Studies from the University of Delaware have unveiled innovative approaches to optimize the flowering process in long-day ornamental plants through targeted LED lighting solutions. These findings hold significant potential for greenhouse growers and horticulturists aiming to achieve precise flowering schedules and enhance crop quality.
The research, published in two recent studies, examines how specific light spectra and durations can influence flowering regulation.
The first study evaluated the comparative effectiveness of warm-white and red + far-red LED lamps in promoting flowering. It found that selecting the right spectrum and timing of light exposure can significantly influence plant development. The findings highlight the importance of balancing light quality with the unique needs of specific ornamental species, paving the way for more sustainable and efficient greenhouse practices.
The study provides recommendations for growers on how to optimize lighting strategies to enhance flower production efficiently. The second study complementing the first study examined increasing the nighttime lighting duration to hasten flowering of long-day plants. This research demonstrated that extending the duration of nighttime lighting using LED lamps can accelerate flowering in long-day plants. By manipulating light exposure during critical photoperiods, growers can gain greater control over flowering schedules, potentially reducing production times and increasing market flexibility.
Together, these studies provide actionable insights for growers seeking to leverage LED lighting technology to improve efficiency and sustainability. The findings underscore the role of light quality, timing, and duration as critical tools in modern horticultural practices, offering a roadmap for achieving optimal results in ornamental crop production.
Dr. Qingwu Meng led this greenhouse floriculture lighting research, which was funded by the American Floral Endowment (AFE), with experimental assistance from former University of Delaware student researchers, including Ian Kelly and Thomas Kramer. Dr. Meng conceptualized this research to address knowledge gaps in photoperiodic control of flowering with LED lighting in economically important long-day floriculture crops.
Dr. Meng is Assistant Professor of Controlled-Environment Horticulture, University of Delaware.
The full stories can be found on the ASHS HortScience electronic journal website at:
https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17762-24 and https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI17566-23
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