As many growers have found out over the course of human history, even the sun needs some help from time to time. Forward-thinking we are learning every day that the best lighting sources for indoor operations primary or supplemental are LEDs.
With LEDs and new networking hardware and software, we can craft proprietary light formulas or recipes to bring out the characteristics of the plants to know will make them most marketable. For instance, at AGRICO, we conducted a small study with basil. Our research team grew basil under five different light treatments. In a blind taste test, we found a very noticeable difference in outcome depending on which percentage of blue light was used, and that a specific percent blue light produced spicier, more aromatic and tasty basil.
Controlled growing environments already mean less water waste, less chemical runoff and a more efficient use of space. Add LEDs into this mix and indoor growing becomes that much more environmentally friendly. The efficiency of LED systems makes for a much-reduced carbon footprint as well.
Horticultural LEDs, networked control systems and new developments in spectral science have led to a world of more efficient, less expensive, more productive growing operations.
AGRICO has recently introduced production of natural honey in our farm. Honey is produced in the in-house facility where production, collection and preservation is done and honey is packed and distributed to the market.
