Does LED lighting impair the quality of greenhouse tomatoes?

The addition of LED lighting inside the greenhouse at the intensities and wavelengths as used in the study did not negatively affect the quality of the tomatoes or the score given to them by consumers.

[Translation by Dr. Nachmani Moshe]
Researchers have collected physical and chemical data as part of studies examining the effect that additional lighting has in terms of quantity and quality on tomatoes growing in greenhouses. The addition of LED lighting inside the greenhouse at the intensities and wavelengths as used in the study did not negatively affect the quality of the tomatoes or the score given to them by consumers.

 

In order to satisfy the growing demand for locally grown fresh tomatoes beyond their normal season, greenhouse tomato growers often have to rely on additional lighting. These growers were interested in using LED lighting, which is preferred due to the energy savings inherent in it, as an alternative to the normal light bulbs used in greenhouses (high-pressure sodium lamps). Recent research provides new information regarding the possibility of using LED lighting for growing greenhouse tomatoes.
A team of researchers from the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University published their research in the scientific journal HortScience. The researchers point out that LED lighting is becoming a viable alternative to the usual bulbs in greenhouses. "There is great interest in the potential impact of LED lighting on the phytochemical properties and flavor profile of high-value crops," the researchers explain. "At the same time, to date, only limited research has been done regarding the quality of the fruit or vegetable after being grown under LED lighting for a long time." The researchers conducted three separate studies in order to test the effect that the quantitative and qualitative addition of LED lighting has on tomatoes growing in greenhouses: (1) plants grown under natural sunlight radiation only, (2) under natural sunlight together with the addition of lighting from normal lamps, and (3) ) under natural sunlight along with additional lighting from LED lamps.

 

No change in sugar concentration

The scientists analyzed the effect that the type of lighting had on the tomatoes by examining various properties of the tomatoes (for example, the color level, sugar concentration, acidity level and electrical conductivity). "Contrary to our hypotheses, fruit quality was not affected by the type of lighting," say the authors.
The study also included the opinions of tasters who rated the tomatoes in terms of their color, acidity and sweetness using an objective index. The tasters were also asked to rate the tomatoes in terms of color, aroma, texture, sweetness, acidity, the taste that remains after biting and their general impression of the fruit using a scale of 5 points. "With the help of collecting physical/chemical as well as sensory data (of the tasters), we were able to determine whether the parameters of the tomatoes are also reflected in the consumer's perception of the quality of the fruit," the researchers explain. The data indicated that the differences in properties were not perceived by the tasters; In fact, the tasters could not tell the difference between the tomatoes grown under different lighting conditions. "This study demonstrates that the fruit quality of greenhouse tomatoes was not affected by the type of supplementary lighting nor by the lighting itself," the researchers note. The researchers said that these results are good news for those tomato growers who wish to reduce energy consumption in their greenhouses, thus saving costs. "The addition of LED lighting inside the greenhouse at the intensities and wavelengths as used in the study did not negatively affect the quality of the tomatoes, and it is a possible alternative to the normal lighting currently used in greenhouse crops," the researchers conclude.

 

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