Background Research

Oct 9, 2023

Question: What effect does the type of light (Infrared, Led, UV-A) have on the
photosynthesis of garden cress?

Hypothesis: If infrared light is used as the lighting source of a garden cress, then the
biomass of the garden cress will increase.

The Garden Cress (Lepidium Sativum) is a pungent tasting shrub in which

belongs to the Cruciferae family, and typically yields round green leaves.1 When first
planting the seed, it should be inserted 1 to 1.5 centimeters deep into the soil. In order
to rightfully accommodate the Garden Cress, the environment must provide partial to full
sunlight (or any other light source) alongside moist and nutritious soil. Garden Cress
should be watered frequently, with a separation of a few days. Fertilizer is not
necessary for the growth of a garden cress, since they mature rather quickly, however if
the soil is lacking qualities or incompetent for Garden Cress growth, then using a
soluble fertilizer is advised.2 Following 15 to 20 days, Garden Cress will mature,
reaching a height of about two inches.

Photosynthesis is a process that is performed by plants and a selection of other

organisms involving the conversion of light energy to chemical energy.3 The light
dependent reaction of photosynthesis begins when light enters the pigment of the
organism. Pigment is located within the chloroplast of the plant. The fundamental
wavelengths of light that pigment absorbs are chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and ß-
carotene. Below is an absorption spectrum, which illustrates the set of wavelengths
absorbed by a pigment.4
1 “Garden cress Definition & Meaning.” Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/garden-cress.
Accessed 9 October 2023.

2 Alan, Bonnie, and Dan Frost. “How to Grow Garden Cress in Your Garden.” USU Extension Services,
April 2020, https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/garden-cress-in-the-garden. Accessed 9
October 2023.

3 Lamber, Hans, and James Alan Bassham. “Photosynthesis | Definition, Formula, Process, Diagram,
Reactants, Products, & Facts.” Britannica, 12 August 2023,
https://www.britannica.com/science/photosynthesis. Accessed 9 October 2023.

4 Mills, Ben. “Wavelengths of light and photosynthetic pigments (article).” Khan Academy,
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/photosynthesis-in-plants/the-light-dependent-reactions-of-
photosynthesis/a/light-and-photosynthetic-pigments. Accessed 9 October 2023.
 ³

As displayed by the absorption spectrum, Chlorophyll molecules absorb red and

blue wavelengths, while Carotenoids absorb violet and blue-green pigments.³
Carotenoids dispose of excess light by converting the light into heat. When photons
(light particles) enter the plant, they gain energy. This is referred to as excitement. After
excitement is provoked within the electrons, they travel through an electron transport
chain, where the electrons use their energy to pump hydrogen ions into the thylakoid
membrane. In order to compensate for the loss of electrons, water molecules will
donate electrons to chlorophyll. Consequently, oxygen and hydrogen ions are produced.
Meanwhile, the electrons are transferred to Photosystem I, where they are excited once
more. Finally, the newly excited electrons are accepted into a NADP+ molecule along
with hydrogen atoms, resulting in a NADPH molecule. NADPH then transports the
electrons to the calvin cycle.5

5 Mills, Ben. “Wavelengths of light and photosynthetic pigments (article).” Khan Academy,
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/photosynthesis-in-plants/the-light-dependent-reactions-of-
photosynthesis/a/light-and-photosynthetic-pigments. Accessed 9 October 2023.
 The electromagnetic spectrum is a visual display of the ranging frequencies
between all forms of electromagnetic radiation.6 Radiation is the transmission of energy
throughout the universe. The electromagnetic spectrum consists of 7 fundamental
groups that are referred to as portions. (Radio Waves, Microwaves, Infrared Waves,
Visible light, Ultraviolet rays, X rays, Gamma rays) The spectrum progresses according
to the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation. The far left of the spectrum contains
radiation yielding the highest frequency, conversely, the far right of the spectrum
includes radiation retaining the lowest frequency. Nonetheless, all types of
electromagnetic radiation travel at the speed of light in the vacuum of space. The
relationship between wavelength and frequency of radiation is inverse, whereas
radiation with lower frequencies possess longer wavelengths, yet radiation with higher
frequencies possess shorter wavelengths.

