Optimized LED Lighting for Enhanced Crop Performance in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Protected Culture".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 4
Special Issue Editors
Interests: artificial lights; LED; plant physiology; microgreens; UV-B; CEA; vertical farming; crop quality
Interests: agricultural crops; biostimulants; vegetable crops; sustainable agriculture; horticulture; postharvest physiology; crop quality; abiotic stress; ornamental plants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: CEA automation; smart farming technologies; hydroponics; nutrient dynamics; liquid organic fertilizer; substrate; vertical farming
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The special issue “Optimized LED Lighting for Enhanced Crop Performance in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)”, will feature original research articles, review papers and mini reviews exploring efficient artificial lighting in the greenhouses and vertical farms. Tailored lighting solutions have become increasingly important as CEA systems have proven vital for enhancing yields, optimizing resource utilization, and facilitating year-round production. LEDs present a compelling alternative to traditional lighting due to their energy efficiency, longevity, adjustable spectra, and low heat output, granting unprecedented control over the light environment.
This issue will explore cutting-edge research, in optimizing LED lighting for horticulture. It will investigate how various light spectra (red, blue, green, far-red, UVs) and their combinations affect plant physiology, including photosynthesis, development, secondary metabolites, flowering, and fruiting. Likewise, articles will examine dynamic light management strategies, adapting intensity and spectra based on plant stage and environmental factors. The integration of LED systems with other CEA technologies, such as climate and nutrient control, to create synergistic effects for enhanced growth and resource efficiency will be addressed. Furthermore, the economic viability and sustainability of LED solutions in CEA, considering costs, energy savings, and lifecycle, will be considered.
Additionally, this special issue aims to provide a comprehensive view of the latest advancements in LED lighting for controlled environments, highlighting innovative approaches and best practices for researchers, growers, and technology providers aiming to revolutionize crop production, potentially but not limited in conjunction with biostimulants to further enhance plant performance under optimized light conditions.
Dr. Awais Ali
Dr. Giulia Franzoni
Dr. Milon Chowdhury
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- LED lighting
- Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
- plant physiology
- photosynthesis
- biostimulants
- photoperiod
- vertical farming
- greenhouse lighting
- nutrient management
- energy efficiency and consumption
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