SUMMARY Using the data supplied in the Final Report on Space Power System Brightness (1), we have assessed the potential impact of reflected light on the growth and development of plants. During daylight hours when the phytochrome pigment system has reached a photostationary state during the first few minutes of daylight, the effects of diffuse or specular reflection on plant development can be discounted. Furthermore, since leaves are normally oriented to full sunlight, the additional specular reflectance from SPS is unlikely to influence any aspect of the light harvesting process. At nighttime, plants are sensitive to low level illumination and the flowering process is the developmental event most likely to be influenced by low level irradiation. Even the worst case geometry levels of radiation however are not thought to be either of sufficient intensity or duration to influence flowering or other developmental processes.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==