MetaRail™ Supplemental UVA + UVB LED
Lighting Instrument
The MetaRail™
AgricUltra specifically designed the UV based MetaRail to stimulate, enhance and elevate the production of secondary metabolites in Cannabis plants (particularly the THC and terpene profiles). This supports producer-inspired plant profiles that lead to premium and unique offerings in the marketplace.
The MetaRail is highly modular and adaptable with three basic power densities. It has customizable lengths from 2 to 8 feet (or longer if required), and will easily integrate into existing grow strategies.
Multi-Channel Control with Dimming enables growers to develop proprietary light recipes, helping you develop products that are unique to your brand.
285 nm LED is proven to elevate secondary metabolites, as well as mold and pest control.
385 nm LED improves a plants’ response to 285 nm. Learn More
Channel 2 (385 nm UVA)
385 nm light is on the boundary of UVA and visible light. It is proven to increase cell wall thickness and health, making the plant more resilient against intense UV, pests, mold, and mildew.
The combination of 385nm UVA and 285 nm UVB triggers the photon receptor responsible for improving the chemical profile of Cannabis. 285 nm and 385 nm have an entourage effect on secondary metabolite production when used together.
Plants exploit blue and UVA light to drive DNA repair processes. Researchers have shown that DNA damage due to UV is mostly repaired by subsequent exposure to light in the blue or UVA range of the spectrum.12 Blue light and/or UVA exposure activate an enzyme (photolyase) that repairs damaged DNA sequences.
The advantage of this system is that when plants are exposed to UVR, there is always a lot of blue light present. The involvement of blue or UVA light in this process is known as photoreactivation. Photoreactivation is the major defence against UV-induced damage in plants.
What You Can Expect
UVA-induced changes include thicker leaves, shorter petioles and stems, increased axillary branching, and altered root-shoot ratio. UVA also increases terpene intensities but does not shift terpene profiles.
Channel 1 (285 nm UVB)
Research has proven that 285 nm UVB triggers the UVR8 pathway, which increases the production of secondary metabolites that mediate many aspects of the interaction of plants with their environment such as acting as feeding deterrents against herbivores, pollinator attractants, protective compounds against pathogens or various abiotic stresses, antioxidants, and signalling molecules.
Increased Production of Specific Secondary Metabolites in Cannabis:
• Cannabinoids
• Terpenoids
• Flavonoids
• Stilbenoids
• Alkaloids
• Lignans
UVB Chemical Profile Shaping
The combination of UVB + A + Visible light on a dynamic spectrum allows growers to develop lighting schedules that shape terpene profiles and increase other secondary metabolites. This allows them to take common genetics and develop proprietary expressions far beyond what genetics can achieve alone.
In the hands of a capable grower, our technology is an incredibly powerful tool that can better manage facility expenditures and create cannabinoid and terpene profiles that are unique to a brand.
Learn about the UVR8 chemical pathway and UVB secondary metabolite shaping
A Friendly Warning: Not All UV is Created Equal
Some lighting manufacturers include a portion of UVA in their spectrum . Although these amounts do increase secondary metabolite production to some extent, they do not effectively trigger the UVR8 chemical pathway. This specifically requires 290 to 280 nm light.
Using the correct UV wavelength
is extremely imporant as it affects plant performance as well as operating cost. UVB requires more energy than visible light to produce.
Warning: Avoid eye and skin exposure.
Wear proper eye & skin protection.
Research Partners
AgricUltra has entered into a research collaboration with Ryerson University and its newly established Ryerson Cannabis Innovation Complex, as well as the Department of Mechanical Engineering, to conduct Cannabis research.
Learn more.
Features & Benefits
Ability to increase total THC levels by 30% Learn More
UVB+A Controls Mold.
Learn More
UVB+A Controls Pests.
Learn More
Employs passive cooling, which eliminates the need for fans and prevents fan failure and its associated costs
Extends shelf life in herbs, salad greens and strawberries
Technical Information
Dimensions
Length 120 cm (47.24”) standard
Custom lengths available
Weight 2.7 kg for 120 cm
Width 65 mm
Height 65 mm
Operational Information
Distance from canopy 30.5 cm (1’)
Fixture spacing 51 cm (20”)
Cooling method Heat sink (passive)
Mounting type Cable Mounting
Direction Vertical or horizontal
Dimming Standard
Remote control Optional
UVA Technical Specifications
PPFD at 2 bars per 4‘ x 4’ Cell 16 µMols/m^2/sec
Power Density 5 W/m2
Fluence Angle 120°
Maintenance Factor (L70) 80k hours
UVA Photon Efficiencies 1.46 µMol/J
Normalized UVA
Uniformity Map
Average PPDF = 16 µMols/m²/sec
2 fixtures at 61 cm (2’) from canopy
UVB Technical Specifications
PPFD at 2 bars per 4’ x 4’ Cell 0.83 µMols/m²/sec
UVB Power Density 0.35 W/m2
UVB Fluence Angle120°
UVB Maintenance Factor (L70) 20k hours
UVB Photon Efficiencies
285 nm UVB: 0.04 µMol/J
Normalized UVB
Uniformity Map
Average PPFD 0.5 µMols/m²/sec
2 fixtures at 61 cm (2’) from canopy
Please Note
We are finding that complete uniformity is not required to benefit from the effects of UVB. Plants do not use UVB to create chemical energy that can later be released as fuel like it does with PAR during photosynthesis. We think UVB triggers a biological response that is activated throughout the plant.