Optimisation of the use of artificial light in horticultural production systems using high-efficient light sources and CO2-enrichment

Artificial light is increasingly used to drive the photosynthesis, and thereby increasing the yield and shortening cropping period when growing vegetables and ornamentals in greenhouses. However, this is an energy requiring process. Traditionally, High-pressure sodium lamps have been used for this purpose due to their relatively high efficiency and low price. In recent years, there has been a fast development in new technologies for lighting; especially LED-based technology has attended a great deal of interest. At the same time, the greenhouse sector has developed to become even more high-technological with increased possibilities for precision-control of growth factors. The lighting systems used so far has only been controllable in two steps; on or off. New, LED-technology based systems can also be controlled with respect to intensity and quality of the light. This opens up completely new opportunities for using light as a tool to control the cultivation process, both for optimizing the photosynthetic  yield, and to control the outer and inner quality of the produce. This project deals with optimizing the greenhouse production regarding yield and product quality, exploring the new opportunities offered by new lighting technologies.