In modern greenhouse horticulture, technology plays a key role in improving production and efficiency. A key innovation in the way we view plant growth in greenhouses is the use of load cells. But how does that work? We'll take you through the process and show you how this technology can help you optimize the growth of your crops.

What are load cells?

Load cells, such as our LC10 and LC100 , are advanced measuring instruments that convert force or load into an electrical signal. This allows for extremely accurate recording of changes. But how are they applied in greenhouse horticulture? The answer lies in the precision with which we can monitor and influence plant development.

The value of precision

Imagine using load cells between the trellis where your tomatoes or cucumbers grow. Here's what they can do for you:

Tracking Plant Weight
This will give you insight into the overall health and growth of your plants.

Harvest and pruning records.
Yield, harvest weight, and pruned leaves are recorded separately and totaled. This gives you a clear picture of production per square meter.

Recording of the fine work
Activities such as thinning, pinching, and removing leaves from the head can be identified, providing valuable data on the effect of these tasks on gross biomass.

Now that we have insight into the gross biomass increase and the effect of actions on the plant, we can take the next step!

Optimizing your cultivation

The real benefit of load cells comes from analyzing net growth. By analyzing growth data and the changes that occur during plant activities, you can identify periods of slower or even declining growth. This offers opportunities for refining your cultivation strategy:

Identify suboptimal conditions
By linking growth data to cultivation activities, you can more accurately adjust specific actions such as opening and closing screens, watering and ventilation.

Responding to weather conditions
Gain insight into how light and dark days affect growth, so you can anticipate weather changes.

Evaluate Experimental Results
Make objective evaluations of differences in treatments, varieties, and fertilization strategies.

Early
detection of stressful conditions for plants, often before they are visible to the naked “grower’s eye”.

Continuous insight

One of the biggest advantages of using load cells is the ability to provide continuous, day and night insight into plant health and growth. This means you can take proactive action before potential problems become apparent in the greenhouse.

Load cells offer a significant contribution to managing plant growth in greenhouses. Their precise measurements and analyses provide valuable information to refine your cultivation strategy. This results in healthier plants, higher yields, and more sustainable greenhouse horticulture. By incorporating load cells into your measurement system, you can take a significant step forward in optimizing your cultivation processes.