We all know that for plants to thrive, grow lights must emit particular light wavelengths. Your plants may undertake photosynthesis with the aid of a wide spectrum of colors, including red wavelengths for blooming, blue wavelengths for vegging, and so on.
Ultraviolet light is one of the light waves that is hotly debated in the expanding globe. Some argue that UV lamps make little effect, while others assert that UVs can enhance a plant's inherent aromas and smells more than they would be without them.
The reality is that UV light can help your grow space, but only if you know how to use it. To assist you decide if UVs would be a suitable fit for your landscape, we have broken down UVs.
Describe UV light.
On the light spectrum, ultraviolet light has a wavelength between 10 and 400 nanometers that is invisible to the human eye.
There are four main forms of UV light that we are aware of, but only two of them can be used in a grow chamber since they are too strong to be used on Earth. To determine if either of the two types of usable UV light would be helpful in your grow room, it is vital to understand how they vary from one another:
Ray-index graph
UV-A light (between 320 and 400 nanometers): Grow lights and lamps both make use of this light. This light can be seen by many birds and a very tiny percentage of people (those with disorders that damage their optic lens).
Although UV-B radiation, which has a wavelength between 290 and 320 nanometers, may not always be healthy for people to be exposed to, the bulk of this light is absorbed by oxygen before it reaches the earth's surface.
Some grow lights, such as HIDs and T5 grow lights, naturally emit UV-A light through a chemical reaction. To make up for their lack of UV, LEDs can be constructed with specialized UV-B bulbs or diodes.
UV-A and UV-B's Impact on Plants
Now that you are aware of what a UV wavelength is, let's discuss how it affects plants. People that utilize grow lights with UVs assert that they are more adaptable, produce higher-quality harvests, better colors, and smells and fragrances. But is that actually true?
Let's examine how a UV wavelength can impact a plant to determine whether or not it is true.
More rapid photosynthesis
It has been demonstrated that ultraviolet light aids in accelerating photosynthesis and promotes greater plant development.
According to a study that appeared in the peer-reviewed journal Oecologia, UV-A light exposure improved photosynthesis by 12%. Another study indicated that UV-A light enhanced leaf size, dry weight, and growth potential. This study was also published in Scientia Horticulturae.
Giving your plants a broad spectrum of light that includes UV light can undoubtedly assist if you want to increase the crops they produce.
Increased Production of Resin
The production of resin by plants, which boosts flavonoids and terpenes in your plants, is aided by ultraviolet light. Terpenes give plants their flavor and fragrance, whereas flavonoids are in charge of certain plants' rich, vivid hues.
Whenever a plant is exposed to a strong UV wavelength, the plant reacts by making resin. Resin is a shield that prevents fungus, insects, infections, and other health threats from harming plants or causing them to lose water.
Increased Flavor and Aroma – When resin is secreted, flavonoids and terpenes are released, which results in a more flavorful and aromatic harvest. Because of this, you may make plants produce more resins and release richer flavors by applying UV to them.
Increased Resin indicates Increased Protection Against Pests — The increase of resin caused by ultraviolet radiation indicates increased defense against pests and illnesses. Your plants are on their way to dream harvests when they aren't being devoured by bugs or struggling to recover from a foreign ailment.
Increased Root Production – Roots can receive UV light, and even brief exposure aids in boosting root mass. When the time comes to shift plants into brighter lighting or from indoors to outside (and vice versa), this will be helpful. When planted in a new environment, they won't have to develop stronger roots, increasing their capacity to flourish.
Bleaching
Your plants will suffer if a UV light is too bright or placed too close to them. Your plants will get bleached as a result of excessive UV exposure.
Overexposure to a UV wavelength makes matters even worse when it comes to bleaching, which happens when a plant's cells are exposed to too much light and get damaged and discolored. As a result of the leaves' inability to absorb light, bleaching causes stunted development and a meager yield.
Terpenes and flavenoids are both severely harmed by excessive UV exposure. Fruits and buds that are bleached by excessive light might lose flavor and aroma even if your leaves are unaffected.