UV-A radiation is a subordinate region of UV radiation that yields wavelengths

ranging from 315 to 400 nanometers.7 The most prominent aspect of UV-A radiation in
relation to plants is its ability to produce vibrant flowers and ameliorated taste in fruit.
Exposure to UV-A light is also known for its healing property, as it has been linked to
treating diseases. This was exhibited within a study conducted with mice. When tested
on mice, UV-A light displayed a decline in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella
pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and many other diseases. In another study, exposure to
UV-A light caused a significant reduction in the protein production of coronavirus. 8
Additionally, UV-A light does not damage cells, unlike its counterpart, UV-B radiation.
UV-A radiation prevents fungi growth and is linked to more efficient photosynthesis.
However, with an increase of exposure to UV-A light, plants will develop a substance
named resin, which prevents the plant from disposing of excess water, posing health
risks.9

Infrared radiation is a portion on the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths

ranging 780 nanometers to 1000 micrometers.10 Infrared radiation is often used within
6 O'Callaghan, Jonathan. “What is the electromagnetic spectrum?” Space.com, 29 October 2021,
https://www.space.com/what-is-the-electromagnetic-spectrum. Accessed 9 October 2023.

7 World Health Organization. “Radiation: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation.” World Health Organization (WHO), 9
March 2016, https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-ultraviolet-(uv).
Accessed 9 October 2023.

8Rezaie, Ali, et al. “Ultraviolet A light effectively reduces bacteria and viruses including coronavirus.”
NCBI, 16 July 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7365468/. Accessed 9 October 2023.

9 Miller, Susan. “Do Plants Need UV (Ultraviolet Light) Light to Grow?” Conserve Energy Future, 2012,
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/plants-need-uv-light-grow.php. Accessed 9 October 2023.

10 ICNIRP. “INFRARED RADIATION.” ICNIRP, https://www.icnirp.org/en/frequencies/infrared/index.html.

Accessed 10 October 2023.
therapeutic circumstances, such as treating wound healing disorders. When infrared
light contacts biological tissues, it causes molecular vibration.11 This generates heat.
Hence, if one receives excessive exposure to infrared radiation, then they will
experience burns. Reasonable amounts of infrared light are linked with improved blood
circulation and reduction of muscle tension. Converting to the botanic aspects of
infrared radiation, it is known to ameliorate bud and flower production. Infrared light also
enhances the leaf growth of plants and generally allows plants to retain a larger
stature.12 Similar to UV-A light, Infrared light improves the flavor of the fruit, alongside
boosting the aroma of the plant.

LED light is located on the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum,
with a wavelength of 400 nanometers to 700 nanometers.13 LED light is found in many
outdoor lighting sources, such as streetlights, and park garage lighting. LED lights are
also used as kitchen lighting due to their compact yet luminous property.¹³ From a
study, it has been noted that LED lighting surpasses that of incandescent lighting. LED
lights are not prone to quick warming, hence they minimize combustion and burns.
Plant-wise, LED lights are known to ameliorate the overall qualities of a plant. In an
experiment conducted, it had been found that LED lights are more efficient than
traditional light sources used for planting. This is mainly owed to the flexibility of LED
light production, where it atones to the ideal wavelength (within its range) for
photosynthesis according to the respectful stage in the plant’s life cycle. As a result,
LED lights produce larger plants.14

11 “BfS - Infrared radiation - Applications of infrared radiation.” Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, 17 April
2020, https://www.bfs.de/EN/topics/opt/application-medicine-wellness/infrared/infrared.html. Accessed 9
October 2023.

12 monk, matthew. “How Infrared Light Affects Plant Growth.” Herbal House, 27 July 2021,
https://herbals.co.nz/blogs/spectrum-led-grow-lights/how-infrared-light-affects-plant-growth. Accessed 9
October 2023.

13 Energy Saver. “LED Lighting.” Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/led-

lighting. Accessed 9 October 2023.

14 SpecGradeLED. “The Effects of LED Lighting on Plant Growth.” SpecGrade LED, 29 April 2022,
https://www.specgradeled.com/news/the-effects-of-led-lighting-on-plant-growth/. Accessed 9 October
2023.