Light emitting diode and its application in pre and postharvest horticulture : A Review

Abstract

Natural light is imperative for the growth and development of plants. Nevertheless, spectrum of natural light is inadequate to meet the requirement of crops. Artificial lighting system by use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) could be adopted in horticulture in closed chambers, in greenhouses, in open fields, before pre-harvest until post-harvest storage in controlled environment. Various beneficial and physical properties of LEDs make it convenient for revolutionizing crop cultivation even in earth and on space. Selection of appropriate LED light could boost crop production, improve colour in ornamental plants, enhance phytochemical and nutrient contents, regulate flowering, induce or delay ripening, delay senescence, reduce microbial growth and tremendously improve crop production and preservation in the non-chemical way safe for consumption. LED light in combination with different colours and alteration of wavelength could lead to revolution of horticulture technology in producing super food microgreens and other vegetables possessing desired qualitative and quantitative traits. This innovative and futuristic advancement can be exploited to feed salubrious horticultural crops to the burgeoning population on land and off land. Monochromatic light and combination of LED lights can be employed in cold storage for preventing crop spoilage while enhancing various qualitative traits. Though previous researches have reported numerous benefits of LEDs still there is a vast scope for breakthrough novel inventions which could ameliorate LED lighting to an enormous extend.