Lighting supplier Signify and the University of British Columbia (UBC) have begun the fourth year of their ongoing pepper production trials which are using LED lighting to boost yields.
The trial, which aims to produce more than 40 kg/m² of sweet peppers over a year-round cycle, utilises Signify’s GreenPower LED toplighting force 2.0 (TLF 2.0) with colour control functionality, focusing on dynamic lighting techniques. Syngenta, Rijk Zwaan, BEVO Farms, Priva, and Grodan, are also involved in providing supplies and equipment for the trials.
The latest work builds on research begun in 2017 with trials in the Netherlands, which aimed to explore the feasibility of LED lighting in pepper cultivation. Since expanding to Canada in 2022, the trials at UBC have pursued increasing annual pepper yields with a consistent production level in colder months by fine-tuning dynamic light recipes and improving pruning strategies and variety selection.
According to a statement, the TLF 2.0 LED system is being tested for its capacity to adjust lighting conditions throughout plant growth stages. Rijk Zwaan have provided pepper varieties that may be particularly responsive to LED lighting, such as Gina, Ridona, and Silverstone. As the research progresses into its final phase, findings from related trials conducted globally will be consolidated to provide a broader perspective on LED lighting’s role in controlled-environment agriculture. The insights will be compiled into a comprehensive whitepaper scheduled for release in 2025, intended as a guide for optimising pepper production using LED technology.
Amos Bassi, Plant Specialist at Signify’s Philips Horticulture LED Solutions, commented, “With TLF 2.0 now integrated, we’re exploring how dynamic light recipes can impact crop steering, focusing on the potential benefits to yield and quality.”
“Through our collaborative effort with industry experts, we have created a trial environment that aims to evaluate quality and yield improvements in selected pepper varieties,” added Melina Biron, Research Manager – Plant Care Services at UBC.
