How to select proper spectrum for plants?

The widely use of LED grow lights in#indoor farming, #greenhouse, #vertical farm, etc. has recently seen substantial growth. 

How can we get a real work #grow light for optimizing the yield, quality, and variability of plants? The most important is grow light #spectrum. 

However, it is oftentimes confusing and challenging to choose the right spectrum for plants and knowing how they affect photosynthesis.

What is Grow Light Spectrum?

Grow light spectrum refers to the electromagnetic wavelengths of light produced by a light source to promote plant growth. 

During photosynthesis, plants use light in the PAR (photosynthetic active radiation) region of wavelengths (400nm-700nm). 

Different wavelengths PAR lighting work on different growth performance.

Typically, chlorophyll, the molecule in plants responsible for converting light energy into

chemical energy, absorbs most light in blue and red for photosynthesis. 

UV Light Spectrum (100–400 nm)

Outside of PAR region(400-700nm), #UV light spectrum is 100-400nm, which is not visible by human eye. It is divided into 3 types--

UV-A (315-400 nm), UV-B (280-315 nm), and UV-C (100-280 nm). 

10% of sun’s light is ultraviolet. Overexposure to UV light can be harmed to plants, however, small 

amounts can have beneficial effects on color, nutritional value, taste, and aroma.

Research shows environmental stress, fungus, and pests can also be reduced using controlled amounts 

of UV. Also, an increase in cannabinoids like THC (5) in Cannabis can be achieved using UV-B light (280nm – 315nm).

Blue Light Spectrum (420-470 nm)

Blue light spectrum is widely responsible for increasing plant quality – especially in leafy crops. 

It promotes the stomatal  opening – which allows more CO2 to enter the leaves. Blue light drives 

peak chlorophyll pigment absorption for photosynthesis. 

It’s essential for seedlings and young plants during vegetative stages to establish a healthy root 

and stem structure – and very important when stem stretching must be reduced. 

Red Light Spectrum (610–680 nm)

As all of us know that red light is the most effective light spectrum to encourage photosynthesis as it’s 

highly absorbed by chlorophyll pigments. Red light wavelengths (especially 660nm) encourage stem, 

leaf, and general vegetative growth – but most commonly, tall, stretching of leaves and flowers. 

A balanced pairing with blue light is necessary to counteract any overstretching, like disfigured stem 

elongation. Combination with other PAR wavelengths can greatly promote growth and maximize the yield.

Green Light Spectrum (500–570 nm)

Compared with red and blue light, the role of green light is often overlooked. Green light’s ability to

penetrate a plant’s canopy help for photosynthesis.

It improves fiber synthesis for better enhances taste, and increase the synthesis efficiency of various 

trace elements. What is more, Green light can neutralize the red and blue spectrum, reducing the visual "light pollution".

Far-red Light Spectrum (730-750 nm)

In 1957, biologist Robert Emerson found that green plants were much more efficient at photosynthesis

under combination of red light (wavelength 660nm) and infrared light (wavelength >700nm) 

than only wavelength 660nm alone.  

#Far-red can affect plant growth by initiating a shade-avoidance response.

Under Far-red, plants feel that there are objects blocking the light in the high place and they will try to 

grow to a higher place to promote the rapid growth of plants.

Far-red can be very useful to promote flowering, and in certain plants, increase fruit yield. In short-day 

plants like Cannabis, which rely on longer periods of darkness, 730nm can be used at the end of a light cycle to promote flowering. 

What spectrum mostly MAX Grow Light use?

1.Flowering light

One of most successful project of MAX light is our flowering light. We use higher ratio of RED+Far-red to

promote flowering, according to special function of red and far-red.

2.Vegetable light

Most vertical farm concerns a lot about vegetable light. But different vegetable we in different growth

 period ask for different spectrum. For example, Max use more red light to maximize bell paper growth--

bell paper belongs to fruit, while full spectrum( combination of blue, green, red) for lettuce leafy vegetable.

3.Strawberry light

Also many customer use supplementary light for fruits. The most common is for strawberry. The 1^st 

successful project of MAX light is strawberry light. We combine Blue, red, far-red to help fruit.

Different plants in different growth period has different demand. We shall supplement proper light 

spectrum for different purpose to maximize the yield.

More talk welcome to leave us messages.

Thank you for reading!