What Is PPFD And Its Importance In Cannabis Growing
PPFD stands for Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density and it is a measure of the amount of photosynthetically active light (PAR) that reaches a specific area per second. The unit of measurement for PPFD is micromoles per square meter per second (µmol/m²/s) and it is an important consideration when selecting grow lights for cannabis cultivation.
PPFD is a more accurate measurement of the amount of light that plants are receiving compared to other light measurements, such as lux or lumens, which are based on human vision and do not accurately represent the amount of light that plants can use for photosynthesis.
PPFD takes into account the quality of light, as well as the intensity, and is measured using a PAR meter. The higher the PPFD, the more intense the light is, and the more photons of light are available for photosynthesis. PPFD can vary depending on the type of grow light being used, the distance between the light source and the plants, and the angle of the light.
When growing cannabis, it is important to select grow lights that provide a sufficient amount of PPFD for the plants. During the vegetative stage, cannabis plants require a PPFD of around 400 to 600 µmol/m²/s to encourage growth and development. During the flowering stage, cannabis plants require a slightly higher PPFD of around 600 to 1000 µmol/m²/s to encourage the production of buds.
It is also important to note that PPFD can vary depending on the shape and size of the grow area. Growers should aim for a uniform distribution of light across the entire canopy of plants to ensure that all plants are receiving the same amount of light.
In summary, PPFD is a measure of the amount of photosynthetically active light that reaches a specific area per second and it is an important consideration when selecting grow lights for cannabis cultivation. Cannabis plants require different levels of PPFD during different stages of growth, and growers should aim for a uniform distribution of light across the entire canopy of plants to ensure optimal growth and development.
Search our blog:
Further Reading:
- All Blog Posts
- Cannabis Breeders
- Cannabis Breeding
- Cannabis Cannabinoids
- Cannabis Concentrates
- Cannabis Flavonoids
- Cannabis Grow Lighting
- Cannabis Growing
- Cannabis Related News
- Cannabis Science
- Cannabis Strains
- Cannabis Terpenes
- Cannabis Training
- Controlling Environment
- Germinating
- Growing Equipment
- Guest Articles
- Harvesting & Curing
- Hydroponic Growing
- Medical Cannabis
- News & Promotions
- Nutrients
- Pests & Issues
- Soil Growing