The Looye Honeytomatoes in Looye Kwekers’ new 8.2-hectare greenhouse in Burgerveen have thrived in the first lighting season. According to Operations Director Annelies Looije, both production volumes and the flavor and fruit quality are at the level of a summer crop. The dimmable, color-adjustable Philips GreenPower toplighting force system with GrowWise control also proves its value in other areas, partly thanks to its high light intensity of up to 375 µmol/m2/sec PAR.
The young plants of the Piccolo variety arrived in the brand new 8.2-hectare greenhouse in Burgerveen in mid-October 2024. Four weeks later, the Philips GreenPower toplighting force system supplied by Signify was switched on for the first time. This is the second greenhouse in which Looye is growing under full LED; their first (also with full LED from Philips) is located in Naaldwijk and has already provided valuable experience over several seasons.
Semi-closed greenhouse
"Growing tomatoes under full LED works very well – as long as you keep an eye on the key elements of climate control and respond accordingly," Looije says. “Our new semi-closed greenhouse helps us in this respect; it features a climate corridor with an air handling system that can both circulate internal air and bring in and preheat dry outside air. Thanks to the high ventilation capacity in this greenhouse, we can dehumidify effectively and keep the screens and air vents closed for longer.”
More light, more sugars
At 375 µmol/m2/sec, the light level is exceptionally high for tomato cultivation. That was a deliberate choice, as Looye sets a particularly high bar for its Honeytomatoes. "To grow tasty tomatoes, the plants have to produce a significant amount of sugars. More light means more sugars, which boost not only the flavor but also growth and yields,” the Operations Director explains. “We’ve been running a lot of trials in Naaldwijk in recent years, and they have shown that you can achieve higher growth rates and yields with higher light levels without compromising on flavor or fruit quality. Partly Thanks to these experiences, we came to this choice in consultation with Signify and our installer Hortipar.”
Integrated control
The lighting system features 3-channel Philips LED fixtures, which means that the three light colors used – red, blue and white – can be switched on or off and dimmed independently. The most energy-efficient red LEDs are always on when the lighting is in use, with blue and white are used only when necessary. “Combined with the dimmer function, this enables us to light the crop very efficiently,” Looije adds. Current energy prices are also taken on board in the lighting strategy. The Philips GrowWise control system that controls the fixtures is integrated with the Priva climate computer. The energy control box is also connected to this, giving the cultivation specialist a complete overview and maximum control at all times.
Reliable systems
With summer approaching, Annelies Looije concludes that the lighting system has lived up to expectations on all fronts. “The output and energy consumption meet the provided specifications,” she says. “That reliability is essential and is one of the reasons why we have chosen Signify and Philips lights again.”
(Photo credit: Philips)
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