Recent research published in Frontiers in Plant Science examines how different light spectra influence the growth and metabolite accumulation in medical cannabis. The study compared various light spectra and intensities, finding that a dual-red-peak spectrum (640 and 660 nm) out-performed single-red-peak and no-red-peak spectra in both yield and quality. Two red peaks significantly enhanced inflorescence weight, plant dry matter production, and at higher light intensities, increased terpenes as well.

Black Dog LED lights have always had a dual-red-peak spectrum, from our inception over 14 years ago. We found it helps increase both yield and quality, as this new research shows.

The research shows that a dual-red-peak spectrum improves light capture and utilization by plants- a higher total light use efficiency- at all studied intensity levels. This spectrum significantly increased inflorescence weight as well as total plant biomass, despite the light having a lower electrical efficiency (PPE, typically expressed in μmol/J).

Enhanced Growth and Yield: The research shows that a spectrum with dual red peaks significantly increased inflorescence weight and plant biomass. This spectrum improved light capture and utilization by the plants, showing a higher total light use efficiency.

Increased Metabolite Concentration: At higher light intensities, the dual-red-peak spectrum boosted terpenoid concentrations, enhancing the medicinal value of the cannabis. This is particularly beneficial for growers aiming to produce high-quality cannabis with potent therapeutic properties.

Optimized Light Use Efficiency: The inclusion of both 640 nm and 660 nm red wavelengths in the spectrum increased the plants' total light use efficiency, despite the light fixture itself having a lower electrical efficiency (PPE, typically expressed in μmol/J). This demonstrates that spectrally-targeting specific wavelengths is better than just producing more photons, something that Black Dog LED has been perfecting since 2010.

Black Dog LED lights include many other targeted spectrum peaks, which this study unfortunately did not look at. 730nm infrared has been shown to increase photosynthetic efficiency and total yield, known as the "Emerson Effect". Ultraviolet increases terpene and anthocyanin production, while growing more compact, disease- and pest-resistant plants. While these other targeted peaks were not examined in this study, previous research studies have demonstrated their worth- and they are also included in every Black Dog light.

Any grower interested in learning more about this study, and how spectrum can affect the success of their commercial grow can listen to the episode of the Cultivation Cast podcast where we discuss dual-red-peak spectrum research. This episode takes a deep dive into the research and its findings.

Conclusion

The findings from this research underline the importance of selecting the right light spectrum for cannabis cultivation. Black Dog LED's grow lights' spectrum includes the dual red peaks shown to be superior by this study, but also includes other targeted peaks shown by other scientific studies to increase yield and quality. Black Dog's broad but targeted spectrum design provides an optimal solution that aligns with scientific evidence to maximize yield, quality, and total light use efficiency in medical cannabis production.

For more information on the study, visit the Frontiers in Plant Science article: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1393803/full.

Or, read more details on Black Dog LED's unique and proprietary spectrum technology.