Electromagnetic waves outside the visible spectrum play a role in photosynthesis
Electromagnetic waves outside the visible spectrum, particularly far-red and near-infrared light, play a significant role in driving and enhancing photosynthesis through mechanisms such as the Emerson enhancement effect and specialized pigment absorption.
Multiple peer-reviewed studies and recent literature demonstrate that wavelengths beyond the traditional 400-700 nm visible spectrum (such as far-red and near-infrared light) actively contribute to photosynthetic performance, electron transport, and carbon fixation when acting alone or in combination with shorter wavelengths.
Masaru Kono, H. Kawaguchi, N. Mizusawa, W. Yamori, Yoshihiro Suzuki, I. Terashima. Far-Red Light Accelerates Photosynthesis in the Low-Light Phases of Fluctuating Light.. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1093/pcp/pcz191
Far-red light accelerates photosynthesis and enhances CO2 assimilation during fluctuating light conditions.
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Xiaohui Lin, Yang Li, S. Saravanakumar, Qiang Tang, Shaoan Zhang, Xiuping Gao, Yihua Hu, Kai Huang, Gang Han. Sunlight-operable light converting smart windows for fertilizer-free plant growth enhancement. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nantod.2020.100918
Far-red and near-infrared photons are shown to be beneficial and utilized for plant growth enhancement.
V. Lysenko, T. Varduny, E. I. Simonovich, O. Chugueva, V. Chokheli, M. Sereda, S. N. Gorbov, Vladimir P. Krasnov, E. K. Tarasov, I. Y. Sherstneva, M. Kozlova. Far-Red Spectrum of Second Emerson Effect: A Study Using Dual-Wavelength Pulse Amplitude Modulation Fluorometry. 2014. https://doi.org/10.3844/AJBBSP.2014.234.240
Far-red light illumination increases the quantum yield of Photosystem II via the second Emerson effect.
Craig R. Taylor, W. van Ieperen, J. Harbinson. Greater Than the Sum of the Parts: Revisiting the Enhancement Effect in Photosynthesis Using Simulated Sun‐ and Shade‐Light. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.15557
Far-red light enhances photosynthesis beyond the sum of individual effects when combined with shorter wavelengths.
Kang Li, Bing-Yue Qin, Yu-Zhong Zhang, Hao-Jie Wang, Quan Wen, Xin-Xiao Qu, Fang Zhao, Xiulan Chen, Jun Gao, Lu-Ning Liu, Long-Sheng Zhao. Structure and energy transfer of a far-red–absorbing euglenophyte PSI–LhcE–LhcbM supercomplex. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70067-1
Structures in euglenophytes show adaptations that enhance the absorption of far-red light for photosynthesis.
Jiale Wang, Shiyan Ma, Tao Huang, Yun Huang, Ao Xia, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao. Upconversion Nanoparticles Expand the Photosynthetically Active Spectrum of Microalgae into the Near-Infrared for CO2 Biofixation.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6c05138
Converting near-infrared photons into photosynthetically active wavelengths increases microalgal carbon fixation and electron transport.
Alexei Solovchenko, Anatoly Gitelson. The Far-Red Light Absorption and “Redundant Chlorophyll” in Plants: A Waste of Resource or an Important Booster of Photosynthesis?. 2025. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202510.2241.v1
Far-red light absorption beyond the conventional 700 nm boundary contributes significantly to plant productivity and harmonizes energy flow.
Joon Seok Lee, Dong Heon Nam, Su Keun Kuk, Chan Beum Park. Near-infrared-light-driven artificial photosynthesis by nanobiocatalytic assemblies.. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201400136
Near-infrared light can drive artificial photosynthesis and photoenzymatic synthesis using nanobiocatalytic assemblies.
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