Title : Modulating plant physiology via LED lighting
Abstract:
Plant growth and development are significantly influenced by environmental factors, including light intensity and quality. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to the use of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in controlled environments, such as greenhouses. This technology allows the selection of specific light wavelengths and intensities, enabling the identification of “spectral recipes” that help plants to counteract various environmental stressors. In this study, the effects of different light spectra and intensity combinations on the fitness of several plant species under both optimal and stress conditions were evaluated. By monitoring biometric characteristics (root and shoot growth) together with parameters involved in redox homeostasis, including reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, and redox (thiol-disulfide) status of proteins, significant species-specific responses, were observed. The results highlight that LED light quality and quantity differentially modulate the considered biochemical and morphological parameters. Specifically, narrow-band blue and red LEDs affected plant metabolism and defence responses in a different way. Overall, blue light treatment led to lower germination rates, reduced visual quality, and lower biometric and biochemical parameters, although in some species it positively influences enzymatic and non-enzymatic components such as ascorbic acid and phenols. Furthermore, the gathered data will be analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA), to assess the individual and interactive effects of the lights source (red, blue, and white LEDs), their intensities, and the different species or cultivars considered. Further studies are needed to provide an in-depth analysis on how specific light conditions can strengthen the antioxidant machinery and induce anatomical modifications, ultimately improving crop productivity and stress resilience through sustainable agricultural practices.
