Key Takeaways
- Significant Yield Improvements: Strawberry growers using Sollum Technologies dynamic LED lighting have reported yield increases of 43-60% in their second year of production.
- Customized Lighting Strategies: Growers are tailoring light intensity and spectrum to optimize growth per variety, significantly enhancing productivity.
- Cultivation Advantages Over HPS: Dynamic LED lighting allows for higher light intensities without the heat issues associated with HPS lighting, improving photosynthesis and crop yield.
- Future Potential: With ongoing advancements and a focus on sustainable production strategies, dynamic LED lighting continues to promise even greater efficiency and yield benefits.
Overview of Dynamic LED Lighting in Strawberry Production
As the strawberry industry grapples with the uncertainties of new varieties and optimal growing conditions, many growers have turned to dynamic LED lighting for its adaptability and potential to boost crop yields. Leading the charge is Sollum Technologies, whose innovative lighting solutions are setting new standards in greenhouse strawberry production.
Yield Improvements and Strategic Adjustments
Strawberry growers utilizing Sollum’s dynamic LED systems have seen substantial improvements in yield, attributed to their ability to customize lighting according to the developmental stages of the crop. Initial strategies typically involve creating 2-3 lighting zones with real-time dimming adjustments. Over time, growers have expanded their strategies to include multiple lighting zones, varying light spectra throughout the season, and specific light treatments such as far-red light adjustments.
For example, two growers in their second year of implementing these advanced strategies reported yield increases between 43-60%. Additionally, five growers have already exceeded their previous season’s total yields with three months still remaining in the 2023-2024 season, thanks to strategic modifications in light intensity and spectrum.
Optimization Per Variety and Energy Efficiency
In North America, where the Albion variety dominates but often underperforms, growers have used dynamic LED lighting to experiment with different cultivars and customize light conditions for each. By mapping out lighting zones that align with their variety layout, growers can address the specific light-response characteristics of each cultivar. This zoning and spectral tuning have enabled one greenhouse to achieve an average weekly yield of 0.72 kg/m², with peaks up to 1.20 kg/m², while optimizing energy use.
Comparison to HPS Lighting
The comparison between dynamic LED and high-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting systems highlights the advantages of LEDs, particularly in terms of managing heat output and light intensity. Unlike HPS systems, which can overheat sensitive strawberry crops, LEDs support higher light intensities conducive to enhanced photosynthesis and productivity. This has resulted in a 27-30% yield increase under LED lighting compared to HPS systems. Moreover, LEDs allow for extended growing seasons into the cooler shoulder months without the risk of overheating, ensuring consistent flower numbers and fruit set.
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