Use of diffusive optical fibers for plant lighting
- Chiba Univ., Matsudo (Japan)
- Topy Green Ltd., Tokyo (Japan)
Lighting is one of the most critical aspects in plant production and environmental research with plants. Much research has been repeated on the effect of light intensity, spectral distribution of light and lighting cycle, but comparatively little research done on the effect of lighting direction on the growth, development and morphology of plants. When plants are grown with lamps above, light is directed downward to the plants. Downward or overhead lighting is utilized in almost all cases. However, downward lighting does not always give the best result in terms of lighting efficiency, growth, development and morphology of plants. Kitaya et al. (1988) developed a lighting system in which two rooting beds were arranged; one above and the other under fluorescent lamps. Lettuce plants grew normally in the lower bed and suspended upside-down under the upper bed. The lettuce plants suspended upside-down were given the light in upward direction (upward lighting). No significant difference in growth, development and morphology was found between the lettuce plants grown by the downward and upward lighting. Combining upward and downward lighting, improved spacing efficiency and reduced electricity cost per plant compared with conventional, downward lighting. From the above example, when designing a lighting system for plants with lamps more lighting direction should be considered. In the present study, a sideward lighting system was developed using diffusive optical fiber belts. More higher quality tissue-cultured transplants could be produced in reduced space with sideward lighting system than with a downward lighting system. An application of the sideward lighting system using diffusive optical fiber belts is described and advantages and disadvantages are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 62391
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9403214-; ON: DE95008170; TRN: 95:004109-0036
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International lighting in controlled environments workshop, Madison, WI (United States), 27-30 Mar 1994; Other Information: PBD: [1994]; Related Information: Is Part Of International lighting in controlled environments workshop: Proceedings; PB: 393 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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