LED-based electronic system to support plant physiology experiments

This paper proposes an electronic system intended to provide a simplified and efficient alternative for plant physiology experiments, as well as to be used in greenhouse conventional processes. The text starts with a description regarding the interaction between artificial lighting and cultivation of vegetables, either for agricultural-oriented purposes or to help the interpretation of plants behavior in botanical studies. This first study helps to characterize the main radiometric quantities of interest, with a predominant orientation for growing vegetables when artificial lighting is used as a supplement or as a sole lighting source. Hence, based on some previous works, it is proposed a standalone system intended to drive a lighting fixture consisting of white power LEDs or mixed-color LED unities. Moreover, the paper also includes some preliminary radiometric experiments concerning a possible commercial LED, which is intended to be used in association with the proposed lighting fixture. The results should indicate if the LED brands are enough to excite a good photosynthetic response. Hence, the most relevant parameters are measured, such as the photosynthetic photon flux, luminous flux, lamp color rendering and color correlated temperature. It is expected that the developed prototype be able to present features that add flexibility, automation and radiometric relevance to some selected vegetable crops.