In the heart of South Korea, researchers are shedding new light on how LED technology can revolutionize plant growth, with implications that stretch far beyond the fields and into the energy sector. Da Young Lee, a researcher at Kangwon National University’s Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, has been investigating how different qualities of LED light can influence the growth and morphology of basil, a popular culinary herb. Her findings, published in the journal “Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca” (which translates to “Botanical Notes of the Agrobotanical Garden Cluj-Napoca”), could pave the way for more efficient, energy-effective plant factories.
Lee’s study focused on the effects of various LED light qualities on the growth and photomorphogenesis of basil (cv. ‘Amethyst Improved’) in a closed-type plant factory. She and her team used a range of LED lights, including QD-LED (combining blue, red, and far-red light), Blue+Red-LED, White-LED, 100% Blue-LED, and 100% Red-LED, to cultivate basil for 35 days. The results were striking.
“Basil grown under QD-LED showed the most significant growth, with the longest plant height, the highest number of leaves, and the greatest shoot fresh weight,” Lee explained. “In fact, the shoot fresh weight was up to four times higher than in other treatment groups.” This finding is a game-changer for the commercial production of leafy vegetables, as it demonstrates the potential for LED lighting to boost yields in controlled environments.
But the story doesn’t end there. The study also revealed that the curvature and morphological characteristics of basil leaves changed depending on the ratio of red light at 600-700 nm. “The curvature index was highest for Blue+Red-LED and Red-LED, indicating that the ratio of red light plays a crucial role in shaping the leaves’ morphology,” Lee noted. This insight could inform the design of future LED systems, optimizing them for specific plant traits.
The implications for the energy sector are substantial. As the world moves towards more sustainable and efficient food production systems, closed-type plant factories equipped with tailored LED lighting could become a mainstay. These facilities use significantly less water and land than traditional farms, and with the right lighting, they could also achieve higher yields. This could lead to a reduction in the energy required for food production, as well as a decrease in the carbon footprint associated with transportation, as food can be grown closer to consumers.
Moreover, the study’s findings on the antioxidant effects of basil grown under different LED lights could open up new avenues for the production of high-value crops. “We found that the antioxidant effect was best in Red-LED, with the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenol content,” Lee said. This suggests that LED lighting could be used not just to boost yields, but also to enhance the nutritional value of crops.
As we look to the future, the potential for LED technology to transform agriculture is immense. From improving plant growth and morphology to enhancing nutritional content, the possibilities are endless. And with researchers like Da Young Lee at the helm, we can expect to see even more innovative developments in this field in the years to come.