"Better results by lighting by intervals"

Lighting is one of the most outstanding aspects of vertical farming systems, and one of their most recognizable things, the colour, is given by the LED lights. The Spanish horticultural expert company Etifa helps educating growers in how to make most out of their installation. 

Webinars
Earlier this year, Etifa organised a webinar about lighting in Vertical Farming systems. Up to 100 attendees assisted to the event. The speakers were José Manuel Sánchez from Novagric and Manuel Abril from Signify. José Manuel Sánchez talked about topics like the structure of the modules and irrigation and climate systems.

Manuel Abril treated topics related to lighting: Light in horticulture, light recipes, lighting systems and cases of success, as the modules from Novagric. The webinar was moderated by Alfonso González (Etifa), and at the end of the event there were a round of questions, which were asked by both speakers.

Higher yield
Also, Etifa and Novagric are exploring a way to get a higher yield by applying the 6-2 6-2 6-2 technique in these modules, which consists in lighting by intervals: "There are three periods of eight hours each one, divided into 6 hours of light and two hours of darkness. This technique allows the plant to work the same number of hours than the traditional continuous 18 hours of lighting and 6 hours of darkness, but with the 6-2 6-2 6-2 technique they are restful all over the day. The first tests shows better results in 6-2 6-2 6-2 lighting than 18-6," they explain.