Electric lighting is used in greenhouses to regulate the photoperiod to control flowering, or to increase growth to increase crop quality and yield. It is also used for sole-source lighting of plants grown indoors. A few books and summary articles are below, followed by more in-depth articles on specific topics.
- Light Management in Controlled Environments, a book edited by Roberto Lopez and Erik Runkle, contains 18 chapters written by 20 leading plant scientists about how light influences plant growth and development of specialty crops grown in greenhouses and controlled-environment growth rooms.
- LED Lighting for Urban Agriculture, a book edited by Toyoki Kozai, Kazuhiro Fujiwara, and Erik Runkle that focuses on light-emitting diode (LED) lighting for the commercial production of horticultural crops in plant factories and greenhouses. It contains 32 chapters written by plant scientists and engineers in Asia and the U.S.
- Use of Lighting to Accelerate Crop Timing by Erik Runkle and Matthew Blanchard, Michigan State University.
- Greenhouse Glazing by A.J. Both, Rutgers University.
Resources
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Supplemental lighting guidelines for young plants
Published on January 24, 2010
Recent university research has examined how plants respond to daily light integral at different times of the year in various areas of the country. -
Strategies for supplemental lighting
Published on November 24, 2009
Different methods of greenhouse lighting have different purposes — sometimes to extend the photoperiod and sometimes to increase the daily light interval. Knowing their differences may help you make better choices for your operation. -
LEDs in floriculture
Published on June 24, 2009
LED technology, first used in the mid-1980s, has come a long way and may make its way into the greenhouse in coming years. -
Manipulating light in the greenhouse
Published on June 24, 2009
This article presents research on a high-pressure sodium fixture with an oscillating reflector to regulate flowering of greenhouse crops. -
Providing long-days with CFLs
Published on March 24, 2009
Answering the question of can compact fluorescent lamps save energy and still light your crops adequately? -
Tips for using light sensors
Published on January 24, 2009
In winter, low light levels can limit production. And in summer, too much light can stress crops. Measuring light accurately is one step to harnessing growing conditions. -
What is your photoperiod?
Published on September 24, 2008
Understanding your location's natural photoperiod will help determine the most economical strategy for providing long days when needed -
Greenhouse shading options
Published on March 24, 2008
As spring approaches and days get gradually longer, growers need to look at ways to limit the light and heat that affect their most sensitive crops. -
LIP it! (Limited inductive photoperiod)
Published on January 24, 2008
Providing a limited inductive photoperiod (LIP) can produce compact long-day plants and energy-cost savings. -
Cyclic long-day lighting
Published on December 24, 2007
Shortening the duration of darkness with night-interruption lighting can help some plants flower earlier. -
Maximizing supplemental lighting
Published on November 24, 2007
It’s no secret that increasing the amount of daily light integral that greenhouse crops receive per day can result in higher-quality, healthier product. But do you know how to get the most value out of supplemental lighting? -
Light quality defined
Published on June 24, 2007
Helping growers understand the fundamental dimensions of light. -
The benefits of lighted plugs
Published on March 24, 2007
One of the most cost-effective uses of supplemental lighting is during the production of seedling plugs and rooted liners. Learn how high daily light integrals benefit plants. -
Providing long days
Published on January 24, 2007
Crop development can be accelerated with the use of low-intensity lighting. Here are the answers to some common questions about photoperiodic lighting. -
Do you know what your DLI is?
Published on December 24, 2006
Daily light integral has a profound effect on your plants. Learn how to measure DLI in your greenhouse three different ways. -
Daily light integral defined
Published on November 24, 2006
Breaking down daily light integral (DLI) and how to use it to a greenhouse growers advantage. -
Light it up!
Published on July 24, 2006
Erik Runkle talks about how to measure and maintain light for new and learning greenhouse owners. -
Managing light during propagation
Published on June 24, 2005
Michigan State University research examines how environmental factors - especially light - influence the rooting and growth of vegetative annual cuttings. -
10 lighting tips to help your bottom line
Published on April 24, 2005
Suggestions and advice to make the most of the light your plants receive. -
Temperature and light on bedding plants
Published on July 29, 2003
Michigan State University research shows what effects temperature and daily light integral have on bedding plant production. -
Grower 101: Controlling photoperiod
Published on October 24, 2002
Since many important “cash” crops are photoperiodic, a basic knowledge of manipulating daylength is essential.