UV-SINTEC


UV-LEDs for Sustainable, Innovative, Technology-Enabled Cropping


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Light quality for crop flavour, colour and plant shape

 

Those of us lucky enough to have holidayed in the Mediterranean may recall the strong, fragrant smell of wild rosemary or thyme growing on a sun drenched, rocky coast. Indeed, the link between sun exposure and crop quality is well known and marketed through concepts such as “sun ripened tomatoes”. So, is there any truth in sun ripened crops having a better aroma, colour and overall flavour, and can we, based at more northerly latitudes, improve our crops to capture that Mediterranean feel?

Our project aims to improve crop lighting to better reflect natural sunlight, and using the benefits of light to improve the crop's colour, flavour and plant architecture.

Interested to know more? Read the full story or Contact us

News

14 Apr 2023

UV4Pigments Conference

On 17 and 18 April 2023 the UV4Pigments conference will take place in Szekszárd in Hungary. The small, discussion-intensive workshop, organised by the UV4Plants Association, will focus on the effects of solar and artificial UV radiation on pigments in plants.
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03 Jan 2023

UV regulates plant architecture of in vitro-grown mint plants

A new paper published in the journal Agronomy explains that exposing Mentha spicata (L.) plants to UV-B radiation while growing in tissue culture containers, changes the architecture of the plants. These changes were associated with significant alterations in concentrations of several hormones, indicating a regulatory rather than a stress response to UV-B.
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14 Dec 2022

UV Radiation Induces Specific Changes in the Carotenoid Profile of Arabidopsis thaliana

Check out our new study on UV interaction with carotenoid in plants which was today published in the journal Biomolecules: Badmus, U.O.; Crestani, G.; Cunningham, N.; Havaux, M.; Urban, O.; Jansen, M.A.K. UV Radiation Induces Specific Changes in the Carotenoid Profile of Arabidopsis thaliana. Biomolecules 2022, 12, 1879. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12121879
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15 Nov 2022

Video: Shining a light on healthier food

Our multi-discipline research project has successfully developed a lighting system to replace the nutritional value lost when plant food is grown indoors, away from UV light. University College Cork (UCC) has announced that the collaborative project, funded by Science Foundation Ireland, has evaluated innovative UV-LED systems in plant growth trials and is currently looking for potential partners from commercial horticulture to further develop this UV technology.
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Information Leaflet

Our one page leaflet summarises what the project is about. Download the leaflet from our Stakeholders Page.

We are keen to work with growers and other interested parties. If you would like more information on the project or on how we could work together, please contact us.

UV LED for Crops Research Group

School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland, T23 TK30

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