This article delves into both the pro and convict of multi - channel tunable LED inflammation to help you decide whether it makes sense to follow through it in your commercial growing operation.
Customizable light recipesTunable LED enable accurate control over the light spectrum , let cultivator to tailor lighting conditions to the specific demand of various plant species and developmental stages . So , with dynamically tunable light fix , on - demand phantasmal customization can be used to raise photosynthesis , improve flora morphology , and potentially increase yields .
This " tunable " feature of dynamically tunable LED could be great for growers in a extremely competitive and/or specialty harvest market where the ability to dial into the optimum spectral formula for a specific cultivar can result in crop quality and/or productivity improvements that distinguish them from the competition .
In other cases , growers may care to " futureproof " their grow environment to provide for different harvest types they may take to grow in the future — base on the shifting profitability of sure crops or other unforeseen impacts , such as crop virus outbreaks .
Although growers typically recall of a ( 4 - canal ) regular that can deliver a fully - tunable spectrum when they hear " dynamical spectrum " , it should be noted that there are also 2- or 3 - channel light-emitting diode products usable which offer growers a broad , efficient spectrum on the independent channel that can be used for the legal age of the ignition agenda , but with 1- or 2- additional channels that give up for circumscribed applications of other wavelengths as and when they are postulate .
For case , the ParFX Ultra 2 - Channel fixture has a formula of 90 % Red : 5 % White : 5 % Blue on the chief transmission channel with a 2nd Far - flushed channel . Studies have bear witness that specific applications of Far - Red light can be very good . For a chrysanthemum cultivator for case , having the power to use a dose of far - red light as and when needed could be great since studies have register that stem extension in chrysanthemums can be contain by use downcast - intensity level far - violent light for half an time of day at the end of the day to deliver longer flowering shoot ( Wageningen University & Research , 2023 ) . likewise , far - violent brightness has been depict to produce enceinte leaf for cucumbers and peppers — minimize fruit stacking or , in the case of strawberries — creating a more open canopy that permit for more light to reach the yield and easier harvesting .
Conversely , the coating of blue Light Within * can be used as a outgrowth regulator to suppresses growth reference , which can be advantageous when height requirements are a broker or when plant call for to be more compact in size of it . grim light receptors may also play a part in the product of carotenoid and anthocyanin maturation . This can be seen in foliage colour , such as enhancing the vividness of red lettuce varieties or increase paint and nutriment in peppercorn ( Naznin et al . , 2019 ) .
determine the optimal light spectrum for each craw and growth stage , however , require extensive noesis and experiment . The interaction between light spectra and plant responses can be complex , and missteps could top to sub - optimal growth and/or fall in yield .
So , although the thought of being capable to adjust and " experiment " with your grow lighting is undeniably exciting and can serve as a valuable tool for some , the reality is that for commercial agriculturalist , consistency and predictability are key . For growers capable to supply contracts with grocery chain / garden centers , their primary focus is go to be on secure uniform quality and issue so as to deliver on those declaration . In which lawsuit , they would probably prefer to eliminate as many variables as possible . Since changes in light vividness and spectrum can affect not only other input signal like nutritive uptake and VPD , but also the plant word structure , growers are advised to initially rig up a trial country to see how their crops execute under various ghostly recipes to avoid potentially compromise one or more harvest cycles across their total harvest .
For those growers who do n’t want to spend time on trying to figure out the optimal luminance spectrum ( and necessary adjustments to other input ) for each specific crop and/or cultivar — a fixed spectrum ( optimized to lodge multiple crop types and growth stage ) might make more sense .
Maintaining optimum light intensityFor years growers have used the " 1 % light volume rule " , which states that a 1 % step-up ( or reduction ) in idle intensity result in a corresponding 1 % addition ( or decrease ) in yields — up to a saturation point ( Marcelis et al . 2006 ) .
Many researchers , include Dr. Erik Runkle and Dr. Bruce Bugbee also agree that in CEA applications where high light intensities are require , the tripping amount ( intensity ) in the main has a solid and more consistent impact on crop proceeds than light quality ( spectrum ) .
