Controlled-Environment Lighting Laboratory

How can white LEDs be used to grow floriculture transplants indoors before they are finished in greenhouse environments? Our researchers offer answers in terms of plant responses and energy efficiency.

Growing Ornamental Seedlings Under White LEDs Michigan State University researchers discuss the impacts of using white light on plant growth and human vision, as well as energy considerations when growing ornamental seedlings indoors.

Our new article in Produce Grower about how the affects , and of hydroponic lettuce and kale. The role of light is especially interesting as it relates to blue and red light. While green light seems to promote crop growth in this article, blue light may be a confounding factor. The next article in the March issue will show different responses to green light in a different spectral setting. It will also discuss attributes such as preference and value. Stay tuned for these fascinating spectral interactions in control of indoor crop growth and quality!

Green & far red LED lighting Indoor production of leafy greens, Part I: Substituting green or far-red light for blue light can increase lettuce and kale yields.

Lettuce research from our lab is mentioned in this new Washington Post article on LED lighting for modern farming. 🌱

High-tech farmers are using LED lights in ways that seem to border on science fiction The latest lights can be used to alter how plants grow, how they taste and how nutritious they are. And in some cases, scientists say, they’re better at the job than the sun.

Here's my poster presentation at the American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. It offered an overview of all that went into building an research lab. I was fortunate to center my PhD around this project and grateful to work with a diverse group of engineers, scientists, technicians, and students. A special shout-out to the amazing team at OSRAM Innovation.—William

PhD candidate William Meng and postdoctoral research associate Yujin Park presented their sole-source lighting research on leafy greens and ornamental crops at the 2018 American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference. :-)

Congrats to Brian Poel and Dr. Erik Runkle for winning the 2018 Kenneth Post Award for Graduate Research in Floriculture (best paper) at the American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.!

We were thrilled to give tours to a total of 123 people (90 adults and 33 children) on April 14 in the MSU Science Festival! Thanks for visiting our lab despite the wintry weather! It was truly great to see everyone's high interest level.

Glad to have students from Saline FFA stop by our research facility!

See the story of our lab on MSUToday. 🌱

Growing food without sunlight or soil A new MSU lab uses LED lights and vertical farming to optimize food for the future.