Fluence, a global leader in energy-efficient LED lighting for commercial cannabis production, has hosted its sixth PHOTOx Summit, held on September 23 and 24, 2024, in Austin, Texas. The event brought together top industry professionals, researchers, and cultivators to explore the latest breakthroughs in cannabis cultivation science and technology.
The PHOTOx Summit, curated by Fluence’s Crop Science team, has grown into a premier event for horticultural innovation, offering a platform for industry experts to share knowledge and advancements. This year’s summit featured presentations on new research findings, emerging cultivation techniques, and the evolving dynamics of the cannabis market.
In his opening address, Dr. David Hawley, principal scientist at Fluence, highlighted the rapid shift of cannabis from a niche crop to a mainstream global industry. He pointed out that the industry’s rapid development has fostered technological advancements in cannabis cultivation at a pace that would normally take decades for other crops.
“Commercial adoption and market demand have enabled advancements in cannabis cultivation technologies that, in other crops, would have taken decades of research,” said Dr. Hawley. “In lighting, we’ve discovered that cannabis has a much greater capacity for photosynthesis than other crops grown in controlled environments. It also exhibits unique morphological and metabolic responses that challenge our current understanding of photobiology. These traits have allowed us to develop highly productive cultivation methods, while also raising new questions about plant metabolism.”
The summit featured a panel discussion that included leading growers from companies such as Clade9, Aurora Cannabis, and Curaleaf. These industry leaders shared insights on cultivation metrics, breeding strategies, and the operational approaches that drive success at both craft and commercial scales. The discussion was followed by presentations from renowned cannabis researchers, including Dr. Youbin Zheng from the University of Guelph, and Dominique van Gruisen, co-founder of Innexo BV, who provided key insights into automation, genetics, and artificial intelligence in cannabis cultivation.
Dr. Hawley also reflected on the maturing cannabis industry and its future direction. “We’re turning an important page in the cannabis industry,” he said. “If the first phase focused on maximising and standardising cannabis plants, the second phase will see cannabis solidified as a true horticultural crop. The industry has matured in a very exciting way, and this year’s PHOTOx agenda reflects that evolution. We’re now exploring next-generation breeding practices, innovative pest management strategies, and cultivation methods that have become more common in traditional agricultural sectors like produce farming.”
Fluence’s PHOTOx Summit has become a key event for those looking to stay at the forefront of cannabis research and commercial cultivation. The company’s ongoing efforts to advance lighting technology and cultivation practices continue to drive the sector forward.
For more information on Fluence and its innovative lighting solutions, visit www.fluence-led.com.
