Magic Blue Light: A Versatile Mediator of Plant Elongation

Abstract

Blue light plays an important role in regulating plant elongation. However, due to the limitations of older lighting technologies, the responses of plants to pure blue light have not been fully studied, and some of our understandings of the functions of blue light in the literature need to be revisited. This review consolidates and analyzes the diverse findings from previous studies on blue-light-mediated plant elongation. By synthesizing the contrasting results, we uncover the underlying mechanisms and explanations proposed in recent research. Moreover, we delve into the exploration of blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a tool for manipulating plant elongation in controlled-environment plant production, highlighting the latest advancements in this area. Finally, we acknowledge the challenges faced and outline future directions for research in this promising field. This review provides valuable insights into the pivotal role of blue light in plant growth and offers a foundation for further investigations to optimize plant elongation using blue light technology.

Diverse Flowering Response to Blue Light Manipulation: Application of Electric Lighting in Controlled-Environment Plant Production

“…Like diverse plant elongation responses to BL as presented in our recent review [3], inconsistent results have also been reported on plant flowering response to the BL manipulation through electric lighting in the literature. This would affect its application in commercial plant production.…”

“…In controlled environments such as a greenhouse and vertical farm, BL can be more precisely manipulated through electric lighting, especially with the development of LED technology. Unlike traditional lighting, blue LEDs can provide narrow-band BL without containing other light wavelengths (i.e., pure BL), which can affect photoreceptors' activity differently from impure BL (i.e., normally including low-levels other wavelengths) from non-LED lighting [3]. Also, blue LEDs have become more and more efficient and inexpensive for commercial applications [4].…”

Antioxidative Response and Phenolic Content of Young Industrial Hemp Leaves at Different Light and Mycorrhiza

“…It is well known that plants are grown under blue light, inhibiting elongation to produce short, thick, dense plants with increasing root development, whereas isolated red light creates tall, stretched plants with thin leaves and long stems [ 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. This is also confirmed in this study, as hemp seedlings were under significant ( p < 0.05) influence of light treatment, whereas greater values of all morphological parameters were recorded on white light (FLUO).…”