First of all, I would like to point out that our research topic is to evaluate the superior benefits of led technology and its innovation in all processes from production to storage and even marketing of these products in the field of agriculture, animal husbandry and food, by using led technology that illuminates us at every moment and in every part of our lives.
Light is necessary for plant growth. Natural sunlight is the cheapest source available, but light is not always available in sufficient quantities in greenhouse productions. Therefore, the use of artificial light has become widespread to increase production and quality.
Plants have a completely different sensitivity to light colors than humans. Each plant has its own sensitivities for colors and light intensity. Using different lights for plants is important to achieve the best results in plant production.
Light is the visible part of the spectrum in electromagnetic radiation. All light from any light source, such as the sun, contains many colors, starting with a range from ultraviolet to infrared, which affects plants of all kinds.
Why Does a Plant Need Light?
- photosynthesis, growth energy
- Plant growth, flowering, morphology
Both take place on plants at the same time and interact with each other.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports, the world population is expected to reach 9.45 billion in 2050, with an increase of 30%. According to this report:
- Agricultural land assets will decrease by 23% .
- Agricultural clean water reserve will decrease by 27%.
- Agricultural production due to global climate change will decrease by 12%.
Quality Valuable Global Changes
First of all, in developed and then developing countries, the issue of food safety has become the most important guiding target of consumption.
Conscious consumers;
It has forced him to question food safety and change the production model in proportion to his education, culture and income level.
This started with specific productions such as organic and then spread to a wide area with biological and environmentally friendly production models.
It spread to geographies such as Japan, Korea and some other APAC countries first, and then Northern Europe, North America, and Arab countries.
The most important critical factor in this regard is the certified sustainability of reliable production and its ability to respond to increasing demand. In these countries, food production can also be monitored by law. (GlobalGAP protocols and food passport applications)
Food safety is the most difficult issue in conventional agricultural production. Therefore, it is not in demand. In our country, the increasing food safety trend in recent years is increasing rapidly in metropolitan areas.
Agricultural production costs vary according to different geographies with the effect of many components.
In developed countries;
- The prices of agricultural land are very high.
- Labor costs are higher than industrial labor. (Seasonal worker)
- Energy costs are lower than in developing countries.
- Market prices are generally considered stable and higher, with higher purchasing power.
- Production planning and organizational structures are at the highest level according to needs.
- There are correct and effective agricultural policies.
- Agricultural production is evaluated strategically.
We encounter almost the opposite situations and practices compared to developed countries.
Related Products
Decreased land, water and production amounts in the face of rapid population growth in quantitatively valuable global changes are more common in underdeveloped and developing countries.
Logistics Factors
This factor covers the process from harvesting, storing, packaging, transporting, marketing and finally supplying fresh fruits and vegetables to the consumer.
From the field to the table, losses occur in these products at the rate of 12%-38%. In other words, in this process, 12%-38% of the products become garbage .
Brief definition of Agricultural Engineering according to us agronomists:
It is the technique of providing the highest food production per unit area.
For this purpose, the transition to agriculture from the first hunting and gathering period in the world started in MESOPOTAMIA , which has entered the geography of our country.
In the first open field vegetable growing (conventional agriculture), it reached 0.2–0.5 kg/m2 vegetable production per m2 unit area; then 8-12 kg per m2 in greenhouse production; Production values of 18-28 kg in intensive production, 45-60 kg in precision production and 75-90 kg per m2 in illuminated production have been reached. (values are approximate and taken from tomato production)
These are quantitative data only.
Quality data has an even more important place in today's consumers.
The hazard limit values, which we call LD 50 , show the level of tolerability for human health in the use of "pesticides". In particular, the pesticide density and necessity used in conventional and greenhouse production have made conscious consumers uneasy and have led them to seek healthy products.
Since it can be produced in greenhouses illuminated by LEDs , completely closed to the outside, in hygienic environments or in places and climates where no disease factor can reach the world, it has high food safety and has become sustainable. Today, especially in the Netherlands, especially in northern countries where sunlight is insufficient in summer, and then in places where sunlight is insufficient in winter, illuminated greenhouses have started to be used.
The technique, which was first examined by NASA, continues its research for space stations and living spaces.
The first illuminated greenhouses began with fluorescent and then HPS high pressure sodium lamps to mimic the sun only as overhead lighting. Quite good results were obtained and high yields were achieved. This was revolutionary and research showed that there were other forces hidden in the spectrum of light.
Scientists at Wageningen University in the Netherlands studied yield-related plant behavior for the first time.
In their own words, " GAME CHANGER LED ", they saw the extremes of plant nature with LED technology that completely changed the rules of the game. They tried different colors of LED light between dense plants where the light could not reach or decrease with the sun or overhead lighting.
Tomato yield of 75 to 90 kg/m2 is the Dutch average today. Record production with 105 kg/m2 belongs to the research greenhouse named Improving Center, which is a private initiative of the Netherlands. Of course, this record is not due to the lighting effect per se. The lighting took the record to a higher and unexpected level.
Sources
Hakan ÖZTÜRK