An open-source controller to build a dynamic light intensity setup

Ludovico Caracciolo; John Philippi; Tom P J M Theeuwen; Herbert van Amerongen; Jeremy Harbinson

doi:10.1186/s13007-024-01159-6

An open-source controller to build a dynamic light intensity setup

Plant Methods. 2024 Feb 28;20(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s13007-024-01159-6.

Authors

Ludovico Caracciolo¹, John Philippi², Tom P J M Theeuwen³, Herbert van Amerongen^{2

4}, Jeremy Harbinson²

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Biophysics, Wageningen University, 6700 ET, Wageningen, The Netherlands. ludovico.caracciolo@wur.nl.
² Laboratory of Biophysics, Wageningen University, 6700 ET, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
³ Jan IngenHousz Institute, Bornsesteeg 48, 6708 PE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
⁴ MicroSpectroscopy Research Facility, Wageningen University, 6700 ET, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Background: The development and physiology of plants are influenced by light intensity and its changes. Despite the significance of this phenomenon, there is a lack of understanding regarding the processes light regulates. This lack of understanding is partly due to the complexity of plant's responses, but also due to the limited availability of light setups capable of producing specific light patterns.

Results: While unraveling the complexities of plant responses will require further studies, this research proposes a simple method to implement dynamic light setups. In this study, we introduce two distinct electronic circuits that are cost-effective and enable the control of a dimmable power supply.

Conclusion: This method enables the generation of intricate light patterns and rapid intensity fluctuations, providing a means to investigate how plants respond and develop when exposed to dynamic light conditions.

Keywords: Fluctuating light; Light controller; Open-source; Photosynthesis.