Integrated production in new light: light quality in greenhouse horticulture and its impact on the phyllosphere microbiome

Abstract

Horticultural crop production in greenhouses, polytunnels and plant factories uses artificial assimilation lighting to improve plant performance and the profitability as well as bioactive compound content. Using light emitting diodes (LED) as a light source, light quality can easily be adopted for the crop’s demands and specific crop management measures. Most horticultural literature related to artificial lighting focuses on the plant and its product. But light quality also affects non-phototrophic microorganisms associated to the canopy microbiota (phyllobiome) and has an impact on fundamental processes for distribution and establishment of biocontrol agents in the phyllosphere. In this contribution, we highlight the impact of light quality on plant-microbe interactions, with special emphasis on non-phototrophic organisms. Relevant molecular mechanisms regulating light quality-related processes are described. To translate fundamental mechanisms and processes crucial for biocontrol into the phyllosphere and greenhouse environment, a systematic literature analysis was performed, including 307 scientific open access articles displaying primary data and 27 eligible ones. We found that in order to predict the fate of non-phototrophic bacteria, esp. biocontrol agents in crop stands, the description of light related information as well light distribution in the canopy environment in scientific studies must be considerably improved.

Keywords

exposure dose; exposure length; irradiation; non-phototrophic bacteria; phyllosphere; spectral distribution; wavelength

Published in

Acta Horticulturae
2025, number: 1426, pages: 117-124
Title: Proceedings of the ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1426 International Symposium on New Technologies for Sustainable Greenhouse Systems: GreenSys2023
Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science

Conference

International Symposium on New Technologies for Sustainable Greenhouse Systems: GreenSys2023, October 22-27 2023, Mexico

SLU Authors

• Alsanius, Beatrix

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Karlsson, Maria

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Hellström, Maria

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Rosberg, Anna Karin

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Horticulture

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2025.1426.17
• ISBN: 978-94-62614-25-3

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142896