Application of LED Grow Light

In life science applications, high-power LEDs bring revolutionary advantages. For example, in the field of horticulture, LED grow light have obvious advantages in energy efficiency, low or no maintenance, spectral control and beam control. However, plants need to get different things from light, while some metrics such as efficacy (lumen/Watt) or CRI may or may not provide the desired results for plants and flowers. In addition, plants differ from humans in that they have a day and night cycle and vary widely from plant to plant.

Despite this, in greenhouses, especially in urban or vertical farms, growers are rapidly turning to solid-state lighting, and horticultural industry practitioners are also studying the needs of plants, hoping to develop different “light formulas” to get the most Good plant growth and yield.

The role of solid-state lighting in gardening

The use of LED grow light in fruit and vegetable farming is primarily to extend the growing season, especially in the colder regions of the summer. In the past, artificial lighting for plant growth was primarily high pressure sodium lamps (HPS). However, one obvious advantage of LED-based solid-state lighting is that lighting does not generate heat, and growers can interactively use the lights, that is, to place light in or near the plant, illuminating the lower part of the plant vertically or horizontally.

However, the biggest impact of LEDs is on growing green leafy vegetables and herbs, because these can only grow to heights measured in inches and can grow on shelves, each with a dedicated set of LED fixtures close to the plant. Such tiered shelves are common in so-called urban or vertical farms, which occupy relatively small growth spaces in buildings near the population center, while optimal lighting and techniques, including hydroponic cultivation, can be compared to outdoor Achieve shorter growth cycles.

Urban farm

In fact, the biggest impact of LED grow lighting on gardening is urban farms. Growers planting in large-scale vertical farms in the city mean that transportation costs are reduced, consumers can eat them on the same day that they harvest in some cases, and the shelf life of the products will be longer. Agricultural carbon emissions will be greatly reduced due to the shortening of transportation and the need for mechanical equipment for traditional farming.

The benefits of LED gardening are also increasing for consumers. Consumers can get fresher products. In addition, urban farms are generally free of pesticides, and production may not even require washing because they are usually grown in a clean medium in a hydroponic manner rather than in soil. In the future, the method of planting tends to save water, especially in areas like arid areas or where groundwater and/or soil are contaminated.