Controlled Environment Agriculture Webinar Series

Friday, February 11, 2022

Making $en$e of Lighting During Propagation 

For the next episode in OMAFRA's webinar series on Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), Greenhouse Floriculture Specialist Chevonne Dayboll will be exploring the research that has been done with supplemental lighting during the propagation phase. 

Chevonne will be joined by two extension specialists out of Michigan State University, Dr. Roberto Lopez and Dr. Erik Runkle, to talk about their work on this topic, and help to point producers in the right direction when it comes to making decisions about supplemental lighting. 


Dr. Roberto Lopez is an Associate Professor and controlled environment/ floriculture extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University. His research focuses on young specialty crop (floriculture, leafy greens, and herbs) propagation and finish plant production in greenhouses, growth rooms, and vertical farms. He earned his B.S. at the University of New Mexico and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Horticulture at Michigan State University. He has a research and extension appointment and teaches two courses: Greenhouse Structures and Management and Floriculture Production. 

Dr. Erik Runkle is a Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University. He obtained a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Illinois and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Horticulture at Michigan State University. Since Erik joined the faculty in 2001, he and his graduate research team have performed numerous practical experiments in greenhouse and vertical farming environments to better understand how light, temperature, and other environmental factors control plant growth and development. Most recently, they have been focusing on how the photon spectrum regulates plant growth, flowering, yield, and quality attributes of horticultural crops, particularly ornamentals and leafy greens.

For more information on the event, or trouble shooting, click here!