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Light and Plant Responses

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Physiology and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 5920

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Dr. Kristina Laužikė

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Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Kaunas str. 30, Kaunas dist, LT-54333 Babtai, Lithuania
Interests: photophysiology; photosynthetic system; apple tree physiology; fruit quality
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Light plays a critical role in the growth and development of plants, serving as both an energy source and potential stressor. Plants respond to various characteristics of light, including its intensity, quality, duration, and direction, utilizing specialized photoreceptors for these responses. While light is essential for the process of photosynthesis, excessively high or variable light levels can result in photoinhibition and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. In response to light stress, plants are evolving protective mechanisms, such as non-photochemical quenching, the movement of chloroplasts, and the production of anthocyanins.

Moreover, the light environment significantly affects plant responses to other abiotic and biotic stresses, with shaded conditions enhancing thermotolerance and drought resistance. Light also regulates crucial developmental processes, including flowering and dormancy, which are vital for maximizing plant yield. In addition to influencing plant physiology directly, light can impact plant pathogens, thereby aiding plants in their defense mechanisms.

A comprehensive understanding of these light-induced responses is essential for developing strategies that enhance crop stress tolerance and productivity. Consequently, this Special Issue invites scientists to engage in discussions on the various aspects of light and plant responses to it.

Dr. Kristina Laužikė
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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.

Publisher’s Notice

The Special Issue, together with its publications, has been shifted from Section Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions to Section Plant Physiology and Metabolism on 09 February 2026. The publications remain available in the regular issues in which they were originally published. The Editorial Office confirms that these articles adhered to MDPI's standard editorial process (https://www.mdpi.com/editorial_process).

Keywords

light
plants
LED
response

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 1904 KB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Effect of CuO Nanoparticles and Lighting on the Growth and Antioxidant Potential of Lettuce in CEA

by Aušra Brazaitytė, Vitalis Laužikas, Justinas Raginskis and Rūta Sutulienė

Plants 2026, 15(10), 1477; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15101477 - 12 May 2026

Viewed by 163

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) are becoming more commonly used in agricultural practices for cultivating plants under Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). The foliar application of copper oxide (CuO) NPs can enhance the production of bioactive compounds in lettuce without adversely affecting yield. However, there is a lack of data regarding the effects of NPs on plants under various lighting conditions, which is a crucial aspect of CEA. The study aims to find out how different lighting conditions can lead to Cu accumulation, to determine the effects of CuO NPs on lettuce growth, antioxidant potential and mineral elements, and to investigate the potential risk of these NPs’ uptake to human health. Plants were grown in Ebb-type hydroponic systems with red-blue and white-red-blue LED lighting at daily light integral 8.64 and 14.4, sprayed with aqueous suspensions of CuO NPs (40 nm, 30 ppm). The influence was determined on lettuce growth, the enzymatic (GR, APX, CAT, SOD, MDHAR, DHAR) and non-enzymatic (TPC, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) antioxidants, mineral elements and hazard quotients. Our study showed the synergistic effect of foliar application of CuO NPs and lighting on lettuce. We found that CuO NPs positively influenced lettuce growth and stimulated the antioxidant system, particularly the non-enzymatic components such as phenols, carotenoids, and total antioxidant capacity. This effect was enhanced under a broader wavelength range of white-red-blue light and with a higher daily light integral value of 14.4. The application of CuO NPs significantly increased the Cu content in lettuce. Importantly, the concentration of the used CuO NPs did not reach the limit of Cu ions dangerous to humans, as the calculated intake level remained below safe limits, but it is not determined how much of them remained in the form of NPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Responses)

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21 pages, 1138 KB

Open AccessArticle

Lighting Spectrum, Intensity, and Photoperiod Induce Distinct Photoresponses in Chrysanthemum coronarium Greens, Cultivated in CEA

by Akvilė Viršilė, Kristina Laužikė, Ieva Karpavičienė, Audrius Pukalskas and Giedrė Samuolienė

Plants 2026, 15(9), 1394; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15091394 - 1 May 2026

Viewed by 441

Abstract

In controlled-environment agriculture (CEA), light serves both as an energy source for photosynthesis and as a regulatory factor. However, the light responses of underutilized leafy greens are still not fully characterized compared with model crops such as lettuce. This study evaluated the effects of lighting parameters on the growth, metabolism, antioxidant properties, and mineral composition of Chrysanthemum coronarium (shungiku) greens cultivated hydroponically in CEA. Three parallel experiments were conducted, aiming to explore the effects of (I) light spectrum using red (R, 660 nm), blue (B, 447 nm), and combined RB light; (II) photoperiod, using 12, 16, and 24 h photoperiods at equal daily light integral; and 150, 200, 250, and 300 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) at 16 h photoperiod. RB light promoted the highest biomass accumulation and light use efficiency (LUE), while monochromatic red and blue light limited growth and reduced Fe and Zn contents. A 12 h photoperiod yielded the best results for leaf area, fresh weight, and LUE compared with 16 and 24 h photoperiods. Higher PPFD increased biomass, soluble sugars, antioxidant capacity, organic acids, and micronutrients, with peak LUE at 200 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ instead of the maximum yield at 300 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹. These findings emphasize the importance of crop-specific and trait-oriented light optimization for underutilized leafy vegetables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Responses)

