{"id":154946,"date":"2024-04-04T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/?p=154946"},"modified":"2024-07-31T09:12:17","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T07:12:17","slug":"what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Emerson Effect and how does it influence plants?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Emerson Effect is a photobiological phenomenon <strong>discovered in the 1950s by scientist Robert Emerson<\/strong>. This effect demonstrates that the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants can be significantly increased when they are exposed simultaneously to two different light wavelengths. To learn more about what the <strong>Emerson Effect<\/strong> is and how it can influence plants, here&#8217;s everything you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a512c8f32079\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contenido<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a512c8f32079\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/#What_is_the_Emerson_Effect\" >What is the Emerson Effect?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/#Types_of_light_spectrum_affecting_cannabis_cultivation\" >Types of light spectrum affecting cannabis cultivation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/#History_and_discovery\" >History and discovery<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/#What_are_the_benefits_of_the_Emerson_Effect\" >What are the benefits of the Emerson Effect?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/#How_does_it_affect_cultivation\" >How does it affect cultivation?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/#How_does_this_effect_affect_photosynthesis\" >How does this effect affect photosynthesis?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/#Photosynthesis_and_energy_flow\" >Photosynthesis and energy flow<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/#Applications_in_crop_cultivation_and_horticulture\" >Applications in crop cultivation and horticulture<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/#Recent_research\" >Recent research<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/#Advances_in_plant_biochemistry\" >Advances in plant biochemistry<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/#Emerson_effect_and_biotechnology\" >Emerson effect and biotechnology<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Emerson_Effect\"><\/span>What is the Emerson Effect?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Emerson Effect refers to the impact that different light wavelengths have on the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants. Specifically, it&#8217;s observed that the rate of photosynthesis increases when chloroplasts are simultaneously exposed to light wavelengths of 680 nm and over 680 nm, corresponding to the deep red and far-red spectra, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_light_spectrum_affecting_cannabis_cultivation\"><\/span>Types of light spectrum affecting cannabis cultivation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Various light spectrum can affect cannabis cultivation differently:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/efecto-emerson-como-funciona.jpg\" alt=\"Emerson Effect and how does it influence plants\" class=\"wp-image-154948\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/efecto-emerson-como-funciona.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/efecto-emerson-como-funciona-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/efecto-emerson-como-funciona-768x346.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Infrared (800 nm \u2013 1 mm):<\/strong> Common in older lighting systems like High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) or Metal Halide (MH), but less efficient compared to Light Emitting Ceramic (LEC) and LED technologies. While infrared doesn&#8217;t provide usable energy for cannabis plants and only generates heat, it can benefit some metabolic processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Far-Red Light Spectrum (700 \u2013 800 nm):<\/strong> Doesn&#8217;t directly participate in photosynthesis but improves plant structure by preventing excessive stretching of stems and leaves, useful for controlling spindliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Near Red (600 \u2013 700 nm):<\/strong> Vital for biomass production, with 660 nm diodes noted for their efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Green\/Yellow Light (500 \u2013 600 nm):<\/strong> Beneficial for photosynthesis without altering the vegetative cycle, known for its ability to penetrate lower plant layers despite limitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Blue Light (400 \u2013 500 nm):<\/strong> Encourages compact and robust plants, but may negatively influence human circadian rhythms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <strong>Ultraviolet Light (400 \u2013 10 nm):<\/strong> Plays a minor role in photosynthesis but contributes to resin production and pest control, with effects varying by species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[ppgbo products=&#8221;6885,5693,7144&#8243; language=&#8221;en&#8221;]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History_and_discovery\"><\/span>History and discovery<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The phenomenon was <strong>discovered by American scientist Robert Emerson in the 1950s.<\/strong> Through his experiments, Emerson showed that plants exposed to both wavelengths regularly performed photosynthesis at a <strong>much higher<\/strong> <strong>rate <\/strong>than the sum of the effects separately, laying a fundamental foundation in botanical and agronomic sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditionally, it was thought that only the wavelength of approximately 680 nm was optimal for activating photosystem II, a crucial component in the photosynthetic process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_benefits_of_the_Emerson_Effect\"><\/span>What are the benefits of the Emerson Effect?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the Emerson Effect revealed that adding light of a wavelength of around 700 nm, in conjunction with 680 nm, results in an increase in the rate of photosynthesis. This is due to the simultaneous activation of two separate photosystems affecting the same:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PSI: with a spectrum that is between 700 and 730 nm (far red)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PSII: between 650-680 nm (red)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These are impulses in which light energy is converted into chemical energy, to be used in the plant&#8217;s internal processes favoring photosynthesis. This facilitates an <strong>additional route<\/strong> for electron transport, improving the overall use of light energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_it_affect_cultivation\"><\/span>How does it affect cultivation?