Key Takeaways
- Joint research by Signify, Grodan, Ridder, Normec Groen Agro Control, Wireless Value, Ammerlaan, and BASF shows low-energy tomato cultivation is possible.
- Year 2 trial achieved a yield of 18.24 kg/m², Brix value of 9.32, and average fruit size of 12.20 g.
- Energy savings achieved through optimized LED lighting and reduced rail pipe heating.
- Refined nutrient strategies improved uptake and fruit quality.
- Stable greenhouse climate conditions enabled consistent growth and development.
Second-Year Trial Results Of The Signify & Grodan Research
Research led by Signify, Grodan, and partners has demonstrated that tomato production with significantly lower energy use can be achieved without compromising yield or quality when applying a holistic cultivation approach.
In the second year of the trial, key results included:
- Yield: 18.24 kg/m².
- Brix value: 9.32.
- Average fruit size: 12.20 g.
- Reduced gas use by lowering reliance on the rail pipe heating system.
- 2% additional electricity savings from dynamically adjusting LED lighting, switching off less efficient colors when not needed.
- Stable leaf area index (LAI) through low-nitrate feeding.
- Improved nutrient uptake and higher Brix levels from optimized potassium, magnesium, and calcium ratios.
- Consistent crop development supported by an advanced dehumidification system.
Focus Areas: Lighting, Climate, and Nutrients
Building on strong first-year outcomes, the second year of the project emphasized lighting and climate control alongside irrigation and nutrient management.
- Lighting and Climate: Less efficient LED colors were dimmed to save energy, while advanced thermal screens reduced energy use and maintained stability.
- Irrigation and Nutrients: Dehumidification helped balance growth and leaf development during winter lighting, and refined feed recipes supported fruit size and quality.
Signify & Partners’ Implications for Energy-Efficient Cultivation
The findings confirm that low-energy tomato production is technically feasible and can be scaled using current greenhouse technologies. By combining dynamic lighting strategies, refined nutrient management, and advanced climate control, growers can reduce both energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining yields and product quality.
The results suggest a practical pathway for greenhouse operators aiming to balance sustainability goals with profitability in commercial cultivation.
Read the entire report.