So , although agriculturist are aware of the family relationship between low-cal intensity and yield , they may not realize that , when it comes to dynamically tunable LED light , the amount of light ( PPF ) give rise by any tunable light secureness will waver based on the ghostlike formula dialed into . For exemplar , with P.L. Light Systems ' 4 - Channel ParFX Ultra Max tunable light-emitting diode product , if the spectrum is tune up to a recipe of 95 % bolshie : 5 % Blue , the fixture will output 4530 μmol / s of brightness level . If the spectrum is tune up to a formula of 76 % Red River : 6 % White : 8 % blue air : 10 % Far - red , the fixture will output 4130 μmol / s of light . That ’s a difference of around 9 % and by the 1 % intensity rule , this would reduce yield by up to 9 % as well .
So , spectral tuning need to be carefully balanced to maintain equal scant intensity . As a grower , you need to weigh the economic benefits of the likely morphologic sweetening ( taste , colouring , nutritionary value , etc . ) for your crop vs. the likely decrease in proceeds .
get-up-and-go efficiency and power managementLED luminaires are known for their high energy efficiency compared to traditional inflammation system such as high - pressure sodium ( HPS ) . They convert electricity to light more expeditiously and are dimmable — reducing Energy Department consumption and operational toll over time .
In summation to the energy savings offer up by all eminent - quality LED lighting systems , dynamically tunable leave lighting systems offer real - time adjustment of the light-colored intensity in answer to instinctive light levels and/or demand on the electrical power system to fork up maximum control over energy .
If you ’re study investing in multi - channel , tunable light-emitting diode lights , be certain to confirm the fixtures are design with active burden balancing . This means that the power intake is divided over the active channels so , when one or more channels are not in use , the available power will go the main channel — always ensuring optimized power management and photon efficacy .
ascertain protocolsSome kindling manufacturers have develop their own ignition direction systems , based on proprietary communicating protocols , for real - time modification of the lightheaded intensity and/or spectrum , as well as office management . P.L. Light System ’s MeshIQ - enable light-emitting diode luminaires , on the other hand , leverage the Horti Lighting Protocol ( HLP ) of subsist climate control systems like Priva or Hoogendoorn to inflect the light volume and/or spectrum , as well as power management , in real meter .
For the cultivator , the advantage of verify their ignition through their exist environmental command system vs. a disjoined " lighting only " managements scheme , is that the lighting can be integrate into their overall greenhouse power direction scheme that let in warming equipment , screen controls , etc . The environmental control arrangement can also be used to wangle a facility - wide DOE strategy that integrate with utility demand reply programs — where the habit of equipment in the glasshouse is scheduled / managed to reduce the load on electrical storage-battery grid during times of peak demand .
Through the use of HLP , P.L. Light Systems ' MeshIQ wireless dominance arrangement offers seamless stop up - and - gambol integrating with the Horti Lighting Protocol faculty of subsist climate control systems — without any proprietary control protocol or monthly subscription fees , as is the case with light systems from some other manufacturers . So , as a grower , you are the one who owns and control your lighting equipment , not the manufacturer .
monetary value of multi - channel ( dynamic spectrum ) vs. single channel ( sterilize spectrum ) light up systemsThe upfront toll of a dynamically tunable LED systems is typically ( significantly ) higher than that of a fixed spectrum lead lighting organisation . apart from the high-pitched cost of the fixtures themselves , there may be extra costs assort with compatible control systems or software ( admit potential upgrades to trigger off the HLP module ) . Tunable light-emitting diode systems are also more technologically complex than fixed - spectrum inflammation , which may call for additional training for stave .
P.L. Light Systems sleep with the ability to okay - tune lightness spectrum , enables growers to influence not only growth rates but also crop qualities like the immersion of desirable compounds , improved savour , enhanced colour , and shelf life . While customers may be uncoerced to pay more for these crop sweetening , and the incremental revenue potential could cancel the cost of the firing system over time , the initial capex cost disbursal may be a roadblock for some operations .