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This knowledge has had significant applications in agriculture, especially in the development of more efficient artificial lighting methods to optimize plant growth and agricultural production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The effect on plants translates into:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Improved growth and yield.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By better understanding how plants use light for photosynthesis, <strong>growers can adjust light spectra to enhance the photosynthetic capacity of<\/strong> <strong>plants<\/strong>, thus favoring greater biomass production and acceleration in <strong>cultivation cycles<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/que-es-el-efecto-emerson.jpg\" alt=\"what's the emerson effect\" class=\"wp-image-154953\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/que-es-el-efecto-emerson.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/que-es-el-efecto-emerson-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/que-es-el-efecto-emerson-768x346.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_does_this_effect_affect_photosynthesis\"><\/span>How does this effect affect photosynthesis?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before proceeding, it&#8217;s necessary to know about plant physiology, vital processes, and how <strong>plants adapt to their environment<\/strong>, as well as how the Emerson Effect can affect the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Photosynthesis_and_energy_flow\"><\/span>Photosynthesis and energy flow<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Photosynthesis <\/strong>is the mechanism by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy. Light, particularly at specific wavelengths, is crucial for activating photosynthetic pigments. Indeed, <strong>chloroplasts absorb this light energy<\/strong>, which is transformed into chemical energy to synthesize carbohydrates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Emerson Effect maximizes photosynthesis when plants are <strong>exposed to both short wave (680 nm) and long wave (over 700 nm)<\/strong> light at the same time. This can improve artificial lighting technologies for agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Applications_in_crop_cultivation_and_horticulture\"><\/span>Applications in crop cultivation and horticulture<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In horticulture and plant cultivation, the practical application of the <strong>Emerson Effect can influence the cultivation cycle and improve yields<\/strong>. Farmers and horticulturists use this information to fine-tune LED lighting systems that support more efficient photosynthesis, thus ensuring that plants grow healthier and more vigorous. Moreover, it positively impacts out-of-season crop production and the use of more sustainable resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recent_research\"><\/span>Recent research<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent research has shed light on the detailed mechanisms of the <strong>Emerson Effect<\/strong> and its potential practical applications in modern agriculture and biotechnology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advances_in_plant_biochemistry\"><\/span>Advances in plant biochemistry<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent studies in <strong>plant biochemistry<\/strong> have allowed for a clearer deciphering of how plants use different light wavelengths to optimize photosynthesis. This knowledge is crucial for developing <strong>advanced cultivation techniques<\/strong> that can more efficiently simulate the light spectra beneficial to plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Emerson_effect_and_biotechnology\"><\/span>Emerson effect and biotechnology<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Biotechnology <\/strong>directly benefits from research on the Emerson Effect, introducing innovations in plant genetic engineering. Varieties have been developed that show an improved response to deep red light, translating into increased photosynthetic efficiency and potentially better crop yields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding the Emerson Effect can enhance crops and is driving <strong>improvements in the design of LED lighting systems<\/strong> for precision agriculture, focused on specific light spectra that activate photosynthesis more effectively.<\/p>\n<div style='text-align:center' class='yasr-auto-insert-visitor'><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Emerson Effect is a photobiological phenomenon discovered in the 1950s by scientist Robert Emerson. This effect demonstrates that the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants can be significantly increased when they are exposed simultaneously to two different light wavelengths. To learn more about what the Emerson Effect is and how it can influence plants, here&#8217;s\u2026 <span class=\"leermas\" onclick=\"window.location.href='https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/what-is-the-emerson-effect-and-how-does-it-influence-plants\/'\">Continue reading<\/span ><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":154961,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[254],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-154946","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marijuana-crops"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":22,"sum_votes":100},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154946","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=154946"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154946\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":172253,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/154946\/revisions\/172253"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/154961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=154946"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=154946"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=154946"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}