Lighting in Horticulture

Lighting in Horticulture

Over recent years there has been a considerable increase in knowledge about the beneficial effects of artificial light upon plant growth and yield. Also, in combination with new growing techniques, significant developments in horticultural lamps, reflectors and light balancers have resulted in the use of artificial lights becoming a practical and economic proposition. This handbook provides a general appreciation of the photobiological processes that take place in plants, and the types and techniques of artificial lighting available to stimulate or control those growth processes.

CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Light – Photosynthesis; Photomorphogenesis; Photoperiodism
- The Biology of Flowering
- Photoperiodic Control
- Lighting for Photoperiodism
- Artificial Illumination
- Lamp Types
– Incandescent Lamps
– Fluorescent Lamps
– High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps
– Mercury Vapor; Metal Halide (MH)
– High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Lamps
– Conversion (Retrofit) Lamps
– Hybrid or ‘Blended’ Lamps
- Ballast/Control Box
- Reflectors
- Reflective Surfaces
- Light Balancers/Movers
- Planning your Growroom
- Economic Aspects
- Commonly Asked Questions
- Appendix A – Lighting terms
- Appendix C – Recommended light cycles