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Welcome to the Low-Energy Tomato Growing research program! This novel three-year trial program, initiated in collaboration with Philips and the trusted marcom partners Ridder, BASF, Wireless Value, Normec Groen Agro Control, and Maurice Kassenbouw aims to transform year-round tomato production under full LED lights. Our objective is to optimise greenhouse conditions such that heat input is reduced by 40% while maintaining high yields and quality.

"Last year's trial has demonstrated that controlling and optimising all aspects of the cultivation enables a lower heat input. Using active dehumidification stimulated sufficient plant transpiration to support a strong crop and realise a high production. Extra generative growth at the start of the crop was encouraged by actively manipulating nitrate and chloride levels in the feed recipe. During the cultivation, the greenhouse climate was so stable that in the 30 weeks of the cultivation the average drain volume was a mere 8%", states Andrew Lee, knowledge manager at Grodan.

Learn more about the current trial and the last year's findings below!

Press Release
25 Sep 2025

Grodan and Signify start third year of low-energy trial to test holistic approach on larger tomatoes on the vine

In its second year, a trial from Grodan and Signify demonstrated it's possible to produce high-quality cherry tomatoes with significantly less heat input than previously thought, without compromising on quality and taste. Building on these results and a commitment to low energy growing, the partners are extending this year the trial at Botany to larger tomatoes on the vine.

The future of low-energy growing

Year 2 of joint research trial confirms potential for producing high-quality tomatoes with significantly lower heat input

In the second year of their joint low-energy tomato trial, Grodan and Signify together with other industry-leading partners (Ridder, BASF, Wireless Value, Normec Groen Agro Control, and Maurice Kassenbouw) have once again demonstrated that a holistic approach to all aspects of cultivation – lighting, irrigation, nutrition and climate management – makes it possible to save more than 50% of the energy required for heating. This is thanks to the use of active dehumidification in combination with an optimised screening strategy. Moreover, spectral dimming of the LED lights generated an extra energy saving of approximately 2%, equating to €5,700 per hectare (assuming electrical costs €0.13 kWh). By focusing on the root zone conditions, steering the nutrition and further improving the light use efficiency (LUE), the team reduced the electrical conductivity (EC) level while still maintaining the plant balance. This approach resulted in improved crop stability, a 3% increase in production (yield/m²) and a higher Brix compared to Year 1. 

Key takeaways about low-energy growing

The results confirm that low-energy tomato cultivation is possible based on a holistic approach. 

  • A yield/m2 of 18.24 kg/m2, a Brix of 9.32 and average fruit size of 12.20 g.
  • Lower gas consumption through reduction in the use of the rail pipe system.
  • An extra 2% reduction in electrical energy costs thanks to using the LED lighting dynamically (turning off less electrically-efficient colours when possible).
  • Precise control over the leaf area index (LAI) using low-nitrate feeds.
  • Optimal nutrient uptake and Brix levels with adjusted K, Mg and Ca ratios in the feed recipe.
  • Extremely stable greenhouse climate conditions thanks to the dehumidification system, which supported very stable crop growth and development.

Download the whitepaper and learn more!

Download whitepaper
Sustainable Growing

Grodan and Philips Horticulture LED Solutions demonstrate additional heat input reduction while growing very flavorful quality tomatoes

Grodan and Philips Horticulture LED Solutions are further exploring opportunities for growers to reduce energy costs through an efficient approach to LED lighting and effective root zone management, combined with climate control and active dehumidification. Having full control of all aspects of the cultivation strategy offers unique opportunities for producing a high-quality, year-round tomato crop with reduced energy input and lower costs.

Low energy tomato growing

Breaking the myths with research data

Below, you can watch our video series, "Breaking the Myth." We share the latest developments in low-energy tomato growing, challenging common misconceptions and showcasing the innovative techniques that have led to our successful results.

Follow us as we explore key aspects such as low energy usage, dynamic lighting, precise irrigation, effective control methods, tailored nutrient recipes, comprehensive data analysis, efficient de-humidification, and high-quality tomatoes.

Watch and discover more!

Learn more about the first trial

 

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Press Release
01 Oct 2024

Another growing season for Grodan and Signify to pioneer additional energy efficiency improvements and enhance plant performance in tomato

Horst, Limburg, the Netherlands Grodan, the global leader in supplying innovative, sustainable stone wool growing media solutions for the professional horticulture industry, has teamed up again with Signify, the world leader in lighting, to conduct a second research trial at Botany in the Netherlands to optimise year-round tomato cultivation.

Low-heat full-LED tomato trial achieves 50% reduction in heat

To help growers find a solution for cultivating a full-LED winter lit crop with a low heat input without impacting on yield or quality, Philips Horticulture LED Solutions and Grodan ran a joint trial at Botany Research Center, the Netherlands. The trial, which used active air dehumidification, has demonstrated that controlling and optimising all the aspects in a greenhouse enables a lower heat input to be realised while enabling sufficient transpiration to support strong and healthy crop production. In fact, the final results were even better than expected: the heat input was reduced by more than 50%.

Key results thanks to a holistic approach to growing with full LEDs and active air dehumidification: 

  • Over 50% less heat input compared to commercial practice
  • Increased production efficiency in g/kWh and EUR/kg
  • A very stable climate, facilitating predictive water uptake and additional possibilities to steer the veg/gen balance in the crop
  • Monitoring the uptake of individual nutrient elements opens up new steering possibilities in optimising nutrient recipes

Download the whitepaper and learn more!

Download whitepaper
By Emmanouela Alexopoulou
Sustainable Growing

Enabling growers to reduce up to 40% heat input and maintain year-round production & quality

Grodan and Signify collaborate on a 3-year trial to optimize year-round tomato cultivation for 40% lower heat input amid rising energy costs and sustainability efforts. Partnering with BASF, Ridder, Normec, and Wireless value, they organize knowledge transfer activities.

Vlog series on low energy tomato growing under full-LED lights

Watch the other episodes

Learn more

Press Release
19 Oct 2023

Grodan and Signify collaborate to conduct low-energy tomato cultivation research with an expected savings on heat-input up to 40%

The trial started September 2023 at Botany and will explore principles of low energy growing under fully dimmable Philips LED lights. Focus will be on plant transpiration and nutrient uptake in a 260 m2 department fitted with active air de-humidification. This year's strategy is built on the knowledge gained from last year's successful tomato trial by Signify. By modelling the expected crop development and performance, both Grodan and Signify expect to reduce up to 40% on heat input by dimming the lights based on crop needs, energy prices, and outside light conditions.

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