Abstract
Light-emitting diodes (LED) can provide large fluxes of red photons and so could be used to make lightweight, efficient lighting systems for photosynthetic research. We compared photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and isoprene emission (a sensitive indicator of ATP status) from leaves of kudzu (Pueraria lobata (Willd) Ohwi.) enclosed in a leaf chamber illuminated by LEDs versus by a xenon arc lamp. Stomatal conductance was measured to determine if red LED light could sufficiently open stomata. The LEDs produced an even field of red light (peak emission 656±5 nm) over the range of 0–1500 μmol m-2 s-1. Under ambient CO2 the photosynthetic response to red light deviated slightly from the response measured in white light and stomatal conductance followed a similar pattern. Isoprene emission also increased with light similar to photosynthesis in white light and red light. The response of photosynthesis to CO2 was similar under the LED and xenon arc lamps at equal photosynthetic irradiance of 1000 μmol m-2 s-1. There was no statistical difference between the white light and red light measurements in high CO2. Some leaves exhibited feedback inhibition of photosynthesis which was equally evident under irradiation of either lamp type. Photosynthesis research including electron transport, carbon metabolism and trace gas emission studies should benefit greatly from the increased reliability, repeatability and portability of a photosynthesis lamp based on light-emitting diodes.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Barta DJ, Tibbitts TW, Bula RJ and Morrow RC (1992) Evaluation of light-emitting diode characteristics for a space-based plant irradiation source. Adv Space Res 12(5): 141–149
Bula RJ, Murrow RC, Tibbitts TW and Barta DJ (1991) Light-emitting diodes as a radiation source for plants. HortScience 26(2): 203–205
Farquhar GD and Sharkey TD (1982) Stomatal conductance and photosynthesis. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 33: 317–345
Hoagland DR and Arnon DI (1938) The water culture method for growing plants without soil. Berkley, UC Agric Exp Sta Circular 347
Hoenecke ME, Bula RJ and Tibbitts TW (1992) Importance of ‘blue’ photon levels for lettuce seedlings grown under red-light-emitting diodes. Hort Science 27(5): 427–430
Ignatius RW and Martin TS (1992) Array for monochrome optoelectronic devices that produce irradiant energy. US Pat Application 07/936,570
Loreto F and Sharkey TD (1993) On the relationship between isoprene emission and photosynthetic metabolites under different environmental conditions. Planta 189: 420–424
Sharkey TD (1990) Feedback limitation of photosynthesis and the physiological role of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase carbamylation. Bot Mag Tokyo special issue 2: 87–105
Sharkey TD and Raschke K (1981) Effect of light quality on stomatal opening in leaves of Xanthium strumarium L. Plant Physiol 68: 1170–1174
Steranka FM, DeFevere DC, Camras MD, Tu CW, McElfresh DK, Rudaz SL, Cook WL and Snyder WL (1988) Red AlGaAs light-emitting diodes. Hewlett-Packard Journal August: 84–88
Von Caemmerer S and Farquhar GD (1981) Some relationships between the biochemistry of photosynthesis and the gas exchange of leaves. Planta 153: 376–387
Wickliff JL and Wickliff DE (1991) Instrumentation for measuring in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence induction. J Chem Ed 68: 963–965
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tennessen, D.J., Singsaas, E.L. & Sharkey, T.D. Light-emitting diodes as a light source for photosynthesis research. Photosynth Res 39, 85–92 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00027146
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00027146