LEDs could benefit bedding plants

A recenty study has found that LEDs can benefit bedding plants.

The study, published on www.phys.org, found that LEDs are more efficient than other lights and can improve plant traits. Results showed that the height of Catharanthus, Celosia, Impatiens, Petunia, Tagetes, Salvia, and Viola was 31 percent, 29 percent, 31 percent, 55 percent, 20 percent, 9 percent, and 35 percent shorter, respectively, for seedlings grown under 85:15 red:blue LEDs compared with those grown under high-pressure sodium lamps.

Stem caliper of Antirrhinum, Pelargonium, and Tagetes was 16 percent, 8 percent, and 13 percent larger, respectively, for seedlings grown under the 85:15 red:blue LEDs compared with seedlings grown under HPS lamps. The quality index was significantly higher for Petunia, Salvia, and Viola under 85:15, 70:30, and 100:0 red:blue LEDs than under HPS lamps, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that seedling quality for the majority of the species tested under supplemental light LEDs providing both red and blue light was similar or higher than those grown under high-pressure sodium lamps.

For more: www.phys.org