In every facet of plant development, ultraviolet (UV) light is important. During their natural habitats, plants are exposed to UVA and UVB rays from the sun. UV radiation is produced in very tiny levels or not at all by many of the lamps used for indoor plant development.
Describe UV.
One kind of electromagnetic radiation found in natural sunshine is ultraviolet light. This light is divided into three distinct wavelength sections:
UVA = 400–315 nm
UVB = 315-280 nm
UVC is between 280 and 100 nm.
These three UV wavelengths are produced by natural sunlight, however UVC is not seen naturally on Earth because the atmosphere prevents the very dangerous radiation from reaching the surface. Small amounts of manufactured UVC are used to sanitise the air in facilities like hospitals.
What Effects Does UV Have on My Plants?
Consider the damage that prolonged exposure to the sun does to your skin. It starts to sweat and burn. The same is true of plants. A plant's defences are triggered by UV radiation. In order to defend themselves from UV's harmful effects, plants create oils, antioxidant vitamins, and flavonoids. These substances give plants their vivid hues, flavours, and scents.
When there is an appropriate level of UV, it:
- Increases the amount of oils and resins
- More root mass results in more branching and less stretching, enhances flavour and aroma, and produces plants with more potency.
- Enhances resistance to germs, fungi, and insects and may hasten the germination of seeds.
Note that PPF, kelvin temperature, lumens, and other illumination metrics do not measure UV (but PBF does). Information on UV output can only be obtained via a spectral distribution chart or a UV meter.
https://www.benweilight.com/professional-lighting/uv-lighting/
