Far-red: The Forgotten Photons

In this video, Dr. Bruce Bugbee reviews recent research on the powerful effect of far-red photons on plant growth and development. The summary includes the evidence for the direct value of far-red photons in photosynthesis as well as their value in promoting leaf expansion rate in lettuce. The evidence indicates that we need to redefine photosynthetic photons to include wavelengths beyond 700 nm. The availability of efficient far-red emitting LEDs means that there are immediate commercial applications of this research for indoor agriculture. VIDEO CONTENT 03:22 Far-red photons are right on the edge of visible light - 700-760 nm. 04:02 We typically break up light into three categories: blue, green, and red. 04:45 A story on Dr. Shuyang Zhen's research with four growth chambers measuring canopy photosynthesis with different lights. 06:06 The results of the study are opposite from what you would assume because of adding far-red photons. 07:53 Do white lights grow plants equally well compared to red/blue lights? 09:49 A summary of the spectral effects of different colors of light: blue photons, green photons, red photons, and far-red photons. 10:50 Bright white light is excellent for human vision to diagnose plant health to find insects, nutritional disorders, etc. 12:36 How well different colors of photons penetrate leaves. 13:33 Why did adding far-red light cause better growth in Dr. Zhen's study? 14:32 A history of the classic PAR curve from Keith McCree's research. McCree only had primitive tools to develop his curve. He had to measure each color of light separately. We have better LEDs and better tools to measure light and combinations of lights now. 15:47 A diagram of what happens with photons in the light reactions of photosynthesis. 17:53 Far-red photons all by themselves are not effective. But they work extremely well synergistically with all the other colors of photons. 18:26 There's a law that relates to photosynthesis, solar panels, and human vision: The Stark-Einstein Law. One photon excites one electron. 19:35 Is our definition of photosynthetic photons correct? 21:12 The effect of far-red happens in every plant species is the same. Far-red photons are equally valuable as the other photons. 21:53 The commercial implications. 23:03 The response of plants to shade/far-red and the effect on plant shape. 26:59 Historically, we have quantum sensors to measure PAR, but they don't measure far-red. You need an Apogee PAR-FAR sensor that separately measures PAR and far-red photons. ------ BUY A PAR-FAR or RED - FAR-RED SENSOR: https://www.apogeeinstruments.com/red... ------ Follow us to see all the cool ways our products are being used, as well as to get notices for free classes, how-to videos, and product announcements! -Facebook   / apogeeinstruments   -Twitter   / apogeeinst   -LinkedIn   / 1084851   -Instagram   / apogee_instruments