Plant growth acceleration using a transparent Eu3+-painted UV-to-red conversion film
S. Shoji, Hideyuki Saito, Yutaka Jitsuyama, Kotono Tomita, Qiang Haoyang, Yukiho Sakurai, Yuhei Okazaki, Kota Aikawa, Yuki Konishi, Kensei Sasaki, Koji Fushimi, Yuichi Kitagawa, Takashi Suzuki, Yasuchika Hasegawa
Abstract
Abstract The stimulation of photosynthesis is a strategy for achieving sustainable plant production. Red light is useful for plant growth because it is absorbed by chlorophyll pigments, which initiate natural photosynthetic processes. Ultraviolet (UV)-to-red wavelength-converting materials are promising candidates for eco-friendly plant cultures that do not require electric power. In this study, transparent films equipped with a UV-to-red wavelength-converting luminophore, the Eu 3+ complex, were prepared on commercially available plastic films for plant growth experiments. The present Eu 3+ -based films absorb UV light and exhibit strong red luminescence under sunlight. Eu 3+ -painted films provide significant growth acceleration with size increment and biomass production for vegetal crops and trees in a northern region. The plants cultured with Eu 3+ -painted films had a 1.2-fold height and 1.4-fold total body biomass than those cultures without the Eu 3+ luminophores. The present film can promote the plant production in fields of agriculture and forestry.