LED lighting in plant growth research

More and more, plant scientists are integrating LEDs into their research programs to meet their needs for a specific light spectrum and to reduce the operational cost of their controlled growth environments. Integrating best of breed technologies, Conviron offers preconfigured LED lighting options and we work extensively with clients to develop customized solutions to suit specific research requirements.

With multiple suppliers of LED technology available, researchers can select from a variety of solutions to best suit their research objectives, considering factors such as:

• Light Source - LEDs can serve as a primary source of light, or to supplement other light sources with blue or red/far-red wavelengths.
• Spectrum - narrow band or continuous wide spectrum LEDs can be used to deliver a unique light spectrum to plants.
• Adjustability - fixed spectrum LEDs can be used in combinations of fixtures to create a blended spectrum within a controlled environment. Variable spectrum LED systems allow the researcher to control spectral composition by adjusting the intensity of individual LED color channels within the fixture.
• Intensity - LEDs retain their spectral profiles when dimmed, providing consistency in spectrum as researchers adjust intensities throughout the light cycle.
• Environment - unlike fluorescent bulbs, LED output remains vastly more stable as chamber temperature decreases, providing consistency in spectrum for a wide range of temperatures.

Reducing Energy Consumption

LEDs are an energy efficient light source for plant research in controlled environments. LEDs direct all their light toward the plant without the reflectors required by other light sources that emit radially. While LEDs emit significantly more light per unit of input energy than fluorescent bulbs, they also produce less radiant heat, and can therefore be placed closer to plant material. With less waste heat, the cooling requirement for the controlled environment is diminished and the total energy used by an LED-equipped chamber is substantially reduced.