Light emitting diode (LED) lights for the improvement of plant performance and production: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Light quality (spectral arrangement) and quantity (photoperiod and intensity) influence plant growth and metabolism and also interact with several factors including environmental parameters in defining the plant behavior. The Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights are extensively utilized in the cultivation of several plant species, especially horticultural plants due to their lower power consumption and higher luminous efficiency compared to the conventional fluorescent lights. The aim of this review paper is to examine the potential of LED technology as it relates to plant lighting in greenhouses and other horticultural environments. It also desires to give an in-depth study of the advantages of LED lighting on plant development, yield, the production of secondary metabolites, and defense mechanisms. Horticultural lighting might undergo a revolution because LEDs are used in solid-state lighting, which would be a tremendous advancement after decades of research. LEDs may be used in a variety of horticulture lighting applications, such as tissue culture lighting, controlled environment research lighting, supplementary lighting, and photoperiod lighting for greenhouses. The primary impacts of light colors on plant performance are shown by the spectrum effects of LEDs as an independent source of light, together with the diverse sensitivity of many plant species and alternatives. LED light influences performance of enzyme, gene expression, cell wall formation, plant defense and postharvest quality. The spectrum reactions are mediated by the ambient lighting in a greenhouse, which also indicates a strong relationship between the additional supplementary lighting and changing environmental factors. LEDs are growing further to become cost-effective for even large-scale horticulture lighting applications as light output increases and device expenditures decrease.