A research scientist at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has been awarded a $540,000 grant to study how the innovative use of LED lighting could boost greenhouse strawberry production.
鈥淒ue to climate change and extreme weather, growers are increasingly looking at indoor production,鈥� said Dr. Li Ma, researcher at KPU鈥檚 Institute for Sustainable Horticulture (ISH). 鈥淟ED technology has made significant strides in recent years, allowing us to tailor the lighting spectrum and intensity to meet the specific needs of crops throughout their growth cycle. This leads to healthier, fresher and better-quality fruit.鈥�
The project, funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Mitacs, will enable the ISH to address the many challenges faced by greenhouse strawberry growers, particularly the need for precise light management. As Ma explained, each strawberry variety has a different response to light, and controlling the spectrum of light can influence the plant鈥檚 health, growth, and resistance to pests.
鈥淏y using LED lighting systems that adapt to the plant's needs, we can optimize growth and production while minimizing energy consumption,鈥� said Ma, adding that this new technology is expected to reduce maintenance costs by 75 per cent and energy costs by 40 per cent. 鈥淭he goal is to make strawberry farming more sustainable and less reliant on imported products 鈥� reducing carbon emissions and enhancing our local food security.鈥�
The three-year project involves collaboration with industry partners such as Sollum Technologies, a Montreal-based company that is contributing financial and in-kind support with its cutting-edge dynamic LED lighting systems. Another industry partner, Star Produce, is providing expert insights on indoor strawberry production, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and greenhouse applications.
鈥淭his project is a collaborative effort between academia and industry,鈥� Ma said. 鈥淲e are working together to ensure that the future of strawberry production in Canada is sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly.鈥�
A key component of this initiative is its focus on personnel training and student involvement. Jean-Mornay du Plessis, a student in the Horticulture Technology diploma program, performs weekly scouting for pests and checks drip and drain measurements, ensuring the plants are properly-hydrated.
鈥淭here are incredible facilities and equipment at the ISH,鈥� du Plessis said. 鈥淚鈥檓 here to get more experimental, hands-on research experience because I plan to pursue a master鈥檚 degree.鈥�
Olivia Puszka, a fourth-year KPU student in the Bachelor of Horticulture Science, with a major in plant health, has spent two years working with soil microorganisms and plants in different environments.
鈥淪ince we have many varieties of strawberries, we can observe which ones are more vulnerable to disease and pests,鈥� Puszka said. 鈥淚鈥檓 actually seeing subjects that I learned in my KPU classes applied to the variables of the plant itself. For me, that has been the coolest part of this experience so far.鈥�
Ma said that the lighting recipes developed in this project can also be applied to the Homegrown Innovation Challenge 鈥� a six-year, $33-million competition aimed at extending the growing season of berries in Canada, potentially setting the stage for a new era of indoor farming that will provide fresh, locally grown berries year-round.
The Institute for Sustainable Horticulture, one of three research institutes at KPU, improves ecosystem resilience by providing tools and strategies for agriculture and landscapes through applied research, innovation, knowledge sharing and partnerships. Based at five campuses across Richmond, Surrey and 91原创, KPU offers a comprehensive range of programs in business, arts, design, health, science and horticulture, trades and technology, and academic and career advancement to around 20,000 students annually.
