Question

A gardener is concerned that her greenhouse is getting too hot from too much light and seeks to shade her plants with colored translucent plastic sheets, the color of which allows passage of only that wavelength. What color should she use to reduce overall light energy, but still maximize plant growth?

Answer 1

Blue or red color

Step-by-step explanation:

Photosynthesis is necessary for continued survival and growth of plants. In order to maximize growth, photosynthesis must be maximized.

Various research have reported that photosynthesis in green plant is optimized at blue (425–450 nm) and red (600–700 nm) region of visible light. Other components of visible light are not useful for photosynthesis but rather contribute to heat build-up in various plant tissues.

Hence, in order to reduce heat and maximize photosynthesis (and growth), blue or red colored translucent plastic sheets should be used by the gardener.