Directing Development of Next-Generation Spectrally-Controlled Plant Growth

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Light is essential to plant growth and development. It is required for the assimilation of CO2 into usable substrates for plant growth and development as well as for triggering key plant responses such as shade avoidance, developmental changes and seed / fruit production. Currently, multispectral high intensity sodium (HPS) grow-lights represent the standard for plant growth under greenhouse conditions. Despite replicating an approximation of sunlight, these lights lack the required precision to fully replicate key daily events such as dawn and dusk differences in light spectral composition and intensity that exist in nature and vary based on seasonality and geographical location. Moreover, these light conditions often provide more light than needed to maximize growth and development, requiring plants to employ molecular mechanisms to dissipate excess radiation. Edmonton, Alberta based technology company G2V Optics has commercialized a proprietary, programmable-spectra lighting technology aimed at reducing energy inputs for greenhouse food production while also providing a platform for precision plant growth manipulation. Currently, G2V Optics has successfully demonstrated commercially valuable improvements to plants grown with spectral recipes, but lacks an understanding of the underlying micro-level changes occurring within plants that ultimately underpin the benefits of their technology. The company is therefore limited in their ability to rationally apply their lighting technology in a wide array of cultivars and agricultural settings. Our MITACS-ENGAGE-CASBE partnership aims to address this knowledge gap by characterizing the technological and biological capabilities of G2V Optics programmable-spectra lighting technology.**