agriculture lighting Applications

Controlled Environment Horticulture is a vast topic, and has been utilised in varying forms for centuries. Excavations of the city of Pompeii showed remains of early greenhouses dating back to AD79; and the modern greenhouses are thought to originate in the thirteenth century in Italy. Most people recognise the use of greenhouses for growing flowers and vegetables, whether in their own garden, at garden centres or on a commercial basis. Indeed most people will be conversant with irrigation systems that are used to supply water to such greenhouses and the use of heaters to control the temperature and thereby extend the growing season. However, modern systems have been developed for Controlled Environment Horticulture that are designed to further optimise the growing conditions; with sophisticated computer controlled sensors, combined with advanced software models, that can control not only the temperature, light level and water, but also the level of nutrients, humidity, pH and CO2

By Edinburgh Instruments Ltd based in Livingston, UNITED KINGDOM.

Why regulation of your greenhouse climate is important. As a horticultural entrepreneur, you understand better than anyone that the greenhouse climate has an immense influence on the condition of your crops. Air temperature, humidity, CO2 content and the proper balance of growing lights are essential conditions for a healthy and vigorous crop. By regulating your greenhouse climate in a proper manner, you reduce the chance of disease and plagues and you ensure the quality of your production. Moreover, you save precious energy.

By Hoogendoorn based in Vlaardingen, NETHERLANDS.

Why regulating your energy consumption is important A growth climate with the proper ratio of light, warmth and CO2 dosage ensures high production and quality. The most important sustainable source of growing light and warmth for your crop process, the sun, is not always sufficiently available. That’s why supplemental energy must be used. However, fossil energy sources, such as natural gas and petroleum are becoming ever scarcer and more expensive and they burden the environment. Efficient management of energy processes and CO2 dosage, therefore, are necessary for sustainable production and for your company profit.

By Hoogendoorn based in Vlaardingen, NETHERLANDS.

Cucumbers come from the tropical areas of South-Asia and they grow in greenhouses in different climates. They are smooth and the colour, depending on the variety, can change from light green to dark green, reaching a yellowish colour when it is completely mature. They produce good outputs in warm and cold climates. Under extreme conditions ventilation and heating systems are necessary. The bigger producers are China, Turkey, Iran, United States, Japan and Russia.

By Sistema Azud, S.A. based in Alcantarilla, SPAIN.

A clean and pathogen free water source is essential to prevent infections from being introduced and spreading in a hatchery. Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection of water for inactivation of pathogens is recognized as a safe and effective method for use in the aquaculture industry. Continuous monitoring of water quality by measure of UV transmission (UVT) ensures the UV light is able to penetrate the water effectively and achieve the optimal dose.

By Real Tech Inc. based in Whitby, ONTARIO (CANADA).

Urban Trees are continuously exposed to several stress situations like air pollution, soil compaction, exhaust gases, damage of tree trunks, etc. For the responsible authorities it is important to anticipate these problems, as the consequences of possible accidents can be considerable (e.g. tree fall).EUROSENSE can provide a number of products that are important means for designing a correct policy for urban trees on short and long term.

Acquisition of images -The acquisition of aerial or satellite images is the basis of tree inventory, mapping and most of our products. The assessment of the physiological tree status is done with colour infrared (IR) images. In the IR spectrum of the light, vegetation reflects much more and can hence be better analysed than in the case of normal light spectrum.

Tree inventory - An inventory of the tree patrimony is the basis of a good tree management. Tree species identification, tree height, trunk circumference measurements and spatial localization of trees are primary needs for every Green City Service.
Tree crown diameter - Based on semi-automatic aerial or satellite image analysis, the crown diameter of every tree can be calculated. The location, the extent of trees and their proximity to buildings can be visualised in a GIS (Geographic Information System) environment.
Tree labelling - In the field, every tree can be labelled to assure the correct identification.

Tree status assessment - Mechanical Status: EUROSENSE assesses tree stability with the Visual Tree Assessment method. This consists in identifying internal mechanical defects using external signs (e.g. appearance of the trunk, fungal fruiting bodies,…). 
Physiological status: unhealthy trees, although appearing healthy on the field, can already exhibit obvious illness symptoms (lower red colour levels) on the colour infrared images. Mostly, this bad physiological status will only be visible on the field several years later.

Data management - The integration of each tree into a GIS (Geographic Information System) database is essential. Within this GIS, the user can request, observe and add data during different stages of the tree management. By publishing the obtained data online, citizens can also visualize the results.

Analysis tools - Trees can be evaluated through time by making evolution maps: improvement or deterioration of the health status of trees can be visualized. Statistical analysis, like tree species, health status distribution, etc. can be very useful in reports. Tree policy and management plan - A clear tree policy can result in a detailed management plan indicating concrete measures for every tree. 

By EUROSENSE based in Wemmel, BELGIUM.

Greater crop quality and yield

Forms a physical barrier between the plant and the environment, protecting it from plagues, insects, infections and dust.

Allows the seepage of the water, air and light needed for the growth of the plant.

Generates a micro-climate that promotes better yields and quality of the crops.

Minimizes or even eliminates the use of agro-chemicals in the crops. Ideal for organic or bio-rational producers.

Adds value to the crops in export markets.

Main crops: Melon, Pumpkin, Watermelon, Pepper, Tomato, Cucumber, Hot Peppers, Flowers, among others.

By Polymer Group Inc. (PGI) / Agribon® based in San Luis Potosí, MEXICO.

Prevents underbrush growth

Adequately blocks the light that promotes the growth of underbrush.

Unlike the polyethylene paddings, it is permeable to water, air and nutrients maintaining the quality of the soil.

Prevents water accumulation on the padding surface.

Lasts up to 3 cycles when installed on the field, reducing labor.

By Polymer Group Inc. (PGI) / Agribon® based in San Luis Potosí, MEXICO.