A review on physiological aspect on light quality management in fruit crops

Abstract

Light is crucial for the growth and quality of horticultural plants, influencing photosynthesis and triggering photo morphogenesis and various physiological responses, with its effects determined by duration, intensity, and quality. Solar light varies greatly between seasons, causing stress in open-field crops during summer due to excess light, while greenhouses use supplementary lighting to address natural light deficiencies. In contrast, artificial lighting is the sole source in plant factories (PFALs) and nurseries, such as grafted seedling chambers. Advances in technologies like LEDs, heating and cooling systems, disinfection materials, and renewable energy have revolutionized controlled horticultural production. Efficiently managing light is essential for sustainability and profitability, as altering light quality significantly impacts fruit tree yield and quality. Sustainable practices, such as using reflective films and colored nets, are increasingly adopted by growers to manipulate light quality, reduce chemical usage, and optimize orchard productivity.