MANIPULATION OF LIGHT SPECTRAL QUALITY TO REDUCE PARASITISM BY CUSCUTA AND OTHER PLANT PARASITES

摘要

The invention employs the use of light spectral manipulation as a defense method against parasitic plants in the genus Cuscuta. According to the invention, the manipulation of light spectra is employed to present a ratio of red light (650-670 nm) to far red light (710-740 nm) that is higher than natural sunlight. The manipulation can be passive, such as the use of photoselective film, or active, such as use of a lighting control mechanism within a plant cultivation house growth for delivering appropriate irradiation spectra to crops, such as the use of light-emitting diodes.

主权项

1. A method of reducing parasitism by Cuscuta and other dodder species in host plants comprising:
exposing said host plants to a light environment having a higher ratio of red to far-red light than natural sunlight, for a period of time effective for reducing said parasites from locating and acquiring hosts.