technically speaking

Problems with Foot-candles, Lux By Erik Runkle and Bruce Bugbee and Lumens

here are three ways to describe inten- best way to predict photosynthesis. The number of pho- sity, but only one of them is appropriate tons in the photosynthetic waveband (400 to 700 nm) for photosynthesis. Increasing use of light- is typically reported as micromoles per square meter and emitting diodes (LEDs) means that the , or µmol·m-2·s-1. This system considers all colors appropriate unit for light measurement is of light equally and is the most appropriate way to mea- moreT important than ever. Although light quality and sure light intensity for photosynthesis and plant growth. timing are powerful tools for altering plant shape, light Measuring moles of photons is not biased toward human intensity provides the horsepower to drive photosynthesis. vision; in fact, an intensity of deep blue and deep red light Photometric: Foot-candles and lux. These units that appears dim to us can be bright light for plants. of measurement are based on the perceived to Measuring light intensity in foot-candles or lux the human eye. Our eyes perceive green and yellow light is especially unsuitable when using LEDs for plant much better than blue or red light, so this measurement growth. Blue and red LEDs are most often used for system is completely biased toward people and is not plant because: appropriate for plants. Since most lighting applications 1. They are the most energy-efficient colors of LEDs are for people, this system is used by lighting professionals 2. They are considered to be more photosynthetically and utility companies, who usually optimize lighting for efficient than green or white light people. Therefore, the efficiency of lamps is almost always 3. The addition of 10 to 20 percent blue light to red reported as the , which is the number of light produces a more “normal” plant shape; most plants lumens per of energy. (One per square meter grown under only red light are elongated. Table 1. Comparison equals one lux, and there are 10.8 lux per foot-candle.) However, since we don’t perceive either blue or red light of the photosynthetic Radiometric: . This unit is used to deter- as well as green and yellow light, the luminous output of photon efficiency (for mine the energy input and output of lighting applica- blue and red LEDs is low and they look dim (Table 1). plants) and the luminous tions. It describes the power of light that a light source Don’t let your eyes mislead you; lamps that emit these efficiency (for people) of emits or consumes. The light energy increases as wave- wavelengths can deliver bright light for plants. length decreases, so it takes more energy to make blue There is an even more dramatic difference in mea- four light sources. Metrics light than red light. Thus, this measurement system is suring horticultural lighting in lumens/foot-candles/lux based on lumens (lux based on power and is used to predict the heating value of versus µmol·m-2·s-1 when delivering far-red light. To us, and foot-candles) are light. It is not specific to plants or people. far-red light (around 730 nm) is barely perceptible yet it highly misleading and Quantum: Moles of photons. The Stark-Einstein is necessary for photoperiod extension lighting of some inappropriate for plant Law tells us that one photon excites one electron in pho- crops. This difference is apparent with both incandescent applications. tosynthesis, regardless of color, so counting photons is the lamps and far-red LEDs; their luminous output is low compared with their output in photons. Photon Luminous For these reasons, the horticultural industry should Light source efficiency efficiency discontinue use of photometric units such as lumens, (µmol • J-1) (lm • W-1) lux and foot-candles. These units are based on people’s perception of light and are a highly misleading indicator of plant growth and flowering applications. We need to Cool-white fluorescent 1.2 90 work with lighting professionals and utility companies to develop and adapt plant lighting standards based on pho- g High-pressure sodium 1.6 130 tons and not lumens.

Erik Runkle is associate professor and floriculture Blue LEDs (peak=455 nm) 1.8 47 extension specialist in Michigan State University’s department of horticulture. Bruce Bugbee is a professor of crop physiology at Utah State University. Red LEDs (peak=655 nm) 1.7 17 Erik can be reached at [email protected] or Bruce can be reached at [email protected].

78 | gpn | SEPTEMBER 2013 | www.gpnmag.com