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14 pages, 2373 KB

Open AccessArticle

Higher Light Intensity Combined with Optimized Photoperiod Enhances Growth and Tassel Development in Maize Inbred Line

by Xiang Ji, Luming Zhong, Jun Liu, Qing Zhou and Dongxian He

Plants 2026, 15(8), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15081208 - 15 Apr 2026

Viewed by 507

Abstract

Maize has a long generation cycle and sensitivity to photoperiod, which limit breeding efficiency. An LED plant factory with suitable light conditions provides a promising approach to overcoming challenges in speed breeding. This study optimized the LED light environment to enhance growth and tassel development in the maize inbred line from the V3 to V9 stages. Six lighting treatments were tested, combining three light intensities (800, 1200, and 1600 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and two photoperiods (10 h d⁻¹ and 12 h d⁻¹). Treatment with a light intensity of 1600 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and a photoperiod of 10 h d⁻¹ resulted in the highest shoot fresh weight (396.9 g per plant), shoot dry weight (42.4 g per plant), leaf area (51.3 dm² per plant), and stomatal length (34.6 μm), as well as improved photosystem performance. Furthermore, this treatment promoted tassel development, with the tassel length at the V9 stage being 45.8% longer than that under the treatment with a light intensity of 800 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and a photoperiod of 10 h d⁻¹. These findings establish an optimized lighting strategy that significantly enhances the growth and tassel development of maize inbred lines from the V3 to V9 stages, providing a suitable light environment for maize speed breeding in plant factory systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Responses)

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22 pages, 1056 KB

Open AccessArticle

Modulation of Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Capacity in Basil Microgreens by Light Intensity and Nutrient Solution

by Aušrinė Simonavičiūtė, Brigita Medveckienė, Jurgita Kulaitienė, Edita Meškinytė and Viktorija Vaštakaitė-Kairienė

Plants 2026, 15(4), 545; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15040545 - 10 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 657

Abstract

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) microgreens are valued for their high phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, which can be modulated under controlled environment agriculture (CEA). This study investigated the combined effects of three light-emitting diode (LED) light intensities (200, 250, and 300 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and three nutrient solution concentrations (basic, enriched, and diluted) on biomass accumulation, phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and photosynthetic pigments in basil microgreens. The fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), dry matter content (DM), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), and pigment levels were evaluated across nine treatment combinations. Biomass accumulation was primarily driven by nutrient availability; the highest FW (18.23 g 100 cm⁻²) was recorded under low light with elevated nutrients and was 133% higher than under high light combined with reduced nutrient supply. In contrast, the DM content increased under high light and low nutrients, reaching about 9%, which was 112% higher than in the lowest DM treatment. Increasing light intensity markedly resulted in phenolic accumulation and antioxidant activity. The highest TPC (28.39 mg g⁻¹ DW) observed under 300 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ with reduced nutrients was approximately 97% higher than that under 200 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ with basic nutrition. Under the same conditions, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP antioxidant activities increased by 54%, 54%, and 81%, respectively. Photosynthetic pigment responses to light and nutrient treatments were limited, with statistically significant differences observed mainly for chlorophyll b and the chlorophyll a/b ratio, while chlorophyll a and carotenoids remained largely unchanged. Principal component analysis separated high-light treatments by elevated phenolic–antioxidant profiles and low-light treatments by higher biomass and pigment levels. Overall, high light combined with moderate nutrient limitation promotes phenolic and antioxidant enrichment in basil microgreens, representing a quality-modulating strategy rather than a fully optimized cultivation regime. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Responses)

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22 pages, 501 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Light Modification by Shading Nets on Yield, Composition, and Antioxidant Activity of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. Essential Oil

by Zoran S. Ilić, Lidija Milenković, Ljiljana Stanojević, Aleksandra Milenković, Ljubomir Šunić, Bratislav Ćirković, Dragan Božović, Dragan Cvetković and Jelena Stanojević

Plants 2026, 15(3), 377; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15030377 - 26 Jan 2026

