RT info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
T1 Optimization of Artificial Lighting for Energy Efficiency and Crop Quality in Controlled Soilless Systems
A1 Lozano Castellanos, Luisa Fernanda
A2 Universidad de Valladolid. Escuela de Doctorado
K1 Agricultura
K1 Indoor agriculture
K1 Agricultura indoor
K1 Energy efficiency
K1 Eficiencia energética
K1 Diodos emisores de luz
K1 5102.01 Agricultura
AB Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) comprises intensive systems where environmental factors are artificially regulated to maximize yield and quality. Light in these systems drives photosynthesis and development, requiring strategies that sustain productivity with greater energy efficiency. This thesis aimed to optimize spectral quality, photoperiod, and fixture–canopy arrangements to enhance growth and phytochemical traits of representative crops while reducing energy demand in soilless systems. The research combined simulations of lighting layouts in lettuce cultivation with experimental evaluations of three species—Lactuca sativa, Matricaria chamomilla, and Calendula officinalis—grown under programmable LEDs in a custom-built aeroponic system or in an established ebb-and-flow hydroponic facility, complemented by a systematic review of recent advances in CEA lighting technologies. Simulations revealed that circular moving fixtures with mobile quincunx beds achieved ≈85% canopy photon capture and reduced electricity demand, lowering production costs to ?1.12 kg-1 compared to static systems. In L. sativa, the white–blue spectral regime produced higher levels of functional compounds and improved physiological indicators, including chlorophyll, anthocyanins, and nitrogen balance, reflecting enhanced crop quality. In M. chamomilla, blue-enriched light consistently accelerated floral induction, underscoring its role in reproductive regulation. In C. officinalis, a 2-h photoperiod extension with green light increased flower number, biomass, chlorophyll, anthocyanins, and sesquiterpene diversity, whereas red:far-red treatments induced elongation without advancing flowering. The systematic review consolidated evidence on four technological drivers—LED spectral modulation, automation, simulation-based design, and integration with renewable energy—identified as central for scaling CEA. It is concluded that light functions simultaneously as an energy source and a regulatory signal, and that productivity in controlled environments depends on the precise definition of which spectra are delivered, at what duration, and at what spatial distribution. By integrating simulation, experimental validation, and technological synthesis, this thesis demonstrates that tailored light management enhances both efficiency and crop quality, establishing a framework for sustainable and scalable CEA.
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/80956
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/80956
LA eng
NO Escuela de Doctorado
DS UVaDOC
RD 10-ene-2026