Effective methodologies to define the optimal LED spectrum for maximizing growth across the full cultivation cycle

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the future work and conclusions and future-work section and abstract of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2025 and 2026, spanning 4 journals. Those papers have been cited 15 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 4 representative gaps

• Current status of lettuce production in soilless culture: environmental conditions (2026) · Frontiers in Horticulture · cited 2× · doi

  This review synthesized recent literature on the application of LED lighting (2012–2025) and other key environmental factors (2017–2025) in lettuce cultivation under controlled environments. The effects of LED light intensity, spectral quality, photoperiod, and light direction were critically evaluated alongside temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration, and air velocity. Overall, the evidence indicates that combining red (R) and blue (B) light in proportions of approximately 75–80% R and 20–25% B, −1 and a delivered at a light intensity of 250–300 µmol m photoperiod of 16–20 h (adjusted according to light intensity), −2 s

  generalfuture work
  Keywords: light intensity photoperiod review synthesized recent literature application lighting environmental factors lettuce cultivation controlled environments
• Determining the Effect of Water Consumption and Different Photosynthetic Photon Flux Densities on Yield of Lettuce Grown in a Hydroponic System (2026) · Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology · doi

  The interaction between PPFD, photoperiod, and light spectrum should be investigated to improve energy-use efficiency and crop productivity. The highest yield was obtained under PPFD320, while plants grown under PPFD160 exhibited etiolation symptoms, indicating that 160 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ was insufficient for optimal lettuce production.

  generalconclusions
  Keywords: ppfd interaction photoperiod light spectrum investigated improve energy efficiency crop productivity highest yield obtained plants
• Extended photoperiod improves growth and nutritional quality of pak choi under constant daily light integral (2025) · Frontiers in Plant Science · cited 12× · doi

  Exploring alternative light strategies, such as shorter photoperiods with higher PPFD or continuous photoperiod with low-intensity light. Investigating the effects of different light spectra on plant growth and nutritional quality. Examining the impact of temperature and humidity on plant growth and nutritional quality under different light conditions.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: exploring alternative light strategies shorter photoperiods higher ppfd
• Influence of continuous and pulsed light on the yield and phytochemical composition of Capsicum annuum L. cv. ‘Padrón’ (2025) · Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture · cited 1× · doi

  However, effective methodologies to define the optimal LED spectrum for maximizing growth across the full cultivation cycle - from seedling to fruit production - under controlled photoperiod conditions (14 h light/10 h dark) with pulsed lighting are lacking.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: effective methodologies define optimal spectrum maximizing growth across full cultivation cycle seedling fruit production controlled

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