Light as an ecological
factor
Light
Light plays an important role in the species composition and
development of vegetation.
On an average approximately only 2-3 per cent of this solar energy is
used in Primary Productivity.
Light as an ecological factor
The word light usually refers to visible light, and is responsible for the
sense of sight.
The main source of light on Earth is the Sun.
Light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which
ranges from radio waves to gamma rays.
Electromagnetic radiation can also be described in
terms of a stream of photons which are mass less
particles each travelling with wave like properties at
the speed of light.
CONT…
Light intensity shows special variations due to the factors like atmos
pheric water layer, particles dispersed in the air, etc. Further, the
vegetation of an area may also affect the light intensity. In deep shade
under trees, or under water, light becomes limiting below which photo-
synthesis is not sufficient for effective growth.
Effect of Light on Plants:
Light plays a vital role directly or indirectly in regulating the growth (structure,
form, size), metabolism, development and distribution of plants.
The plants are influenced by light in the following ways:
1. Effect on Chlorophyll synthesis:
The synthesis of chlorophyll in green plants can take place only in the presence
of light. It is seen that if a chlorophillus plant is kept in prolonged darkness, the
chlorophyll amount practically disappears.
Effect of light on plants
2. Effect on number and Position of Chloroplasts:
Light has marked effect on the number and position of chloroplasts,
the chlorophyll bearing organelle.
. The upper surface of leaves which receive maximum sunlight has the
largest number of chloroplasts arranged in line with the direction of
light.
Conti…
On the other hand, the leaves of the plants which shade chloroplasts
are very few in number and arranged at right angles to the light rays,
thus increasing the surface of absorption.
Effect of light on plants
3. Effect on Photosynthesis:
Photosynthesis is a process of conversion of solar energy (light) into chemical energy
(in presence of chlorophyll) which is subsequently used for the preparation of
carbohydrate from carbon dioxide and water.
It is clear that light is highly essential for photosynthesis.
Cont..
. The rate of photosynthesis is slower at lower intensity and it increases
linearly with increasing light intensity upto a particular point, known as
“Saturation point,” and after attaining this point, it remains
constant.
Compensation intensity
The intensity of light at which the plants no longer carry on
photosynthesis or when the photosynthesis balances respiration is called
compensation intensity.
Effect of light on plants
4. Effect on Respiration:
In plants, respiration is a process of the oxidation of carbohydrate
(produced in the photosynthesis) into carbon dioxide and water. According
to Calvin (1958), the rate of respiration increases at higher light intensity
and it decreases at lower light intensity.
Effect of light on plants
5. Effect on Transpiration:
The rise in atmospheric temperature which may be due to the
conversion of solar radiation into heat increases the rate of
transpiration. The process of opening of stomata (which depends upon
light) leading to loss of water from the aerial surface of plants is known
as transpiration.
Effect of light on plants
6. Effect on Production of Hormone:
Light inhibits the synthesis of auxins or growth hormones in
plants as a result of which the shape and size of the plants gets
modified.
Effect of light on plants
7. Effect on development of Flowers, Fruits and Vegetative parts:
The intensity of light largely influences the growth and de
velopment of flowers, fruits and vegetative parts of plants.
Light of higher intensity favours development of flowers, fruits
and seeds but light of lower intensity promotes the development
of vegetative parts and causes delicacy.
Effect of light on plants
8. Effect on Formation of Anthocyanin Pigment:
Intense light helps in the formation of anthocyanin pigments in
plants. The plants in Alpine regions have beautiful flowers
containing this pigment.
Effect of light on plants
9. Effect on Movement:
Phototropism
The effect on sunlight in modulating the movement of plants is
called phototropism or heliotropism.
Effect of light on plants
Positive tropism
The elongation on stem towards light is known as positive photo-
tropism .
Negative tropism
The movement of roots away from light is known as negative photo-
tropism. The leaves grow transversely to light.
Effect of light on plants
10. Effect on Photoperiodism:
The response of plants to the relative length of the day (known
as photo-period) is known as photoperiodism.
Cont…
According to the response of the plants to the length of the
photo-period, the plants have been classified into three groups:
(i) Long Day Plants (L.D.P.):
The plants which bloom when the light duration is more than 12
hours per day e.g. radish, potato, spinach, etc.
Cont..
(ii) Short Day Plants (S.D.P.):
The plants which bloom when the light duration is lesser than 12
hours per day e.g. cereals, tobacco, cosmos etc.
(iii) Day neutral Plants (D.N.P.):
The plants which show little response to the length of the day
light e.g. cotton, balsam, tomato, etc.
Effect of light on plants
11. Effect on Seed Germination:
The germination of seeds is largely influenced by light. In most
of the plants, the red light induces seed germination and in
some plants blue light promotes the process.
In some cases, far-red light is seen to inhibit seed germination.
Effect of light on plants
12. Effect on Distribution of Plants:
The duration and intensity of light plays an important role in
determining the distribution of plants. Hence the vegetation of
different geographical regions are different from one another.
Effect of light on plants
13. Effect on Photo-morphogenesis:
The development of plants in seedling stage is controlled by
light. The seedlings present in dark condition are non-green and
highly elongated with poorly developed root system and no-
foliage. However, an exposure of the dark grown seedling to
light makes it normal.
Effect of light on plants
Effect on Stomatal opening
Basically opening and closing of stomata is regulated by light .It is
also related with transpiration and absorption .
Quality of light
Normal plant growth requires white light or sunlight . Light quality refers to
the color or wavelength reaching the plant's surface. If we take an example of
a prism (or raindrops) can divide sunlight into respective colors of red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
Red and blue have the greatest impact on plant growth.
Green light is least effective (the reflection of green light gives the green
color to plants).
Blue light is primarily responsible for vegetative leaf growth. Red
light, when combined with blue light, encourages flowering.
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