Dümmen Orange Tests Effects of Light Conditions on Plant Fragrance
February 28, 2019 
Over the past few months, Dümmen Orange has participated in an indoor growing trial with a selection of its annual products. The trial took place at the test location of the Dutch indoor farming company Seven Steps To Heaven, which applies proprietary indoor farming solutions to enable breakthroughs in breeding, propagating, and growing.
Various tests were done at the trial, under different circumstances, to discover the effect of indoor farming on Dümmen Orange’s crops in general, and the potential of fragrance in its product.
The main goal of the research was to determine if plants produce more fragrance under high light conditions rather than under low light conditions. Over a period of six weeks, trials were conducted under normal greenhouse conditions in the Netherlands, low-intensity photosynthesis, and high-intensity photosynthesis in combination with optimal temperature and evaporation.
Several crops were tested, including begonia, lavender, and sweet alyssum. The test team assumed that a larger photosynthetic capacity, caused by high-intensity LED light, would lead to the formation of more secondary metabolites, which should make the fragrance more intense than under low light conditions.
The researchers discovered that some crops emit a fragrance in the indoor farm, but did not when tested in a regular greenhouse. Additionally, they found that high light intensity results in more fragrance. A grower could enhance marketing opportunities by applying a photosynthesis boost in a later stage, to increase the fragrance of the crop.
Although the test was preliminary, the effect of light and other trial circumstances will certainly impact the future of growing flowers and plants. Dümmen Orange recognizes the importance of indoor farming for scented flowers and continuously executes in-house product experiences and tests, together with other growers.
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