By Blake Jackson
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) optimizes crop growth by providing ideal conditions, including supplemental lighting. Choosing the right grow lights is crucial, and this guide outlines key considerations for hydroponic systems.
Grow light selection depends on the CEA system. Whether building a new greenhouse (with supplemental light) or a fully indoor farm (solely reliant on artificial light), or adapting an existing setup, lighting needs must be assessed.
Heat generation and space requirements are vital, especially for vertical growing systems. High-pressure sodium lamps, for example, generate too much heat and are too bulky for close-proximity vertical farming.
LEDs and fluorescents are better options, though heat dissipation from LEDs should be considered. Some LEDs offer detachable drivers for better heat management.
Before purchasing grow lights, analyze your system: Is it new or existing construction? How much natural sunlight is available? What's the potential return on investment? What types of lights are feasible?
Once you've narrowed down your options, compare them based on light quality, coverage, intensity, and cost.
Light quality is paramount. Plants utilize light across the spectrum, but photosynthesis peaks in the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) range (400-700 nm), encompassing blue and red light.
Focus on PAR when comparing lights; avoid metrics like lumens and Kelvin, which are relevant to human vision, not plant growth.
Red and far-red light promote growth and flowering, while blue and ultraviolet light can enhance phytonutrient levels (useful for microgreens, for example).
Some grow lights supplement specific wavelengths, like UV and far-red, which can be blocked by greenhouse coverings.
Photo Credit: istock-azmanjaka
Categories: Missouri, Crops