The considerable investment which has been put into research on the effect of light on plant growth is at last showing a substantial return for the greenhouse industry. The British grower, faced with increasing economic pressures over the past few years, has grasped the opportunity of using this accumulated knowledge and, with the help of various interested research bodies and lamp manufacturers, has created a new lighting technology for plant production. The various lighting techniques at present used in commercial horticulture are discussed together with their economic implications for the grower.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Van Der Veen, R., and Meijer, G., Light and plant growth, chapters 2-4 (Philips Technical Library, 1959).
2.
Garner, W.W. , and Allard, H.A., J. Agric. Res., 18, 553 (1920).
3.
Frampton's cultural information, section G: poinsettias, Frampton's Nurseries Ltd., Sussex.
4.
Lighting technology in horticulture, Philips Electrical (1972).
5.
Canham, A.E. , A long-day response in dahlia, Electricity Council Research Report R269 (1970).
6.
Canham, A.E., Light and the plant propagator, Proceedings of the International Propagators Society annual meeting (1972).
Lawrence, W.J.C. , and Calvert, A., J. Hort. Sci., 29 (3), 157 (1954).
9.
Canham, A.E., Artificial light in horticulture, p 63 (Centrex, Eindhoven, 1966 ).
10.
Burdett, A.N. , Electricity as an energy source for plant growth: efficiency using several different discharge lamps, Electricity Council Research Report R125 ( 1969).
11.
Morgan, S.F. , Supplementary light sources for glasshouse crops: 1 Lettuce, Electricity Council Research Report R392 (1971).
12.
Growelectric handbook 2: Lighting in greenhouses (Electricity Council 1974).
13.
Butters, R. , The Grower, 1024-1026 (11 November 1972 ).
14.
Cockshull, K.E., Supplementary lighting and glasshouse roses , Proceedings of Glasshouse Crops Research Institution Rose Subject Day, Littlehampton (November 1973).
15.
Growelectric handbook 1: Growing rooms (Electricity Council 1972).
