Saturday, August 23, 2025

Study Reveals Targeted Red Light Supplementation Enhances Efficiency in Vertical Farming

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As urban demands for sustainable food production rise, controlled-environment vertical farms (CEVFs) have emerged as viable solutions for cultivating crops. However, their high energy consumption, primarily due to artificial lighting, poses challenges. A recent study focused on optimizing LED lighting by adding deep red (DR) and far red (FR) light to a white LED base. The research evaluated the growth of lettuce and basil under various lighting conditions. Results showed that doubling light intensity boosted biomass significantly—by 76% for lettuce and 79% for basil—compared to white light alone. Additionally, while supplemental FR enhanced leaf numbers and canopy size, DR was beneficial for overall biomass. These findings indicate that targeted light supplementation can improve light-use efficiency in CEVFs, providing a pathway toward more sustainable agricultural practices.

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