Using imaging technologies to provide solutions to the challenges of greenhouse production
KuKa
This project approaches the profitability of greenhouse production, both in terms of energy consumption and productivity, by looking specifically at the lighting conditions. In 2021, greenhouse companies used 619 GWh (gigawatt-hours) of electricity. While the carbon footprint of greenhouse production has almost halved for greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers since 2004 due to the use of biofuels and renewable electricity generation, total energy consumption has increased by 8.8% for tomatoes and 115% for cucumbers due to the increased use of supplementary lighting. Electricity prices have now risen rapidly. Increased costs are pushing year-round greenhouse producers into a difficult financial situation.
Finnish tomato and cucumber growers need better information on how lighting conditions affect plant growth. Furthermore, it seems that not all LED wavelength profiles developed and tested in other countries produce the best results in Finland. LED lights with sub-optimal spectra can reduce yield. Properly implemented lighting not only saves energy but also promotes plant growth and yield.
The challenges of crop production can be addressed through horticultural research. This project will use plant imaging techniques to determine the best lighting protocols for optimal greenhouse production of tomatoes and cucumbers. The project will be carried out by scientists from the Natural Resources Institute Finland and the University of Helsinki in the fields of plant production and imaging technologies, and the measurement protocols developed in the research institutes will be implemented in commercial pilot greenhouses.
The changing food system and consumption habits mean that the consumption of vegetables and berries is increasing, so their production needs to be developed to become more sustainable, data-driven and automated. The main objective of the project is to develop new tools and practices for greenhouse production to minimise energy consumption, maintain the competitiveness a tightening product market and strengthen the profitability of the sector.
The project is carried out in collaboration with the National Plant Phenotyping Infrastructure (NaPPI) of the University of Helsinki. NaPPI enables a wide range of phototreatments in the growth chamber, as well as the monitoring of plant responses using imaging sensors. Kristiina Himanen, Research Coordinator, and Sylvain Poque, Project Planner, are responsible for the implementation of the project at the University of Helsinki.
National Plant Phenotyping
Materials produced by the project
Listen to the podcast in the series "Prat om trädgårdsodling och ekonomi": "Kan växtavbilningstekniker hjälpa att lösa energiutmaningar av tomat och gurkproduktion" (Swedish and English).
Text version of the podcast (in Swedish).
Watch a series of mini-videos (English, Swedish text) on imaging techniques to study plant photosynthesis. The techniques will be presented by senior scientist Alexey Shapiguzov (Natural Resources Institute Finland).
