The ongoing multi-country and multi-crop initiative advances Fluences and the greater horticultural industrys understanding of the interaction between light and life

AUSTIN, Texas Fluence by OSRAM (Fluence), a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and agriculture production, has expanded its global photobiology research program, which encompasses studies on multiple vine crops, leafy greens and medical cannabis in the United States, Canada, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Tapping into a global network of trusted research institutions

Fluence leverages a network of leading research institutions and partners for its program, including Wageningen University & Research (WUR) for tomatoes; Proefstation voor de Groenteteelt (Proefstation) to study cucumbers; Harrow Research and Development Centre for peppers; The Technical University of Munichs Greenhouse Lab Centre for lettuce; Wageningen Plant Researchs Greenhouse Horticulture business unit and Compassionate Cultivation for medical cannabis.

The latest studies utilized Fluences VYPR Series top light and expanded PhysioSpec spectra offeringwhich features four spectra and market-leading efficacies up to 3.8 mol/Jin a randomized block design with triple replicates during a winter growing season. A leader in global horticultural research, WUR explored the impact of each spectrum on Merlice and Brioso tomato cultivars.

Traditionally, tomato plants are grown under high-pressure sodium lights, where only one spectrum is available to growers, said Ep Heuvelink, associate professor of horticulture and product physiology at WUR. Given the efficacy of Fluences LED solutions and the companys spectra options, its critical to understand how various tomato cultivars perform under LEDs and diversified spectra.

Featuring a 1.3-hectare greenhouse with 38 independent compartments, Proefstations facility brings more than 50 years of experience in research on the cultivation of greenhouse and field vegetables.

Light spectra have an important impact on plant and fruit quality, and weve found that LEDs provide a more optimal, precise spectrum than HPS, said Jonas De Win, lead cucumber researcher at Proefstation. This research is critical for our growers who frequently ask which spectra is best for their greenhouse and crop variety. Our goal is to act as the bridge between cucumber growers and the latest scientific research, enabling cultivators to enhance their environments and ultimately become more profitable.

Crop-based research results inform unique lighting strategies

LED lighting is a proven, viable option for global crop growers, said David Cohen, CEO of Fluence. Our exploration of the impact of light quality on plant development is driving a deeper conversation about efficacy, yield and quality between growers and their partners. Our commitment to leading cross-geography, multi-crop research will help guide growers in building a supplemental lighting strategy tailored to their unique business goals.

Fluence will distribute research results throughout the year, uncovering how the optimal lighting strategy varies by crop, species and environment. Results from Fluences cucumber trial with Proefstation will be previewed on July 15, 2020 on a webinar hosted by Leo Lansbergen, Fluences horticulture service specialist and expert in cucumber cultivation.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to determining your lighting strategy, said David Hawley, Ph.D., Fluences senior scientist. Exploring how to manipulate LED technology presents a world of opportunity for us as scientists, but ultimately benefits growers looking to customize their cultivation environments. Insights derived from each study will help growers understand how various spectra impact harvests and plant quality, including factors ranging from nutrition and flavor to shelf life.

For more information about Fluence and its ongoing research initiatives, visit http://www.fluence.science.

About Fluence by OSRAM

Fluence Bioengineering, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of OSRAM, creates powerful and energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial crop production and research applications. Fluence is a leading LED lighting supplier in the global cannabis market and is committed to enabling more efficient crop production with the worlds top vertical farms and greenhouse produce growers. Fluence global headquarters are based in Austin, Texas, with its EMEA headquarters in Rotterdam, Netherlands. For more information about Fluence, visit http://www.fluence.science.

Link to high resolution pictures: http://www.fluence.science/press-links

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Contacts

Media Contact: For North America, Emma Chase emma@redfancommunications.com Phone: 512-917-4319

For EMEA, Silvia Nagyova s.nagyova@osram.com Phone: +49 (89) 6213-3939

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Fluence Leads Global Research Initiative to Study Impact of Light Quality on Plant Development, Yield and Crop Quality - Financial Post