What is DLI?
DLI stands for Daily Light Integral. It is the measurement of the total amount of light that falls in a certain location. Knowing the DLI is important in determining if there is sufficient natural light for your crops or if supplemental light is required for your greenhouse operation.
How does it work?
First, choose the DLI reading you want from the drop-down menu. Then fill in the address, zip code or city name where your farm/greenhouse is located and hit ENTER. Review the map to make sure the location is correct. Then, use the table below which displays the average daily DLI readings by month.
How much light do my crops need?
The amount of light that your crops need varies by crop type. Consider the following estimates:
Microgreens: 12 mol / m2 / day
Leafy Greens & Herbs: 16-19 mol / m2 / day
Strawberries: 20-24 mol / m2 / day
Tomatoes, Peppers & Cucumbers: 24-28 mol / m2 / day
The DLI calculator was created by Agritecture Software Engineer Intern Almazhan Kapan. The theory behind the calculations is available here. For questions regarding the functionality of the calculator, please reach out to Agritecture Lead Agronomist David Ceaser.