Photosynthesis is the basis of life for our plants. A plant absorbs water and carbon dioxide from its environment. Using the sun's energy, it can produce sugar in the form of glucose and oxygen. The sugar serves as a food source while the oxygen is released into the environment as a byproduct. Plants depend on it for their growth. But some factors can affect photosynthesis and thus the growth of your plant. We explain what you should pay attention to!
The right amount of light
Photosynthesis can only take place with sufficient lighting and the CO2 consumption of photosynthesis exceeds the CO2 release through cellular respiration.
However, if the lighting is too intense, the chloroplasts and thus also the pigments for photosynthesis are damaged. This leads to an inhibition of photosynthesis, also called light inhibition.
However, if there is insufficient light, cellular respiration dominates, which means that more carbon dioxide is released than is taken up and converted by photosynthesis.
The optimal point at which the CO2 consumption and its release are balanced is also called the light compensation point. In the dark, no photosynthesis takes place in most plants, only cell respiration.
Light and shade plants explained
You can distinguish between light and shade plants. Light plants are adapted to high light levels and shade plants to low light levels. The light compensation point for shade plants is lower than for light plants and therefore they need lower light intensities to operate their photosynthesis and obtain nutrients. This is due to the number of chloroplasts in the leaves. The popular kitchen herb thyme is a light plant. Ferns belong to the shade plants!
the right temperature
The photosynthetic performance of a plant is also strongly influenced by the ambient temperature, since the activity of the necessary enzymes is strongly influenced by the temperature.
You should note that photosynthesis can only begin at a certain temperature, since each enzyme has a specific curve in which it can work effectively. With increasing temperature, the rate of photosynthesis increases until the optimal temperature level for the enzymes is reached.
The FARBIO® Nitrogen Bio-Boost supports your plants with nitrogen, which is not only essential for healthy growth, but also lets your plants shine with intense green leaves!
