Research & Innovation Centre
At our inhouse Research & Innovation Centre, our agronomy team conducts research year round to continuously optimise our products and data modeling.
About the SGL Research & Innovation Centre
Agronomical research is carried out at the SGL Research & Innovation Centre by our agronomy team. We have both indoor and outdoor facilities. Within the indoor facility we can control all growth factors and are therefore able to simulate all possible climates. We test different grass species in various climate conditions to find the perfect balance between light and temperature for all customers worldwide, and determine what the most efficient use of both is to optimise energy savings.
In the outdoor facility we simulate a stadium environment. We monitor how the grass behaves with different light sources and temperatures, for both the short term and long term. Our monitoring system measures the growth factors 24/7 and our agronomists review and compare the data. The results are used in the development of new products and to optimise our growth algorithms and forecasts, customer data services and advice.
In addition, we also test all newly developed technology at our R&I Centre. Before a product is ‘trialed’ at sports facilities, both the technology and the agronomical results are extensively tested and reviewed by our product developers and agronomists.
For optimal growth, a grass plant requires a specific amount of light (PAR) for photosynthesis. By calculating the Daily Light Integral, or DLI, it can be determined whether the grass plant is receiving enough light for healthy growth, and thus whether additional light is needed.
- What is DLI?
- Why is DLI used for grass lighting systems?
- How can you calculate DLI?
The different wavelength compositions (colours of the light spectrum) of LED not only have effects on the hormonal balance and development of the plant, but also have significant effect on the energy consumption.
- Effect of light composition on root & shoot growth
- Effect of light composition on energy consumption
A fungus that can infect an entire grass playing surface within 48 hours: gray leaf spot.
- What is gray leaf spot?
- How can the grass get infected?
- How to prevent gray leaf spot and how to treat it?