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Abstract

In the present study, the yield, chemical composition, and biological activities of Lavandula angustifolia flower essential oil (LAFEO) and leaves (LALEO) under different shade nets (pearl, red, blue) with 40% shading index compared with non-shading (control-open field) plants were investigated. The essential oil (EO) was isolated using a Clevenger-type hydrodistillation and the chemical composition of isolated EO was determined by GC/MS and GC/FID analyses. The antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH and FRAP assay. The highest EO yield was recorded in flowers from plants grown under pearl shade nets (4.62 mL/100 g p.m.) and in leaves under red nets (0.99 mL/100 g p.m.). The lowest EO content occurred in plant leaves (0.50 mL/100 g p.m.) and flowers (3.17 mL/100 g p.m.) from non-shaded (control) plants. The composition of lavender EO depended on both plant part and light conditions. Among the 47–59 identified compounds in LAFEO, the major constituents were 1,8-cineole (27.4–32.2%), linalool (24.7–27.3%), borneol (18.0–21.9%), and camphor (7.5–8.6%). In LALEO, 55–65 compounds were identified, with 1,8-cineole (30.4–39.8%), borneol (21.9–26.5%), camphor (11.3–13.9%), and linalool (6.0–8.6%) as the dominant constituents. Flower samples from non-shaded (control) plants showed moderate antioxidant activity, with EC₅₀ values decreasing over time, indicating the highest activity among treatments tested. Conversely, plant leaves under pearl nets showed the lowest activity among samples, with an EC₅₀ value of 42.40 mg/mL at 120 min, still within the moderate antioxidant activity range. LALEO showed higher FRAP values than flower oils, confirming a stronger reducing capacity. The highest activity was found in plant leaves under red nets (0.72 mg EFe²⁺/g) and in non-shaded plants (0.68 mg EFe²⁺/g), while the lowest occurred in flower samples from red (0.28 mg EFe²⁺/g) and pearl nets (0.33 mg EFe²⁺/g). Unlike the FRAP results, the DPPH assay showed relatively higher activity in flowers compared to leaves, though all samples exhibited moderate antioxidant capacity. Shading significantly increased essential oil yield; however, the effects of different color nets on essential oil quality require further investigation, although preliminary results indicate a potential reduction in undesirable constituents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Responses)

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17 pages, 3009 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Light Spectrum on Bread Wheat Head Colonization by Fusarium graminearum and on the Accumulation of Its Secondary Metabolites

by Minely Cerón-Bustamante, Francesco Tini, Giovanni Beccari, Andrea Onofri, Emilio Balducci, Michael Sulyok, Lorenzo Covarelli and Paolo Benincasa

Plants 2025, 14(13), 2013; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14132013 - 1 Jul 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1286

Abstract

Previous studies indicated that light influences mycotoxin production and wheat’s defense responses to the cereal fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum. Herein, the effect of different light wavelengths on F. graminearum colonization and secondary metabolite biosynthesis in bread wheat was assessed. Heads of a susceptible bread wheat cultivar were point-inoculated and exposed to red (627 nm), blue (470 nm), blue/red, and white light. Symptom severity, fungal DNA, and secondary metabolite accumulation were evaluated. Blue and red wavelengths reduced F. graminearum infection but had an opposite effect on the production of its fungal secondary metabolites. While blue light enhanced the accumulation of sesquiterpene mycotoxins, red light promoted the production of polyketide compounds. In addition, blue light stimulated deoxynivalenol glycosylation. These findings suggest that the light spectrum could affect mycotoxin contamination of wheat grains, highlighting the importance of light quality studies in field crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Responses)

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17 pages, 3358 KB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Targeted Supplemental-Waveband Lighting to Increase Yield and Quality of Lettuce Grown Indoors

by Nathan Kelly and Erik S. Runkle

Plants 2025, 14(7), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071141 - 6 Apr 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1355

Abstract

Lighting from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is one of the largest capital and operational expenses for indoor farms. While broad-waveband white LEDs are relatively inexpensive, their efficacy is lower than most narrow-band LEDs. This study aimed to determine how supplementing warm-white light with additional blue (400–499 nm), green (500–599 nm), red (600–699 nm), or far-red (700–750 nm) light influences lettuce (Lactuca sativa) growth and quality, and whether these effects are consistent across two photon flux densities (PFDs). We grew lettuce ‘Rouxai’ and ‘Rex’ under 90 or 180 µmol∙m⁻²∙s⁻¹ of warm-white light supplemented with 40 or 80 µmol∙m⁻²∙s⁻¹ of blue, green, red, far-red, or warm-white light. Supplemental far-red light increased biomass without reducing secondary metabolites. Supplemental red, far-red, and warm-white light maximized biomass, whereas additional blue light enhanced secondary metabolite concentrations and leaf coloration. Increasing the PFD increased biomass and phenolic content in ‘Rouxai’. Notably, spectral effects were consistent across PFD levels, suggesting that higher PFDs do not diminish spectral responses. These results demonstrate the potential of enriching white light to increase yield or quality in controlled-environment agriculture and provide insights for cost-effective commercial production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Light and Plant Responses)

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