How to Grow Better: Leveraging the Emerson Enhancement Effect with LED Grow Lights
How to Grow Better: Leveraging the Emerson Enhancement Effect with LED Grow Lights
How to Grow Better: Leveraging the Emerson Enhancement Effect with LED Grow Lights
In the realm of indoor gardening and commercial horticulture, understanding and utilizing the Emerson Enhancement Effect can efficiently boost plant growth and yield. LED grow lights have become increasingly popular due to their efficiency, longevity and the precise control they offer over plant growth. To fully benefit from these advantages, it's essential to understand how the Emerson Enhancement Effect can be harnessed to optimize your lighting strategy. Active Grow, leveraging years of testing, offers insights into how this phenomenon can help you achieve flourishing growth.
Historical Background & Mechanism
The Emerson Enhancement Effect was first described by Robert Emerson in 1957. He discovered that exposing plants to light wavelengths greater than 680 nm activated only one photosystem (PS1), leading to ATP formation alone. Conversely, light wavelengths shorter than 680 nm resulted in low photosynthesis rates. When both wavelength ranges were applied simultaneously, the efficiency of photosynthesis increased significantly. This discovery was pivotal in identifying the dual photosystem mechanism in plants.
Emerson's experiments demonstrated that chlorophyll molecules, the green pigments in plants, absorb light most effectively in the red and blue wavelengths. By exciting chlorophyll molecules at the reaction center with both short and long wavelengths, energy is transported through a chain of electron carriers, enhancing overall photosynthetic efficiency.
The Basics
The Emerson Enhancement Effect is the increase in the rate of photosynthesis when plants are simultaneously exposed to light of wavelengths 660-680 nm (deep-red spectrum) and more than 680 nm (far-red spectrum). When both deep-red and far-red light are used together, the rate of photosynthesis is significantly higher than the sum of the rates when these lights are used individually.
Photosynthesis Efficiency
By stimulating the absorption of light energy, the Emerson Enhancement Effect increases the conversion of light into chemical energy, essential for plant growth and survival. This effect highlights the cooperation between the PS1 and PS2 photosystems, which are crucial for efficient photosynthesis.
Optimal Light Utilization
This Emerson Enhancement Effect helps plants utilize light more effectively, enabling them to grow more efficiently and produce more biomass. Utilizing both wavelengths ensures that both photosystems are working in tandem, enhancing overall plant growth.
Image from Paul Kusuma and Dr. Bruce Bugbee, Director of the Crop Physiology Lab at Utah State University. Watch “Far-red: The Forgotten Photons” to learn more about his research.
Enhanced Plant Health & Resilience
Plants exposed to the Emerson Enhancement Effect exhibit improved health and resilience. This makes them more resistant to environmental stressors like drought, heat and disease, leading to healthier plants that can maintain productivity under various conditions.
Higher Yields
One of the most notable benefits is the increase in plant yield. By improving the conversion of light energy into biomass, plants can produce more fruits, vegetables or flowers, making this effect particularly advantageous for commercial growers.
Image from Paul Kusuma and Dr. Bruce Bugbee, Director of the Crop Physiology Lab at Utah State University. Watch “Far-red: The Forgotten Photons” to learn more about his research.
Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Implementing the Emerson Enhancement Effect with LED grow lights contributes to more sustainable agriculture practices. It reduces the energy needed to produce crops and improves the efficiency of food production, benefiting both the environment and operational costs.
Active Grow's Expertise
Since 2013, Active Grow has been at the forefront of testing the effects of deep red and far red light on plants to create the Emerson Enhancement Effect. We have observed positive outcomes in various plant species at different growth stages. Our LED grow lights are designed with multiple spectrums, including additional far-red light, to harness this natural plant reaction. Depending on your growing goals, our tailored spectrums ensure that your plants receive the optimal wavelengths necessary for maximizing growth and yield.
Understanding and applying the Emerson Enhancement Effect can significantly enhance your growing operation. Whether you're a hobbyist or a commercial grower, LED grow lights equipped with the right features and used knowledgeably can lead to healthier plants, more bountiful yields and greater efficiency. By integrating this effect into your lighting strategy and leveraging the expertise of Active Grow, you'll not only grow better with LED lights but also maximize your investment in your grow setup.