What range of light intensity does a plant need to grow well
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Optimal Light Intensity for Plant Growth
Understanding the optimal light intensity for plant growth is crucial for maximizing yield and quality in various crops. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the light intensity requirements for different plant species.
Light Intensity for Leafy Vegetables
Lettuce and Spinach
Research on lettuce and spinach cultivars grown under different light intensities in plant factories reveals that light intensity significantly impacts growth and quality. For instance, lettuce cultivars such as Crunchy and Deangelia showed the best growth metrics (plant height, number of leaves, and leaf width) at a light intensity of 300 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹. However, this intensity also caused tipburn in Crunchy and Deangelia, suggesting that 240 and 180 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ are more optimal for balanced growth without adverse effects.
Red Lettuce
In controlled environments, Batavia red lettuce cv 'Blackhawk' exhibited enhanced photosynthetic performance and growth under higher light intensities. The best results were observed at 389 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, which promoted net photosynthesis, electron transport rate, and the synthesis of protective pigments like anthocyanins and carotenoids.
General Recommendations for Lettuce
A review of optimal conditions for lettuce in controlled environments suggests that light intensities between 200 and 250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, with a photoperiod of 16-18 hours using red and blue LEDs, are ideal for improving growth and light use efficiency. Additionally, light intensities of 350 to 600 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ are recommended depending on the temperature, with 500 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ being optimal during medium to high temperatures.
Light Intensity for Cannabis
Cannabis plants respond differently to light intensity compared to leafy vegetables. Studies show that dry inflorescence yield increases linearly with increasing light intensity up to 1,800 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹. This high light intensity also improves the density of apical inflorescences and harvest index, leading to higher-quality marketable tissues.
Light Intensity for Ornamental Plants
Ornamental plants like Lavandula sp., Anthurium sp., Zantedeschia aethiopica, and Spathiphyllum wallisii grown in constructed wetlands benefit from light intensities ranging from 720 to 856 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹. These intensities support healthy growth and flowering, although Lavandula sp. did not survive under these conditions.
Light Intensity for Pleioblastus pygmaeus
For Pleioblastus pygmaeus, a bamboo species, light intensity significantly affects the growth of its rhizome-root system. Optimal growth was observed under light intensities up to 60% of full sunlight, with 40% full sunlight being a critical threshold for healthy development.
Conclusion
The optimal light intensity for plant growth varies significantly among species and even among different cultivars of the same species. For leafy vegetables like lettuce and spinach, light intensities between 180 and 300 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ are generally effective, while cannabis requires much higher intensities up to 1,800 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ for optimal yield. Ornamental plants and specific species like Pleioblastus pygmaeus also have unique light requirements that need to be carefully managed to ensure healthy growth. Tailoring light intensity to the specific needs of each plant type is essential for maximizing growth and quality.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Effects of Light Intensity on Growth and Quality of Lettuce and Spinach Cultivars in a Plant Factory
High Light Intensity from Blue-Red LEDs Enhance Photosynthetic Performance, Plant Growth, and Optical Properties of Red Lettuce in Controlled Environment
Cannabis Yield, Potency, and Leaf Photosynthesis Respond Differently to Increasing Light Levels in an Indoor Environment
Red, blue or mix: choice of optimal light qualities for enhanced plant growth through in silico analysis.
Optimal control of environmental conditions affecting lettuce plant growth in a controlled environment with artificial lighting: A review
Growth, Photosynthesis, and Nutrient Uptake at Different Light Intensities and Temperatures in Lettuce
Influence of light intensity on growth and flowering ornamental plants in constructed wetlands
Growth and Development Responses of the Rhizome-Root System in Pleioblastus pygmaeus to Light Intensity
Effect of Light Intensity and Quality on Growth Rate and Composition of Chlorella vulgaris
Light-Quality Manipulation to Control Plant Growth and Photomorphogenesis in Greenhouse Horticulture: The State of the Art and the Opportunities of Modern LED Systems
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