KPU research scientist receives grant to study strawberry production in greenhouses

A Kwantlen Polytechnic University researcher received a $540,000 grant to study the use of LED lighting to help grow greenhouse strawberries.

Li Ma, a research scientist at KPU’s Institute for Sustainable Horticulture (ISH), was awarded the grant through joint funding between an Applied Research and Development (ARD) grant and Mitacs. 

The ARD fund is part of the federal Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and supports projects undertaken by college researchers. Mitacs, a non-profit organization, collaborates with government and Canadian academia to support fields, from STEM and social sciences to humanities and arts. 

Ma says receiving the grant was an honour and validated the importance of the work her team has been doing.

“It reflects the strength of our research team and also highlights the need for innovative solutions in greenhouse production. Personally, it’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to advancements that support both growers and the broader agricultural community.”

The idea for the project came from a lack of research on lighting strategies for greenhouse production, she says.

With the effects of climate change, the conditions for growing strawberries traditionally in open fields have become increasingly unpredictable for farmers. One of the key components for successful indoor strawberry production is proper lighting, especially during the fall and winter seasons, Ma says.

“There is so much unknown about lighting strategies for greenhouse production, for example, the intensity, photoperiod, and light spectrum optimal for specific varieties,” she says.

Some of the challenges growers face while producing strawberries include energy costs, pest and disease management, and the monitoring of the consistent food quality, among others, over the course of the growing cycle. 

“We are aiming to improve using the dynamic LED lighting to give optimum light to the crop, so we can improve the photosynthesis and enhance fruit yield,” Ma says.  

She adds the model developed for greenhouse strawberry production can be adapted for growing other crops. Growers can also benefit from the project by gaining knowledge and finding solutions for their greenhouse crop production.

The project involves collaboration with industry lightning partners that produce LED lights, Ma says, adding it would be an opportunity to fill the gap between academia and industry. 

“We know plant physiology and plant pathology, disease and pest management. So we are aiming to successfully demonstrate how we can optimize the application of dynamic LED lighting in strawberry production in the greenhouse,” she says.

The project also allows growers to produce strawberries locally, which will make the fruit fresher and accessible all year round.   

“[The project] also contributes to economic development by strengthening the regional greenhouse industry and creating more opportunities for innovation,” Ma says, adding it also provides students with experience by involving them as research assistants, allowing them to engage with industry and prepare for their future careers.

“We are very excited about the potential of this research to drive meaningful changes in greenhouse horticulture …. We look forward to seeing how these innovations shape the future of controlled environment agriculture.”