Using light to improve commercial value

Jones, M. A. (2018) Using light to improve commercial value. Horticulture Research, 5, 47. (doi: 10.1038/s41438-018-0049-7) (PMID:30181887) (PMCID:PMC6119199)

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Abstract

The plasticity of plant morphology has evolved to maximize reproductive fitness in response to prevailing environmental conditions. Leaf architecture elaborates to maximize light harvesting, while the transition to flowering can either be accelerated or delayed to improve an individual’s fitness. One of the most important environmental signals is light, with plants using light for both photosynthesis and as an environmental signal. Plants perceive different wavelengths of light using distinct photoreceptors. Recent advances in LED technology now enable light quality to be manipulated at a commercial scale, and as such opportunities now exist to take advantage of plants’ developmental plasticity to enhance crop yield and quality through precise manipulation of a crops’ lighting regime. This review will discuss how plants perceive and respond to light, and consider how these specific signaling pathways can be manipulated to improve crop yield and quality.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The author thanks the University of Essex for funding this work.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Jones, Dr Matt
Authors: Jones, M. A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
Journal Name:Horticulture Research
Publisher:Springer Nature
ISSN:2052-7276
ISSN (Online):2052-7276
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 The Author
First Published:First published in Horticulture Research 5: 47
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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