The concept of photobiology in protected horticulture is applied to
understand how light quality, quantity, and duration impact growth and development
within a controlled environment, for example, in greenhouses or vertical farms. Light
in the PAR range (400-700 nm), photosynthetically active, is an important part of
photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis, and secondary metabolite formation. Artificial
sources, like LEDs, are used in protected horticulture to achieve optimal light
conditions for healthy plant growth and increased yield throughout the year. The effect
of variation in wavelength is broad-ranging in plant physiology. Red light was found to
increase flowering and biomass yield, while blue light increases compact growth and
leaf expansion. UV and far-red light affect plant response, which includes stress
resistance, flowering, and lengthening of stems. This will be achievable by
manipulating the light spectrum and photoperiod to control the growth cycles of the
plants, thereby enhancing crop quality through reduced energy consumption and
efficient resource use. Advances in photobiology make it possible to create recipes of
light for different crops, where output can be maximized under protected conditions. In
addition, integration with the control of light with environmental variables, including
temperature, humidity, and CO2
concentration, leads to more sustainable and highefficiency agricultural systems. In a nutshell, photobiology in protected horticulture
helps optimize plant performance, contributes to food security, and supports
sustainable agricultural practices in controlled environments.
Keywords: Artificial light, Environment, Light, photobiology, photosynthesis, protected horticulture.
