ELEMENT LED Grow Light, NIAB

NIAB is the UK’s fastest-growing crop science organisation. Founded in 1919, it has built a longstanding international reputation for expertise in plant varieties and seeds. NIAB’s scientific capability spans the full crop-improvement pipeline, from underpinning research to develop higher-yielding, more climate-resilient crops, through to the trials data, agronomy expertise and field advice that get those advances onto the farm. Wheat is a vital commercial crop and an essential calorie source in the UK and globally. As the world’s population approaches ten billion, with the steepest consumption rises forecast in developing countries, we need to produce 60% more wheat by 2050. NIAB is using speed-breeding techniques under LED grow lights to identify the varieties most resistant to disease and pests, so that yields can rise without leaning harder on pesticides. NIAB grows a wide range of crops under glass, which means a single facility cannot support multiple lighting spectra. Two years ago, the team trialled a like-for-like spectrum replacement for their existing 400W HPS. Then, at an LED lighting workshop hosted by NIAB colleagues in 2019, they met INDO, and decided to evaluate the INDO ELEMENT for themselves. NIAB’s due diligence was rigorous, as it should be for a research facility where consistency of light directly affects the validity of every breeding programme. The team spoke with peers already using the system, examined the photometry and spectrum, and worked closely with us to understand the engineering benefits of Direct Drive®, in particular, no electrical wear-out components and a 10-year warranty. Once they had the data, the choice was straightforward.

When I first saw the ELEMENT I was impressed with the size and the lack of moving parts and huge running gear. As a result of using the INDO ELEMENT, we’ve seen consistent plant performance and a 4-week improvement in plant life cycling, from 14 weeks down to around 10/11 weeks. This compares favourably with our previous LED grow light system, which is generally regarded as the industry standard for research breeding applications.

The INDO ELEMENT has helped NIAB hit its research objectives while delivering meaningful cost and energy savings. Combined with straightforward mounting, an IP66 rating and a simple operating system, the product has proved itself across every measure that matters to a working research glasshouse. We continue to support the NIAB team to ensure their next research goals are met with the right lighting configuration.