Far-red: The Forgotten Photons

In this video, Dr. Bruce Bugbee reviews recent research on the powerful effect of far-red photons on plant growth and development. The summary includes the evidence for the direct value of far-red photons in photosynthesis as well as their value in promoting leaf expansion rate in lettuce. The evidence indicates that we need to redefine photosynthetic photons to include wavelengths beyond 700 nm. The availability of efficient far-red emitting LEDs means that there are immediate commercial applications of this research for indoor agriculture.

VIDEO CONTENT

03:22 Far-red photons are right on the edge of visible light - 700-760 nm.

04:02 We typically break up light into three categories: blue, green, and red.

04:45 A story on Dr. Shuyang Zhen's research with four growth chambers measuring canopy photosynthesis with different lights.

06:06 The results of the study are opposite from what you would assume because of adding far-red photons.

07:53 Do white lights grow plants equally well compared to red/blue lights?

09:49 A summary of the spectral effects of different colors of light: blue photons, green photons, red photons, and far-red photons.

10:50 Bright white light is excellent for human vision to diagnose plant health to find insects, nutritional disorders, etc.

12:36 How well different colors of photons penetrate leaves.

13:33 Why did adding far-red light cause better growth in Dr. Zhen's study?

14:32 A history of the classic PAR curve from Keith McCree's research. McCree only had primitive tools to develop his curve. He had to measure each color of light separately. We have better LEDs and better tools to measure light and combinations of lights now.

15:47 A diagram of what happens with photons in the light reactions of photosynthesis.

17:53 Far-red photons all by themselves are not effective. But they work extremely well synergistically with all the other colors of photons.

18:26 There's a law that relates to photosynthesis, solar panels, and human vision: The Stark-Einstein Law. One photon excites one electron.

19:35 Is our definition of photosynthetic photons correct?

21:12 The effect of far-red happens in every plant species is the same. Far-red photons are equally valuable as the other photons.

21:53 The commercial implications.

23:03 The response of plants to shade/far-red and the effect on plant shape.

26:59 Historically, we have quantum sensors to measure PAR, but they don't measure far-red. You need an Apogee PAR-FAR sensor that separately measures PAR and far-red photons.

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[Rando-ygjf]

I wish I could thank you all personally for your work and dedication. Thank you professor B, Shuyang Z, and Paul K for your research. It’s greatly appreciated.

[skankhunt]

To me personally, it's incredible how fast this knowledge from a few years ago, has already been implemented into modern grow lights, which are also getting cheaper by generation!!
Thanks to ANY proper scientist in this world ❤

[letsgrowtogether]

As said before by others it would be greatly appreciated if there could be a cheaper model for us at home growers. Not that your companies prices are outrageous but they are outta reach for most small time home growers just starting out or even the hobby growers who still want to do it right. You are the best and that's why we ask, of course we could buy from inexperienced companies who just wanna make a buck but have no quality because they wouldn't even know how to make a quality product but that's why many like myself wish you could help. Know you need to make a profit so maybe just a cellphone connection or app, or cheaper quality device but still with Dr. B's approval so all are happy. Know I should just save up but it's truly hard RN. Thank you tho as always and it's very appreciated that you took so many years learning than kind enough to share so much knowledge. The fact that you give props to everyone along the way shows great character as week. You're a great man Dr

[niltoncometti]

Congratulations, Professor Bruce. You were my phD advisor and I see you're still brilliant as usual.

[elgriego]

Please, Dr Bugbee, make the sensors a little cheaper as we are millions of micro growers around the world that we would love to have Apogee Par and light spectrum sensors but they are expensive. Help Apogee "lift off" (pun intended if someone knows the meaning of the word) and become the only name among growers as your instruments are scientifically calibrated and therefore give accurate results that can be used for comparisons and benchmarks. Greetings from Greece!!!!

[silversobe]

True science is always in revision and reconsideration. Science is never settled as much as some would like it to be. Great video!

[Rizafoolwitit]

I've watched this a few times over the past few years. To you and all contributees of accelerated plant growth, you are doing extraordinary things. Tell us how to clean our tap water next? We know, you know..😅

[HugoJanKanAl]

Incredible. I was taught photobiology using the old handbook. Many thanks for the update, Bruce.
Very clear overview of the testing methodology, results and implications.

[bryansiepert]

That photosystem infographic is amazing! So succinct and intuitive to understand

[atimoti]

Horticulture is such a small field, I never expected to see Paul being mentioned! I was in undergrad with him

[LGW-Orchids-Exotics]

This is a great educational video! Many parts intrigue me! I'm now curious about nutrition density. Take for example the lettuce exposed w/wo far-red photons. The far-red exposure grows larger, but it may also not be as nutritious. I have read and heard of other studies on blueberries, strawberries, etc. (now versus 50 years ago) and how sizes have increased, but nutritional densities have decreased significantly (obviously some factors like over-farming, soil nutrient depletion, ultimately under fertilizing contribute - who knows...). I guess one would also have to consider a plant has a theoretical limit of growth versus time + far-red exposure - that even if more fertilizer was supplied to assumingly keep up with growing demand, there may still be some nutrient density depletion. Super interesting to ponder!

[luizz_k]

So invaluable, can't help but get excited for what is to come. 🙏 Greets from Guatemala 👍

[geomundi]

Wow some great research based presentations; this whole series is pure gold. I love that you explore each paper and their methods, such as using a single color of light at a time to study PAR and the flaws etc. Could watch these all day again again, may things I've hypothesized about are covered in these lectures.

[gabrielcanela]

Thank you professor Bruce.
Your research just arrives in Brazil, and I’m so grateful to learn more about !

[skflex]

Thank you so much for letting me understand stuff about lights and the effects of differences you are really appreciated over here!! :D

[davidgdraper]

Hi Bruce,

Could you get Apogee to make an entry level meter for those of us setting up indoor grow setups. Most of us can’t drop $585 to adjust our lighting when growing, during cold/dark months. $585 is almost as expensive as buying 2 x 550w Shenzhen Quantum Boards.

I picked up a Lux meter, but that just gives me basics.

All of this is very interesting for those of us that love to grow, especially our own medications. We will be sure that growing and harvest are done right.

I don’t know anybody with an Apogee unit, but we would all drop $250, in order to get the proper setups during each grow.

[spicy]

If you want a hit video, make a perfect spectrum and PPFD recommendation for different ftxft areas FOR Cannabis, because there are huge online communities all debating over this topic and you have the means and evidence to give a very good answer. There are a lot of companies offering custom LED chip setups and your recommendation would definitely help a lot of people and give people a bit of courage to try it and then we could end up with a lot of free research out there.

[richardlemke]

Dr Bugbee drops a Pink Floyd reference right out of the gate, we know what he was doing in college... Love the vids Bruce

[keithmanfredi]

7:46 "So what's up with that?" I love that.
Great science work. I, and many, are looking forward to getting some far red for our cannabis girls :)

[danielleharrison]

Thank you for such an educational video. I had no previous knowledge on the subject, your clear explanations and visuals, especially your photosystem diagram made it easy to follow along.