Date:

2026-07-06

Impact Factor:

0.8

Title of Paper:

Research advances in photon management for controlled environment agriculture

Journal:

SCIENTIA SINICA Physica, Mechanica & Astronomica

Key Words:

agri-photonics, photosynthesis, spectral control, thermal management, radiative cooling

Summary:

Global food security and energy sustainability are under increasing pressure due to continuous population growth and the
escalating effects of climate change. Agriphotonics, an emerging interdisciplinary field, offers a promising technological
pathway for advancing Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) by enabling precise regulation of light quality
(spectral distribution), intensity, and photoperiod. This review consolidates recent advancements in photon management
technologies for CEA systems, focusing on three key areas of research: (1) active spectral modulation strategies using
programmable lighting to precisely match the photosynthetic needs of crops; (2) passive photon management through
wavelength-conversion materials to optimize solar spectrum utilization and enhance light-use efficiency; and (3) the
integrated application of photon management with radiative cooling technologies to jointly regulate the light-thermal
environment, alleviating heat stress in crops. Evidence suggests that these photonics-based approaches can significantly
improve crop light-use efficiency, yield, and quality, while also reducing the energy consumption of CEA systems, thus
contributing to a more sustainable agricultural future.

Volume:

56

Issue:

4

Page Number:

240004

Translation or Not:

No

Date of Publication:

2026-03-16

Included Journals:

SCI