 Solar Radiation

 The Atmosphere as Filter and Reflector

 The Ecological Significance of Light on
Earth
 Characteristics of Visible Light Exposure
 Determinant of Variations in the Light
Environment
 Other Forms of Response to Light
 Managing The Light Environment in
Agroecosystem
Energy in the form of
Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)
that produces a visual sensation
Photosynthetic & Visible Light

Far-red
 Ultraviolet Light
 Photosynthetically Active Radiation
(PAR)
 Infrared Light
 Quantity (Intensity)
› photosynthesis

 Quality (Wavelength - Color)

› photomorphogenesis

 Duration
› photoperiodism
Intensity Directly Effects:
1. Photosynthesis
 plants are photon “counters”-
photosynthetic yield is directly related to
photons absorbed
CO2 + H2O + Light Energy 
(CH2O)n +H2O + O2
2. Height (Growth)
3. Flowering (Developmen)
 Intensity provides energy for photosynthesis
The rate of photosynthesis is affected by the
availability of water, CO2 and sunlight.
 Controls Photomorphogenesis (plant
development and form)

 Mediated by phytochrome (protein

pigment)
› red light absorbing form (Pr)
› FR light absorbing form (Pfr)
› Forms are photoinconvertible, depending on
the which type of light is absorbed
As a result of seasonal changes in
daylength, plants have evolved systems
to ensure viability of seeds:
- protection before winter
- coincide with the rainy/ dry seasons

Photoperiodism - plant ability to detect

and respond to day length
 Short Day Plant (SDP) - flower when the
day length is less than the Critical Day
Length

 Long Day Plant (LDP)- flower when the

day length is greater than the Critical
Day Length

 Day Neutral- flower without respect to

day length
 Plant types:
• Short-day: Poinsettia and
Chrysanthemums require special time
periods of light to initiate the blooming
cycle
• Long-day: Azaleas can be forced to
bloom sooner by adding light
• Day-neutral: Dandelions can initiate
flowers under any day length
 We can control light and influence blooming or
vegetative growth by:
• Shortening day with blackcloth: covering the growing
plant with an opaque cover to exclude light.
• Lengthening day with artificial light: adding light in
the evening [DARK] hours.
 Seasonality
 Latitude
 Altitude
 Topography
 Air Quality
 Vegetation Canopy Structure
 Germination

 Growth and Development

- Establishment
- Plant Growth
- Phototropism
- Photoperiod

 Production of the Harvestable Portion of the Plant

• Phototropism: the tendency for plants to “lean” [be
in sloping position] in the direction of the greatest
light intensity.
 1. Longer internodes, increased stem
elongation
2. Leaves have larger surface area
3. Thinner leaves and stems
4. Thinner cuticle
5. One layer of palisade cells
All are adaptations to maximize
photosynthesis
 Crop Selection
 Cropping Diversity and Canopy
Structure
 Temporal Management
 Carbon Partitioning and Sustainability