2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Objective(s):
The objective of this workshop is to discuss the most recent technology and applications of LEDs in research and commercial settings.  Light-emitting diode (LED) technology is being adopted as both sole-source and supplemental lighting for horticultural plant production in controlled environments.  Opportunities now exist to apply LED technologies to increase the efficiency of specialty crop production and maximize product quality.  What is lacking is research support for these industries. This technology allows for specific control of light quality to eliminate spectra outside the photosynthetic action spectrum to maximizing photosynthetic efficiency. Reducing abiotic light stress may have dramatic impacts on plant growth and development, physiology, and energy fluxes within metabolic pathways. Work by many research groups around the country, and around the world is establishing important plant responses to different wavelengths of light from LEDs. Nick Klase, co-founder & CEO of Fluence Bioengineering, has agreed to speak at the workshop to discuss the latest advances in controlled environment lighting using LEDs.  The company supplies innovative LED lighting to specialty crop markets world-wide. The workshop will also be highlighted by a roundtable discussion group of our CE group members to share their experiences with LED lighting and to discuss current and future applications. As producers select LEDs as a lighting option, they will need more information on the delicate management needed to maximize crop production and quality parameters.