What is the Emerson Effect and how does it influence plants?

The Emerson Effect is a photobiological phenomenon discovered in the 1950s by scientist Robert Emerson. This effect demonstrates that the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants can be significantly increased when they are exposed simultaneously to two different light wavelengths. To learn more about what the Emerson Effect is and how it can influence plants, here’s everything you need to know.

What is the Emerson Effect?

The Emerson Effect refers to the impact that different light wavelengths have on the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants. Specifically, it’s observed that the rate of photosynthesis increases when chloroplasts are simultaneously exposed to light wavelengths of 680 nm and over 680 nm, corresponding to the deep red and far-red spectra, respectively.

Types of light spectrum affecting cannabis cultivation

Various light spectrum can affect cannabis cultivation differently:

– Infrared (800 nm – 1 mm): Common in older lighting systems like High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) or Metal Halide (MH), but less efficient compared to Light Emitting Ceramic (LEC) and LED technologies. While infrared doesn’t provide usable energy for cannabis plants and only generates heat, it can benefit some metabolic processes.

– Far-Red Light Spectrum (700 – 800 nm): Doesn’t directly participate in photosynthesis but improves plant structure by preventing excessive stretching of stems and leaves, useful for controlling spindliness.

– Near Red (600 – 700 nm): Vital for biomass production, with 660 nm diodes noted for their efficiency.

– Green/Yellow Light (500 – 600 nm): Beneficial for photosynthesis without altering the vegetative cycle, known for its ability to penetrate lower plant layers despite limitations.

– Blue Light (400 – 500 nm): Encourages compact and robust plants, but may negatively influence human circadian rhythms.

– Ultraviolet Light (400 – 10 nm): Plays a minor role in photosynthesis but contributes to resin production and pest control, with effects varying by species.

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History and discovery

The phenomenon was discovered by American scientist Robert Emerson in the 1950s. Through his experiments, Emerson showed that plants exposed to both wavelengths regularly performed photosynthesis at a much higher rate than the sum of the effects separately, laying a fundamental foundation in botanical and agronomic sciences.

Traditionally, it was thought that only the wavelength of approximately 680 nm was optimal for activating photosystem II, a crucial component in the photosynthetic process.

What are the benefits of the Emerson Effect?

However, the Emerson Effect revealed that adding light of a wavelength of around 700 nm, in conjunction with 680 nm, results in an increase in the rate of photosynthesis. This is due to the simultaneous activation of two separate photosystems affecting the same:

• PSI: with a spectrum that is between 700 and 730 nm (far red)
• PSII: between 650-680 nm (red)

These are impulses in which light energy is converted into chemical energy, to be used in the plant’s internal processes favoring photosynthesis. This facilitates an additional route for electron transport, improving the overall use of light energy.

How does it affect cultivation?

This knowledge has had significant applications in agriculture, especially in the development of more efficient artificial lighting methods to optimize plant growth and agricultural production.

The effect on plants translates into:

• Improved growth and yield. 
• By better understanding how plants use light for photosynthesis, growers can adjust light spectra to enhance the photosynthetic capacity of plants, thus favoring greater biomass production and acceleration in cultivation cycles.

How does this effect affect photosynthesis?

Before proceeding, it’s necessary to know about plant physiology, vital processes, and how plants adapt to their environment, as well as how the Emerson Effect can affect the same.

Photosynthesis and energy flow

Photosynthesis is the mechanism by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy. Light, particularly at specific wavelengths, is crucial for activating photosynthetic pigments. Indeed, chloroplasts absorb this light energy, which is transformed into chemical energy to synthesize carbohydrates.

The Emerson Effect maximizes photosynthesis when plants are exposed to both short wave (680 nm) and long wave (over 700 nm) light at the same time. This can improve artificial lighting technologies for agriculture.

Applications in crop cultivation and horticulture

In horticulture and plant cultivation, the practical application of the Emerson Effect can influence the cultivation cycle and improve yields. Farmers and horticulturists use this information to fine-tune LED lighting systems that support more efficient photosynthesis, thus ensuring that plants grow healthier and more vigorous. Moreover, it positively impacts out-of-season crop production and the use of more sustainable resources.

Recent research

Recent research has shed light on the detailed mechanisms of the Emerson Effect and its potential practical applications in modern agriculture and biotechnology.

Advances in plant biochemistry

Recent studies in plant biochemistry have allowed for a clearer deciphering of how plants use different light wavelengths to optimize photosynthesis. This knowledge is crucial for developing advanced cultivation techniques that can more efficiently simulate the light spectra beneficial to plants.

Emerson effect and biotechnology

Biotechnology directly benefits from research on the Emerson Effect, introducing innovations in plant genetic engineering. Varieties have been developed that show an improved response to deep red light, translating into increased photosynthetic efficiency and potentially better crop yields.

Understanding the Emerson Effect can enhance crops and is driving improvements in the design of LED lighting systems for precision agriculture, focused on specific light spectra that activate photosynthesis more effectively.