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How the Distribution of Photon Delivery Impacts Crops in Indoor Plant Environments: A Review

Author

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  • Rachael Warner

    (Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada)

  • Bo-Sen Wu

    (Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada)

  • Sarah MacPherson

    (Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada)

  • Mark Lefsrud

    (Department of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada)

Abstract

Indoor plant production allows for increased controllability over plant growth, particularly with the employment of specific lighting regimes. This article reviews research investigating the influence of various light regimes that provide crops with the same light spectrum and daily light integral (DLI), yet with different lighting schedules and intensities. The structure of these light regimes includes changing photoperiod duration and light intensity, cyclic lighting schedules (increased number of light/dark cycles over 24 h, same total illuminated time and intensity), and intermittent and fluctuating lighting (with intervals ranging from 60 s to 60 min). The most common crops investigated were leafy greens, although some fruiting, ornamental, and model crop Arabidopsis are included. Under constant DLI, extending photoperiod and reducing light intensity generally increased the total amount of biomass accumulation and increased light interception. Increases in the number of shortened light/dark cycles contributed to decreased yield, leaf area, and photosynthetic rate, compared to the more standard single light/dark cycle. Intermittent and fluctuating lighting regimes generally reduced biomass accumulation and light interception. These results indicate that the total amount of light delivered to crops is important, but how that light is delivered can influence crop growth. This review will be useful for growers and researchers when designing lighting systems and regimes to produce horticultural crops in indoor plant environment systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachael Warner & Bo-Sen Wu & Sarah MacPherson & Mark Lefsrud, 2023. "How the Distribution of Photon Delivery Impacts Crops in Indoor Plant Environments: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4645-:d:1088614
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Vu Phong Lam & Jaeyun Choi & Jongseok Park, 2021. "Enhancing Growth and Glucosinolate Accumulation in Watercress ( Nasturtium officinale L.) by Regulating Light Intensity and Photoperiod in Plant Factories," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-9, July.
    4. James Eaves & Stephen Eaves, 2018. "Comparing the Profitability of a Greenhouse to a Vertical Farm in Quebec," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 66(1), pages 43-54, March.
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