Whats the difference between sunlight and artificial light? and how do they effect plants?

Answer 1

Although sunlight has a broader range of wavelengths in the visible range for plants, not all those wavelengths of energy are used. Generally plants use mostly red light, and far red light, and can catch other spectra which they will filter into red & far red.

The biggest difference between sunlight & artificial light as far as the plant is concerned, is the intensity. Sunlight is usually 10Xs more intense than artificial light.

The intensity is the big factor that affects the plants. Plants can generally filter almost any light into something usable, but too little light and they can't photosynthesize (produce food!). Plants usually can use a maximum amount of light intensity and then they just kinda plateau as far as photosynthesis not increasing anymore. Artificial light doesn't even get close to maxing out photosynthesis in a lot of plants. Anywho, hope this isn't too confusing! It's quantity that counts more than quality generally....

Answer 2

I do know that sun light is a full spectrum of light (all colors) where as the artificial light won't give the full spectrum of light but it does give enough to produce the same or close to the same effects.