APLICAÇÃO DE LUZ ARTIFICIAL E SUPLEMENTAR E SUA RELAÇÃO COM A PRODUTIVIDADE VEGETAL: REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Abstract

The objective of this review was to conduct a bibliographic survey on the use of supplementary light in controlled agricultural systems and vertical farming, investigating its influence on maximizing productivity. Agriculture in the 21st century faces the challenge of "producing more with less," as continuous population growth is expected over the next 50 to 60 years, reaching approximately 10.3 billion people by 2080. Given this scenario, one of the greatest challenges for agricultural professionals is increasing productivity to meet the global food demand, which drives research into cultivation techniques and the development of genetically resistant cultivars to adverse conditions.

In recent years, the application of LED lights in the production of vegetables, fruits, and medicinal compounds has gained prominence, as light is a determining factor in the process of plant growth and conservation. Light supplementation controls various physiological processes, affecting both the primary and secondary metabolism of plants. Irradiance with photons of different wavelengths is essential for photosynthesis, growth, and the accumulation of secondary metabolic compounds in plants, with blue and red lights being particularly relevant in these processes.

Studies have investigated the impact of different spectral lights and UV-B radiation on photosynthetic performance and the production of phenolic compounds, such as in the case of micro tomatoes. The results indicate that plants grown under a combination of red, blue, and white light (RBW) exhibited higher chlorophyll levels compared to those exposed only to blue light (B) or the combination of blue and UV-B light. These findings highlight the potential of LED lights in enhancing plant productivity and nutritional quality.

To address the challenges posed by population growth, a multidisciplinary approach is essential, promoting high food productivity with superior nutritional quality and rational resource use. In this context, alternatives such as urban and indoor vertical farming, combined with the use of supplementary light, emerge as promising methods, offering differentiated production adapted to new sustainability standards. Integrating these approaches is a necessary step to make agricultural production in Brazil more efficient and sustainable, contributing to food security and the preservation of natural resources.