There is an urgent need to find environmentally sustainable technologies that help to address the challenges related to increasing global demand for energy and food. Horticultural lighting allows for year-round cultivation of vegetable crops independent of weather conditions or season of the year. However, high energy prices, environmental impact and market competition are threatening this industry. Although understanding the principles and processes behind human responses to light and lighting is important, the investigation of similar aspects for plants deserves more attention from the lighting research community. This paper provides an overview of the present and future challenges facing horticultural lighting and food production in the context of a food- and fuel-hungry world.
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