Red and blue pulse timing control for pulse width modulation light dimming of light emitting diodes for plant cultivation

A pulse width modulation (PWM) light dimming system containing red and blue light emitting diodes was designed and constructed. Cultivation of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana under various light dimming wave patterns was compared. Control of the pulse timing (phase of wave pattern) between red and blue light in PWM light dimming was examined. Different plant growth was obtained by changing the phase of red and blue pulses. Pulse timing control of PWM light dimming for plant cultivation has the potential to act as a method for probing photosynthesis.

► A pulse width modulation (PWM) light dimming system containing red and blue LEDs was constructed.
► The plant Arabidopsis thaliana was cultivated under various light dimming wave patterns.
► Control of the timing of pulses (phase of wave pattern) between red and blue light was examined.
► Different plant growth was obtained by changing the phase of red and blue pulses.
► Photosynthesis can be probed using controlled pulses from a PWM light dimming system to grow plants.