{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"TechArticle","id":"MTH-LGT-001","slug":"lighting","canonical_url":"https://flavorotor.com/research/lighting","machine_readable_url":"https://flavorotor.com/research/data/chapters/lighting.json","markdown_url":"https://flavorotor.com/research/markdown/lighting","title":"Light, spectrum and DLI","description":"Spectral composition, PPFD, DLI, photoperiod, plant position and the distinction between electrical power and photon exposure.","chapter":"Experimental platform","version":"1.1","updated":"2026-07-26","table_of_contents":[{"id":"metrics","label":"Required metrics"},{"id":"basil","label":"Published basil study"},{"id":"power","label":"Why wattage is insufficient"}],"html":"<section aria-label=\"Article summary\" class=\"fr-article-summary\"><div><span>In brief</span><p>Spectral composition, PPFD, DLI, photoperiod, plant position and the distinction between electrical power and photon exposure.</p></div></section><figure class=\"fr-research-figure\"><img alt=\"Central lighting and imaging module integrated into the FlavoRotor system\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/research/original/central-light-imaging-module.webp\"/><figcaption><strong>Central optical module.</strong><span>Original v2.0 design image. Plant-level photon exposure must be established by a measured PPFD and spectral map. <button aria-label=\"Open source record I02\" class=\"research-source-trigger\" data-research-source=\"I02\" type=\"button\">[I02]</button></span></figcaption></figure><h2 id=\"metrics\">Required metrics</h2>\n<div class=\"table-wrap\"><table><thead><tr><th>Metric</th><th>Definition</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Spectrum</td><td>photon distribution by wavelength at plant position</td></tr><tr><td>PPFD</td><td>instantaneous 400–700 nm photon flux density</td></tr><tr><td>DLI</td><td>daily integrated photosynthetic photon exposure</td></tr><tr><td>Photoperiod</td><td>scheduled light duration</td></tr><tr><td>Uniformity</td><td>spatial distribution across plant positions</td></tr><tr><td>Leaf temperature</td><td>thermal outcome at the tissue, not only room temperature</td></tr></tbody></table></div>\n<div class=\"equation\"><div class=\"equation-label\">L-1</div><div class=\"equation-text\">DLI = PPFD · t<sub>h</sub> · 3600 / 10⁶</div><div class=\"equation-desc\">DLI in mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ for constant PPFD and photoperiod th in hours.</div></div>\n<h2 id=\"basil\">Published basil study</h2>\n<p>In hydroponic Italian Large Leaf basil, controlled supplemental-light spectra altered key aroma volatiles under a defined experimental environment. <button aria-label=\"Open source record R01\" class=\"research-source-trigger\" data-research-source=\"R01\" type=\"button\">[R01]</button> The transferable conclusion is that spectrum is a valid treatment variable. The exact result requires matching cultivar, DLI and other conditions.</p>\n<h2 id=\"power\">Why wattage is insufficient</h2>\n<p>A 50 W electrical rating and manufacturer efficacy estimate cannot define PPFD inside a cylindrical system. Optical distribution, distance, angle, reflection, obstruction, thermal state and plant position must be measured.</p>\n","text":"In brief Spectral composition, PPFD, DLI, photoperiod, plant position and the distinction between electrical power and photon exposure. Central optical module. Original v2.0 design image. Plant-level photon exposure must be established by a measured PPFD and spectral map. [I02] Required metrics Metric Definition Spectrum photon distribution by wavelength at plant position PPFD instantaneous 400–700 nm photon flux density DLI daily integrated photosynthetic photon exposure Photoperiod scheduled light duration Uniformity spatial distribution across plant positions Leaf temperature thermal outcome at the tissue, not only room temperature L-1 DLI = PPFD · t h · 3600 / 10⁶ DLI in mol·m⁻²·d⁻¹ for constant PPFD and photoperiod th in hours. Published basil study In hydroponic Italian Large Leaf basil, controlled supplemental-light spectra altered key aroma volatiles under a defined experimental environment. [R01] The transferable conclusion is that spectrum is a valid treatment variable. The exact result requires matching cultivar, DLI and other conditions. Why wattage is insufficient A 50 W electrical rating and manufacturer efficacy estimate cannot define PPFD inside a cylindrical system. Optical distribution, distance, angle, reflection, obstruction, thermal state and plant position must be measured.","source_ids":["I02","R01"],"visuals":[],"sources":[{"id":"I02","authors":"FlavoRotor project team","year":2026,"title":"FlavoRotor v2.0 system architecture","publication":"Internal engineering design report","doi":null,"url":"/research/platform","source_type":"internal primary record","relevance":"Documents the proposed magnetic drive, axial lighting, four-channel peristaltic dosing and imaging architecture.","verification":"Derived from the original FlavoRotor v2.0 engineering document","verified_on":"2026-07-26","verification_status":"INTERNAL PRIMARY RECORD","verified_against":"Original internal project file and extracted media"},{"id":"R01","authors":"Hammock, Hunter A.; Sams, Carl E.","year":2023,"title":"Variation in supplemental lighting quality influences key aroma volatiles in hydroponically grown 'Italian Large Leaf' basil","publication":"Frontiers in Plant Science","doi":"10.3389/fpls.2023.1184664","source_type":"peer-reviewed research","relevance":"Direct evidence that spectral treatment can modify volatile profiles in a named hydroponic basil cultivar.","verification":"Publisher, PubMed, ISO or official proceedings metadata checked 2026-07-26","url":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1184664","verified_on":"2026-07-26","verification_status":"DOI METADATA CHECKED","verified_against":"Publisher, DOI landing page, PubMed or official repository where available"}]}