and therefore only half of the LED lights were switched on. The luminaires are connected like a checkerboard, so that the light is well distributed in the greenhouse.
Because the new spectrum has a different composition than the existing spectrum, this module is slightly less efficient than the existing spectrum. However, by including the new spectrum in the upgrade of the Toplight, the efficiency does not reduce and comes to 2.8-3.0 μmol.
Leontiene: "LED emits less heat radiation than SON-T. This makes it easier for rose growers to go to higher light levels and make more exposure hours. With this new spectrum the quality of the roses is also good. This offers opportunities for the future of the growers."
For more information:
Philips Lighting Horticulture LED Solutions
Daniela Damoiseaux, Global Marcom Manager Horticulture at Philips Lighting
Tel: +31 6 31 65 29 69
E: daniela.damoiseaux@philips.com
www.philips.com/horti