Effects of red and blue LD lights on the growth of lettuce

In this study, Lactuca sativa L. cv. "Red Fire" was cultivated under visible laser diodes (LD) light alone, using red and blue LD for digital versatile discs (DVD). Relative growth rate, photosynthetic rate and vitamin C content were measured, and compared with those obtained using light emitting diodes (LED). When the lettuce was cultivated under LD light, the relative growth rate and net photosynthetic rate were decreased compared to those under LED light. The rates were decreased by 10% and 20% or more under red LD light and under a combination of red and blue LD lights, respectively. However, the vitamin C content was higher when grown under LD light than LED light. Considering the high output and high electrical-to-optical power conversion efficiency of LD, LD are potential light sources for plant cultivation when their prices decrease