Narrow Bandwidths of Light alter a Plant’s Secondary Metabolism

Tristan D. Sanders,* Youyoun Moon, Nicole L. Waterland
Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presentation Category: Science & Technology (Oral Presentation)

Student’s Major: Biochemistry

The invention of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) was a great achievement due to their efficient conversion of electrical energy into photons of various wavelengths. These photons are valuable light sources for indoor agriculture applications, enabling efficient local food production. The narrow bandwidths of light emission allow us to combine multiple types of LEDs to maximize crop yield and quality of crops by enhanced production of nutritional and health promoting compounds (secondary metabolites). Plants produce secondary metabolites in response to stress such as UV light, and many of these compounds have strong antioxidant or even anticarcinogenic capacity that humans can reap benefits from by consuming them. In this review the effects of major light spectra (UV, blue, green, red,) generated by LEDs on the accumulation of secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, glucosinolates, and terpenoids were discussed. Additionally, the possible biosynthetic pathways regulated by the light spectra mentioned above were explained. This review provides a comprehensive view of the utilization of LED lightings for improved crop production.

Funding:

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: a West Virginia SURE program