Features of using LED plant light

Artificial plant light absorption spectrum is stimulating the growth of plants. But here is the lighting that gives the desired spectrum, wavelength, while not over drying the delicate leaves of plants.  This is a new achievement in greenhouse lighting! Efficiency at the level of 95% is given by LED lamps when use to stimulate the development of various crops.

Light for plants is synonymous with life. Standard incandescent lamps or HPS lamps, which heat the surface to one degree or another, can have a detrimental effect on the leaves, drying them out. Therefore, now LED plant light are becoming more and more popular.

LEDs also provide the wavelengths most demanded by plants, namely:

• spectrum with a wavelength of 440-450 nm – blue;
• the spectrum with a wavelength of 650–660 nm is red.

However, not only these two spectra are useful for plants. Let’s try to reveal this issue in more detail in order to choose the right lighting.

The principle of the effects of the spectra and the result

Light affects the growth and development of plants by several of its indicators, namely: intensity, wavelength, impact on biochemical processes. The main types of spectrum that use in hydroponics:

Ultraviolet

 Do not forget that we are talking about substitutes for the sun, which has different wavelengths. UV LEDs have a wavelength of 360 to 410 nm. The main task is to strengthen plants, disinfect greenhouses.

Blue

 The wavelength, as already mention, is from 440 to 450 nm. This light stimulates not so much the stretching of cells. This is responsible for the growth in plant height, but rather the intracellular pressure. Accordingly, when using the blue spectrum as the dominant one, the plants become short but lush. 

In addition, plant light absorption spectrum uses at the stage of determining the sex of plants. It contributes to the development of “female individuals”, but this only applies to dioecious plants. These are not so numerous among agricultural crops.

Green

This spectrum is practically not uses by young upper leaves of plants. But a wavelength of 500–600 nm can capture by the lower leaves. However, a consensus – “for” or “against” – on this issue has not yet been developed.

Red plant light absorption spectrum

Plant light absorption spectrum is the most common and effective type. Considering the range of wavelengths and their perception by plants, two types are distinguished: weakly absorbed (620–630 nm) and far spectrum (660–700 nm). At the same time, the first type is ineffective for plants. But the second type is vital. 

It is he who gives the peak wavelength, contributing to the maximum production of chlorophyll and stimulating growth. Its greatest effectiveness is during the period of flowering and fruiting of crops.

Infrared plant light absorption spectrum

This type alone is practically not suitable for growing plants, however, there are suggestions that long wavelengths (up to 740 nm) can stimulate plants to better perceive the red spectrum. Therefore, in some cases, IR can use.

Most often, plant light use with a certain proportion of spectral light sources, namely 1 to 4. For 1 blue diode, 4 red ones should be installed for maximum performance.

The basis of this conclusion is the fact that with a general lack of illumination, a large part of the blue spectrum negatively affects the vegetative processes of plants due to its greater intensity. Therefore, competent specialists use a moderate ratio of plant light absorption spectrum diodes. 

All other spectra perform an auxiliary function and in most cases do not play a decisive role in the development of crops.

Choosing an LED phytolamp

What should be based on the choice of LED lighting for plants? Given the fact that this type of lighting is endowed with a number of advantages, the evaluation criteria are as follows:

• diode density;
• spectrum color;
• Operating voltage.

Other aspects fade into the background. This is because LEDs are sources that:

1. They serve up to 50,000 hours without outside interference.
2. Perfectly adapt to any temperature and humidity level. Often, a special microclimate is created for plants at different periods of their life. Depending on the period and type of plant, either high humidity or high temperature is selected. 
3. The LED functions well at temperatures up to +50 degrees, which guarantees correct and continuous exposure in greenhouses and incubators, where sometimes the thermometer rises to +40 degrees.
4. Economical. Depending on the type of comparative source, diodes consume 8 times less energy. With industrial volumes of growing crops, this is the optimal solution.

The right choice of plant light absorption spectrum diodes is a guarantee of a good harvest.

Import substitution policy

Over the past year, many agricultural indicators have increased significantly; including the cultivation of exotic crops in artificially create conditions. Plant light are a key link with which you can grow any type of plants completely autonomously without resorting to foreign products, which is acceptable in the context of import substitution and quite profitable later on.

The concept of photosynthetic photon flux of plant light

Modern crop production is unthinkable without appropriate light growth stimulators. These are special plant light absorption spectrum. With special spectral radiation, the necessary effect exert on the cells of the plant, due to which this or that result in its development achieve. 

In cultivation and breeding, the term “photosynthetic photon flux” often uses. This parameter is important when choosing devices for different types of representatives of the flora.

Concept definition of plant light absorption spectrum

So, the photon flux of plant light is the total value of photons, which are located in the wave spectrum from 400 to 700 nm.  If these indicators of a natural light source change depending on the season, which is not very convenient for plants cultivate artificially, then using plant light it is possible to achieve balanced light insolation for photosynthesis.

In turn, the value per unit area, or, in other words, the density of the photosynthetic photon flux, is important. The unit of this value is mol / m ² per day. Proper regulation of photosynthetic photon flux density using LED plant light allows:

• create the necessary microclimate for plants outside the natural environment;
• contribute to the acceleration of chemical reactions;
• Achieve desired yields.

Moreover, it is very important to observe the seasonality. For example, the total flow rate should be reduced in winter, increased in spring, etc.