Provide some suggestions for LED horticultural growth lights to help them choose the most suitable LED lighting for the controlled environment. Some concepts are proposed for full spectrum.

First of all, it is important to understand that "full spectrum" is not actually strictly defined and is not targeted at any industry. The term is a marketing label used to describe a light source that mimics natural light ("white" light). Therefore, full spectrum may mean different things to different manufacturers.

Second, LEDs produce white light in two ways: by mixing red, green, and blue diodes. Or more commonly, a phosphor coating is applied to a single diode, such as a yellow phosphor to a blue diode to produce white light. However, coatings degrade over time, causing color shifts, and thicker coatings may limit light output efficiency. There is no such thing as a white LED, only the light emitted by the LED looks white to our eyes.

The third thing to note is that extensive coverage is not complete coverage. The full solar spectrum includes UV and IR wavelengths that many full-spectrum products cannot produce. This type of light effectively spans the visible spectrum (combining purple, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red), but is less concerned about the ultraviolet and infrared exposures that benefit certain crops. In other words, in most cases, the full spectrum is not a true substitute for outdoor growth conditions.

The fourth point is that the most easily absorbed colors by plants to promote photosynthesis are red and blue. Research continues to prove that red and blue growth lights are the most efficient, provide the highest output (umol / s), and consistently produce outstanding results. For example, in greenhouses where daylight already provides the yellow and green wavelengths required by plants, complementary purple growth lighting strategies can boost year-round yields.

Finally, growers can strategically add white work lights to increase employee comfort while applying purple light.

The study states that plants derive photosynthetic energy from the entire spectrum, with some of the red and blue wavelengths being the most beneficial. The goal of LED lighting manufacturers is to take advantage of how plants respond to specific wavelengths at various stages of growth.