It is a vital ingredient in the process of photosynthesis where it is converted into sugar. Apart from supplying energy to the plant, light plays a huge in the plant by regulating other processes. Due to the environmental problems or lack of adequate sunlight, most growers are practicing indoor farming. The use artificial sunlight from the LEDs is increasingly becoming popular. The yield is far much better compared to the use of the natural sunlight. But how does the LED light influence the growth of the plant?
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How does led light influence plant growth?
Basically, plants need water, carbon dioxide and light to make edible food through the process of photosynthesis. With the limitation of the natural sunlight, LEDs happens to be the best alternative since they can provide artificial sunlight and amongst other advantages. LED light influences plant growth in the following three ways.
1. Light quality
The quality of light is an crucial factor when it comes to the plant growth. LEDs produce a spectrum that is almost equal to that of the natural sunlight. It is these colors in the spectrum that somehow influences the growth of the plant in a great way. Here are the main colors and how the influence the plant growth.
• Blue light– This is one of the most important lights in the plant growth. Different studies have should that exposure of the plant to this influences that formation of the chlorophyll. It’s one of the most important parts of the plant in the process of the photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is also known for controlling the plant’s cellular respiration, and this helps in regulating the amount of water lost through evaporation.
So with the chlorophyll formation, the plant is able to retain an adequate amount of water while at the same time improving the growth of the plant by producing more food. Blue light thus affects the process of photosynthesis indirectly. With the more chlorophylls being formed, the plant can make more food, and this increases the plant growth and maturity rate. Studies have also shown that high intensity of blue light increase the metabolism in the plant and is what accelerates plant growth and development.
• Red light- Red light plays a huge role in the plant growth. Through the red light receptors, plants can easily identify and absorb this light. Most studies have shown that plants that have been grown in the plenty of the red light appear large, taller and with plenty of leaves. This is one of the main reasons why plants grown under LED are known to produce more yield from this fact. With plenty this light being emitted by the LEDs, the grower will realize more produce from their plants.
Red light is also crucial in the controlling the flowering of the plants. If properly used, it enhances the flowering of the plants, and this definitely accelerates the maturity of the plants.Red light also influences the flavor of the plant produce. Studies have shown that it increases the concentration of the special and essential oils in the plants. This is why plants exposed to high intensities of red light have great flavor.
• Far Red Light- This is an important light that’s mostly useful in the early stages of the plant development. It plays a huge role in the plant germination and later in the flowering stage. In most cases, this light works hand in hand with the red light for better yields.
2. Duration of Light Exposure
The duration under which the plant gets exposed to the light is crucial for its development. Studies have shown that plants that have been exposed to the light for long hours mature quickly and they have better yields. For instance, if the sunlight is available for 12 hours of the day, the rest dark hours will be no food making, and the plant growth will stall. LED provides the plant with light for 24 hours. This is why indoor plants have high maturity rate compared to those exposed to natural sunlight.
3. Intensity
The higher the light intensity the higher is the growth rate, and the better the yield. With LEDs, it is possible to enhance the light intensity by providing moving the lights nearer to the plant or adding more light in the growing space.
These are three ways how LED light influence plant growth. It is important to note that the main use of the light is enhancing the process of photosynthesis. All that the LEDs do is providing the plant with what it requires from the sunlight and in larger quantities for enhanced photosynthesis. This why this light results in better growth and yields compared to the natural sunlight.
I think now you are clear about how does led light influence plant growth ?