In the heart of Tokyo, at the Shibaura Institute of Technology, a groundbreaking study led by Hibiki Igarashi is revolutionizing our understanding of plant development under artificial light. The research, published in ‘Frontiers in Plant Science’ (Frontiers in Plant Science), introduces a novel method using laser biospeckle to investigate the short-term effects of far-red (FR) light on arugula plants. This innovative approach could significantly impact the energy sector by optimizing controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and reducing costs.
The study focuses on the use of FR light to stimulate specific photoreceptors in plants, influencing their growth and development. By illuminating arugula leaves with FR and red (R) LED light, researchers simultaneously irradiated the leaves with laser light to capture biospeckles—interference patterns formed by scattered light within the plant tissue. These biospeckles provide a real-time, non-destructive measurement of internal plant activity.
The key finding? The healthiness and age of the plant significantly affect how it responds to FR light. Younger plants showed a faster increase in biospeckle activity (BA) compared to older ones, indicating heightened internal activity. “Our results suggest that BA could be used as a measure to investigate the effects of FR or FR plus R in plant development within a timeframe of a few minutes,” Igarashi explains. This discovery opens doors to more efficient and cost-effective cultivation techniques in CEA.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. CEA, which relies heavily on artificial lighting, consumes vast amounts of energy. By optimizing light exposure based on plant age and health, farmers can reduce energy consumption and costs. “This method allows for speedier investigation of FR effects on plants, which could lead to more precise and energy-efficient cultivation practices,” Igarashi adds.
As climate change continues to challenge traditional agriculture, the need for sustainable and efficient cultivation methods becomes ever more pressing. This research, by providing a novel, real-time measurement technique, could shape the future of plant development studies and CEA. It offers a glimpse into a future where technology and agriculture converge to create more sustainable and energy-efficient farming practices.