Collaboration Between Hishtil and Hortiv Mega-light: Enhancing Germination Efficiency
Nadav Pass, an agronomist at Hishtil—an international leader in grafted vegetable seedling production — shares insights on their collaboration with HORTIV Megalight to optimize lighting for germination rooms. This initiative was conducted at the R&D department, Hishtil’s branch in Nahalim.
The Challenge
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One of the key challenges in Hishtil’s R&D program is identifying technologies that improve seedling germination productivity. Among various approaches, they explored LED lighting solutions that could enhance efficiency when working on floor carts. Growing seedlings on floors maximizes the ratio between germination area and lighting coverage.
After evaluating numerous LED lighting manufacturers, Hishtil identified HORTIV Megalight's technology as a promising solution. Encouraged by initial positive results, they proceeded with further testing to assess its effectiveness in achieving their goals.
The Solution
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Subsequent trials revealed several advantages of HORTIV's technology. Notably, it allows seedlings to be cultivated at height within limited spaces due to the minimal distance—just a few centimeters—required between the plants and the lighting source. Additionally, unlike other shelf-based lighting solutions, HORTIV’s LED system remains cool, preventing both the plants and the surrounding environment from overheating.
Another significant advantage emerged when scaling up production. The HORTIV Megalight system demonstrated twice the efficiency of other off-the-shelf LED products in terms of light-to-energy conversion. This meant that Hishtil could illuminate their carts using only half the energy required by competing systems—an essential factor, particularly in locations with limited power supply.
Nadav highlights three critical aspects of LED lighting: efficiency, uniformity, and biological performance. With HORTIV’s system, Hishtil achieved excellent uniformity across their seedlings, contributing to improved overall results.
The Result
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The collaboration with HORTIV Megalight yielded several key benefits:
- Improved biological outcomes: Enhanced seedling health and growth.
- High efficiency, low energy consumption: A major reduction in power requirements.
- Optimized working conditions: Ability to place lighting close to plants without overheating.
-Better uniformity: Greater consistency in seedling growth and quality.
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Having completed operational process control (OPC) on multiple carts, Hishtil is now transitioning to a semi-commercial production scale. The improvements extend beyond germination to the final output, ensuring higher quality and uniformity in seedlings.
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Our Customer Says
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One of the standouts features of Hortiv Mega-light’s approach is its tailored development process. Unlike other companies that simply adapt existing products based on customer specifications, HORTIV Megalight works closely with Hishtil, offering customized solutions with robust measurement and monitoring capabilities. Additionally, their local production capacity facilitates a more responsive and effective development process.
Nadav praises the exceptional support provided by HORTIV’s leadership, noting their availability and willingness to assist even outside standard working hours, including weekends. This proactive and solution-oriented approach has significantly accelerated the development process, making it more efficient and productive.
“In our experience, they are highly professional and possess extensive knowledge in the field,” Nadav concludes. “Their responsiveness goes beyond helpful—they actively collaborate with us to find solutions, even for challenges outside their immediate scope.”
The partnership between Hishtil and HORTIV Megalight exemplifies how innovation, collaboration, and customer-focused development can drive significant advancements in agricultural technology.
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