LIGHT AND QUALITY OF FLORICULTURE PRODUCTS

The paper presents an overview of recent publications on the use of light environment regulation to improve the efficiency of floriculture due to product quality. The most important characteristics of the light environment are considered – flux density of photosynthetic photons, photoperiod, and spectral composition of light. Their strict adjustment is ensured by the use of light-emitting diodes. With regard to objects, the material mainly concerns potted flowering and decorative deciduous plants, as well as seedlings of flower crops and cut production. As for plants’ habitus regulation, height and the formation of lateral shoots are of particular importance. The advantage of using polychromatic LEDs over monochromatic light is shown. Attention is drawn to the value of green light and the ratio of red and far red light in the light spectrum. When studying the issues of flowering induction, the paper considered the ways of perception and transmission of a signal with a favorable photoperiod and the influence of light quality on the reaction of plants during the interruption of night period. The main part of the review is devoted to the importance of light environment in physiological and biochemical processes and genetic regulation of flower coloration, leaf variegation of ornamental and deciduous plants, participation of antioxidant systems in stress resistance and storage longevity. The direct and indirect effects of light on pathogens are considered. The special role of blue light in the accumulation of anthocyanins and the activity of antioxidant enzymes is shown. In conclusion, the prospects of using light to obtain highquality floriculture products and reduce the pesticides load on the environment are noted.