Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana Growth Behavior in Different Light Qualities
Published on: February 2, 2018
Side Lighting Enhances Morphophysiology by Inducing More Branching and Flowering in Chrysanthemum Grown in Controlled
Jingli Yang1, Byoung Ryong Jeong1,2,3
1Department of Horticulture, Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Graduate School of Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea.
Abstract:
Light is one of the most important factors that influence plant growth and development. This study was conducted to examine how lighting direction affects plant morphophysiology by investigating plant growth parameters, leaf anatomy, epidermal cell elongation, stomatal properties, chloroplast arrangement, and physiological changes. In closed-type plant factory units, the rooted cuttings of two chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) cultivars, 'Gaya Glory' and 'Pearl Egg', were subjected to a 10 h photoperiod with a 300 μmol∙m-2∙s-1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) provided by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) from three directions relative to the plant including the top, side, and bottom. Compared to the top or bottom lighting, the side lighting greatly enhanced the plant growth, improved the leaf internal structure and chloroplast arrangement, induced small stomata with a higher density, and promoted stomatal opening, which is associated with an increased stomatal conductance and photosynthetic efficiency. It is worth noting that the side lighting significantly enhanced the induction of branching and flowering for both cultivars., The plants grown with side lighting consistently exhibited the greatest physiological performance. We conclude that the lighting direction had a profound effect on the morphophysiological characteristics of chrysanthemum, and that side lighting dramatically promoted their growth and development, especially in their branching and flowering.
Related Concept Videos
Light Acquisition
Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light
Morphogenesis
Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

