Optimizing LED lighting spectra for enhanced growth in controlled-environment vertical farms
Abstract Due to growing demands for sustainable food production, controlled-environment vertical farms (CEVFs) have emerged as promising systems for cultivating vegetables and herbs in urban areas. However, these systems are often criticized for their high energy consumption, largely influenced by a...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15352-7 |
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| author | H. Farhangi V. Mozafari H. R. Roosta H. Shirani S. Farhangi M. Farhangi |
| author_facet | H. Farhangi V. Mozafari H. R. Roosta H. Shirani S. Farhangi M. Farhangi |
| author_sort | H. Farhangi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Due to growing demands for sustainable food production, controlled-environment vertical farms (CEVFs) have emerged as promising systems for cultivating vegetables and herbs in urban areas. However, these systems are often criticized for their high energy consumption, largely influenced by artificial lighting. This study aimed to optimize white LED-based lighting by supplementing it with additional deep red (DR, 660 nm) and far red (FR, 730 nm) light, evaluating effects on the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. Batavia-Caipira) and basil (Ocimum basilicum cv. Emily). Five treatments were tested, all using a white LED base spectrum (with blue, green, and red components), with varying levels of DR and FR. In one treatment, light intensity (PPFD) was doubled to 244 µmol·m⁻2·s⁻1, while others were maintained at 122 µmol·m⁻2·s⁻1. The high-PPFD treatment resulted in the highest biomass, increasing fresh weight by 76% in lettuce and 79% in basil compared to white light alone. Among the treatments with equal PPFD, supplemental FR increased leaf number and canopy size, while DR enhanced biomass. Chlorophyll and nitrogen contents were highest under white-only light. Correlation analysis showed that the intensity of added DR and FR significantly influenced plant responses. These results suggest targeted DR and FR supplementation improves light-use efficiency in CEVFs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-673fbd7ace3f41029ae5dde998b5429c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-673fbd7ace3f41029ae5dde998b5429c2025-08-20T03:07:26ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-15352-7Optimizing LED lighting spectra for enhanced growth in controlled-environment vertical farmsH. Farhangi0V. Mozafari1H. R. Roosta2H. Shirani3S. Farhangi4M. Farhangi5Department of Soil Science and Engineering, Vali-e-Asr University of RafsanjanDepartment of Soil Science and Engineering, Vali-e-Asr University of RafsanjanDepartment of Horticultural Sciences, Arak UniversityDepartment of Soil Science and Engineering, Vali-e-Asr University of RafsanjanVegger, BV.Sustainable Society - Life Cycle Management, IVL Swedish Environmental Research InstituteAbstract Due to growing demands for sustainable food production, controlled-environment vertical farms (CEVFs) have emerged as promising systems for cultivating vegetables and herbs in urban areas. However, these systems are often criticized for their high energy consumption, largely influenced by artificial lighting. This study aimed to optimize white LED-based lighting by supplementing it with additional deep red (DR, 660 nm) and far red (FR, 730 nm) light, evaluating effects on the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. Batavia-Caipira) and basil (Ocimum basilicum cv. Emily). Five treatments were tested, all using a white LED base spectrum (with blue, green, and red components), with varying levels of DR and FR. In one treatment, light intensity (PPFD) was doubled to 244 µmol·m⁻2·s⁻1, while others were maintained at 122 µmol·m⁻2·s⁻1. The high-PPFD treatment resulted in the highest biomass, increasing fresh weight by 76% in lettuce and 79% in basil compared to white light alone. Among the treatments with equal PPFD, supplemental FR increased leaf number and canopy size, while DR enhanced biomass. Chlorophyll and nitrogen contents were highest under white-only light. Correlation analysis showed that the intensity of added DR and FR significantly influenced plant responses. These results suggest targeted DR and FR supplementation improves light-use efficiency in CEVFs.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15352-7Controlled-environment vertical farmArtificial light sourceLight spectrumLight emitting diodes |
| spellingShingle | H. Farhangi V. Mozafari H. R. Roosta H. Shirani S. Farhangi M. Farhangi Optimizing LED lighting spectra for enhanced growth in controlled-environment vertical farms Scientific Reports Controlled-environment vertical farm Artificial light source Light spectrum Light emitting diodes |
| title | Optimizing LED lighting spectra for enhanced growth in controlled-environment vertical farms |
| title_full | Optimizing LED lighting spectra for enhanced growth in controlled-environment vertical farms |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing LED lighting spectra for enhanced growth in controlled-environment vertical farms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing LED lighting spectra for enhanced growth in controlled-environment vertical farms |
| title_short | Optimizing LED lighting spectra for enhanced growth in controlled-environment vertical farms |
| title_sort | optimizing led lighting spectra for enhanced growth in controlled environment vertical farms |
| topic | Controlled-environment vertical farm Artificial light source Light spectrum Light emitting diodes |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15352-7 |
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