Supplemental photosynthetic lighting for greenhouse tomato production

Technical Report · Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:7250959

Godfriaux, B L; Wittman, W K ^[1]; Janes, H W; McAvoy, R J; Putman, J; Logendra, S ^[2]; Mears, D R; Giacommelli, G; Giniger, M ^[3]

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1. Public Service Electric and Gas Co., Newark, NJ (USA)
2. Rutgers--the State Univ., New Brunswick, NJ (USA). Dept. of Horticulture and Forestry
3. Rutgers--the State Univ., New Brunswick, NJ (USA). Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering

The influence of supplemental light on the growth and productivity of greenhouse tomatoes grown to a single cluster on movable benches is examined, and the economic feasibility of such a system is evaluated. Experiments were conducted to quantify the tomato plants' response to various levels of supplemental light in terms of growth rate and yield at various stages in their development (e.g., seedling, flowering plant, etc.). The 1984--85 experiments showed that supplemental photosynthetic lighting nearly doubled tomato yields, from 0.48 to 0.86 lbs/plant. Subsequent experiments in 1985--86 identified the best tomato varieties for this treatment and further increased yields to 1.3 lbs/plant. In addition, the use of supplemental lighting was found to hasten tomato crop maturity. An economic analysis was performed on the 1985--86 empirical data using the tax rates and provisions then in force. It indicated that a 10-acre greenhouse could provide an after-tax internal rate of return of 10% to 12% using only equity financing. This return could likely be increased to 15--18% with the use of combined debt/equity financing. Using supplemental lighting on 10,000 acres of greenhouse production would require an estimated 7.5 billion kWh of additional electricity per year and, at 4.7 cents/kWh, generate an estimated $350 million in additional utility revenues. 48 refs., 34 figs., 24 tabs.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); Public Service Electric and Gas Co., Newark, NJ (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: EPRI
• OSTI ID: 7250959
• Report Number(s): EPRI-CU-6562
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
GREENHOUSES
LIGHTING SYSTEMS
AGRICULTURE
ECONOMICS
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
LOAD MANAGEMENT
PROGRESS REPORT
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TOMATOES
BUILDINGS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FOOD
FRUITS
INDUSTRY
MANAGEMENT
320303* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes