![]() ![]() Chloroplasts in the cells of the plant’s leaves contain a specialized greenish pigment called chlorophyll, which aids in the absorption of photons. When a plant absorbs light energy for photosynthesis, it absorbs it in the form of photons, which are electromagnetic bundles of energy. The first term we will discuss is light intensity. In order to understand how to best use artificial lights to grow plants, it is best to review a few more key terms related to photosynthesis. While photosynthesis typically involves sunlight, it can be simulated in indoor gardens or greenhouse environments using artificial lights. So, how do grow lights fit in to photosynthesis? As we discussed, light is one of the key ingredients of photosynthesis. If an animal eats the plant, the energy is then transferred to the animal, and such is the circle of life. The plant might use this energy to grow taller, to fruit, or to flower or, the plant might store the energy to use later. As you can see, the photosynthetic process is a transfer of energy from the light source (typically the sun) to the plant. The oxygen is released back into the atmosphere, and the glucose is retained by the plant as a form of chemical energy. Energy from the light creates a chemical reaction between the water (H 2 O) molecules and the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) molecules, breaking them down and reorganizing them into oxygen (O 2 ) and a form of sugar called glucose (C 6 H 12 O 6 ). Once the plant has taken in these three key ingredients – water, carbon dioxide, and light – photosynthesis can occur. However, as we will discuss, growers and farmers can simulate the process using artificial light from grow lights. In naturally occurring photosynthesis, this light comes from the sun. Specialized cells in the leaves of the plant, called chloroplasts, absorb light using a pigment called chlorophyll. The plant acquires the second ingredient, carbon dioxide, through its leaves, which take in carbon dioxide from the air and eventually release oxygen, a product of photosynthesis. ![]() Some plants, such as cacti and lily pads, use other ways to take on water, but roots are the most common. To get the first ingredient, water, the plant’s roots draw in water and minerals from the ground, typically soil. In order for a plant to undergo photosynthesis, it needs three key “ingredients” – water, carbon dioxide, and light. We will begin by providing a recap of the photosynthetic process. In this article we will discuss photosynthesis in great detail to understand how you, as a grower or farmer, can better harness the power of artificial light to grow your plants. However, due to technological advances over the last several decades, humans have learned to trigger photosynthesis using artificial lights, now commonly known as grow lights. When we learned about photosynthesis in school, most of us learned that the process requires sunlight. Back in school, we all learned about photosynthesis, the process by which a plant converts light energy into chemical energy that it uses to live and grow. ![]()
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