March 9, 2023
Multiple Trials of XTi PAWS on Different Tomato Varieties 2019 – 2023
Internal XTi Trials
Conclusion: Exposure of multiple varieties of tomato to XTi’s pulsed alternating wavelength system (PAWS) generally resulted in improved efficiencies (gram of edible fruit/kWh), increased flowering and tomato production, and an overall increase in total harvested fruit weight.
Study Objective:
- To evaluate the effect of XTi PAWS on production of multiple tomato varieties.
Background:
- Previous XTi trials had shown a significant increase in flowering and fruit production under XTi lighting.
- Tomato trials were designed to look at total flowering and fruit production, as well as fruit size and weight.
Methods:
- The studies were conducted at XTi’s research facility in northern Colorado.
- 4 ft x 4 ft grow tents were utilized for different XTi lighting “recipes”, as well as control lighting.
- T5 lights were used in all control tents.
- XTi lights were generally on 16-24 hours/day. The control tents were lit for 12-18 hours/day.
- Multiple seeds were planted in each pot and duplicate plants were pulled after germination.
- Trials were done utilizing either drip or ebb & flow watering systems.
- Miracle Gro potting mix was used as media, with additional Miracle Gro all-purpose plant food per trial protocol.
Results:
- XTi recipes generally showed significantly improved efficiencies (gram of edible fruit/kWh), increased flowering and tomato production, and an overall increase in total harvested fruit weight.
- Plants under XTi lighting generally showed overall faster growth than control plants.
- Different XTi recipes showed varying abilities to affect plant size, phenotype, tomato size and numeration, as well as tomato taste.
- Not every XTi “recipe” was successful, some “recipes” performed poorly compared to control lighting.
Discussion:
- XTi lighting can significantly increase total tomato output from tomato plants of multiple varieties.
- Different XTi recipes can be used to maximize desirable plant qualities/fruit production.
- Different tomato varieties produced different results under the same, or similar, recipes.
- Optimal production from different tomato varieties may require different XTi “recipes.”