About Project LAMP

CROP GROWTH AND YIELD can be increased by optimizing 1) light spectrum, 2) light intensity and 3) light capture.

• The greatest inefficiency in lighting typically occurs when plants are small and much of the light does not fall on the leaves. We will manipulate light intensity and spectrum to promote the rapid development and expansion of leaves, which increases light capture by crop canopies. 
• Light intensity and spectrum interact to determine light absorption and photosynthesis by leaves. Plants use light less efficiently as the intensity increases, but different colors of light interact with intensity to alter this efficiency. We will use physiological measurements to quantify the light use efficiency of selected floriculture and vegetable crops, and develop guidelines to optimize the light spectrum and intensity for growth and yield of a variety of crops. 
• The effect of improved lighting strategies on crop growth and quality will be assessed. 

CROP QUALITY AND VALUE can be increased by altering light spectrum, intensity, photoperiod, and timing of light delivery. 

• Plant morphology (height, branching) depends on both the light intensity and spectrum. Management of lighting is thus a powerful tool to control plant shape during development. We will test morphological response to different lighting methods. 
• Production of desirable secondary compounds, which affect color, flavor, and aroma, depends on both the light intensity and spectrum. Lighting strategies will be developed to maximize yield during the active growth phase, while finishing the plants with a spectrum and/or intensity that increases beneficial secondary compounds (anti-oxidants, pigments) can increase crop quality and value. 

Quantitative information on the costs and benefits of lighting will allow growers to make better decisions. We will develop Decision Support Systems to help growers make decisions applicable to their specific conditions. This will be a stepwise process that will answer the following questions: 

• Is supplemental lighting cost-effective? 
• If so, are HPS or LED lamps more cost-effective? 
• What is the expected return on investment? 

Carbon footprint, life cycle assessment and economic cost analysis can be used to quantify the environmental and social impact of greenhouse and plant factory production. Quantitative data on the environmental impact of lighting technologies and production practices in greenhouses and plant factories will be used to develop actionable information to determine the pros and cons of different crop production systems. 

Optimizing lighting strategies using models that consider plant physiological responses, crop value, real-time electricity pricing, and sunlight. We will integrate horticulture, engineering, and energy informatics to create models that account for the growth and value of the crop and adjust dynamically to fluctuations in electricity prices, current weather, and weather forecasts to assure that crop needs are met with the lowest possible cost. 

Controllers to implement lighting strategies will facilitate adoption of more cost-effective lighting strategies. We will develop low-cost controllers (hardware) and open-source software to facilitate precise grower control of their lighting systems. These controllers can be stand-alone or integrated into existing control systems. The goal is to accelerate the profitable adoption of new lighting technologies and approaches. 

Canopy sensors to track growth and light use efficiency can be used to track crop growth and physiology. Canopy imaging will be performed using cameras with an overhead view of the crop production area. We anticipate that our imaging approaches can track crop growth and determine how efficiently crops use the provided light.