Skip to content

Just added to your cart

    Qty:
    View cart ()
    Questions?
    (720) 420-1209
    • Where to Buy
    • Wholesalers
    • FAQs
    • Search
    • Sign In

    Black Dog LED Black Dog LED

      • Commercial Growing
      • Home Growing
      • Phytomax-3 Commercial LED Grow Lights
      • PhytoMAX-3 Professional LED Grow Lights
      • PhytoMAX-3 Home LED Grow Lights
      • PhytoMAX-3 Power and Data Connectors
      • PhytoMAX-2 LED Grow Lights
      • Grow Room Optics
      • Grow Kits
      • Accessories
      • Superior Yields
      • Unique Science Based Spectrum
      • Case Studies / Testimonials
      • Leaf Surface Temperature
      • All Articles
      • All Videos
      • Calculators
      • Home Growing
      • Commercial Growing
      • Spectrum / Color
      • Light Measurements / Comparing Lights
      • Product Design
      • Deployment / Installation
      • All Categories
      • Our Story
      • News & Press
    • Contact
    • Cart
      0 items
      Products
      • Commercial Growing
      • Home Growing
      • Phytomax-3 Commercial LED Grow Lights
      • PhytoMAX-3 Professional LED Grow Lights
      • PhytoMAX-3 Home LED Grow Lights
      • PhytoMAX-3 Power and Data Connectors
      • PhytoMAX-2 LED Grow Lights
      • Grow Room Optics
      • Grow Kits
      • Accessories
      Our Technology
      • Superior Yields
      • Unique Science Based Spectrum
      • Case Studies / Testimonials
      • Leaf Surface Temperature
      Education
      • All Articles
      • All Videos
      • Calculators
      • Home Growing
      • Commercial Growing
      • Spectrum / Color
      • Light Measurements / Comparing Lights
      • Product Design
      • Deployment / Installation
      • All Categories
      About Black Dog
      • Our Story
      • News & Press
      Contact
    • My Cart
    • Where to Buy
    • Wholesalers
    • FAQs
    • Sign In
    Search
    Home / Education / Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR)
    Access Denied
    IMPORTANT! If you’re a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts

    Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR)

    What it is, and Why it Matters

    Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) refers to one way of measuring the range of light wavelengths (400–700 nanometers [nm]) that can be used for photosynthesis (see absorption range for photosynthesis chart above). This range covers the visible spectrum of light, which includes red (700–635 nm), orange (635–590 nm), yellow (590–560 nm), green (560–490 nm), blue (490–450 nm), and violet (450–400 nm) wavelengths. Plants obtain the most light energy from the red, blue, and violet portions of the spectrum because these wavelengths are the most readily absorbed by chlorophyll, the main pigment in plants. In order to determine whether plants are receiving the correct spectrum for efficient photosynthesis, it is important to measure the PAR value of the light being used. Typically, a higher PAR value equals increased growth and healthier plants. PAR can be expressed in energy units, as watts per square meter (wm-2), or in quantum units, as micromoles of quanta per second per square meter (µmol s-1 m-2).

    As noted above, PAR is one way of measuring light that places more importance on specific wavelengths that are useful in powering photosynthesis. Another common but less accurate measurement of the quality of light put out by a light source is luminous flux, given in units of lumens or lux. We address lumens and why they aren’t relevant when assessing the quality of a light source for growing plants in the article found here. This means that two lights can have the same lumen rating but one could have a significantly higher PAR rating if it uses more of the wavelengths used during the process of photosynthesis.

    At Black Dog LED we use a Spectroradiometer to test all of our lights -as well as others on the market- to ensure that we continue to deliver the most powerful lights available for growing plants.

    While PAR is useful, it isn't a perfect measure of how a grow light will perform. Click here to visit our FAQ and learn more.

    If you are interested in learning more about photosynthesis click here.

    • Share Share on Facebook
    • Tweet Tweet on Twitter
    Back to Education
    Invalid password
    Enter
    Black Dog LED

    Products

    • PhytoMAX-2 LED Grow Lights
    • Grow Room Optics
    • Grow Kits
    • Accessories

    Our Technology

    • Unique Science Based Spectrum
    • Superior Yields
    • Case Studies / Testimonials
    • Leaf Surface Temperature

    Education

    • Home Growing
    • Commercial Growing
    • Spectrum / Color
    • Light Measurements / Comparing Lights
    • Product Design
    • Deployment / Installation
    • All Categories

    Quick Resources

    • Growing 101
    • Galleries
    • Growing Calculators

    Blackdog LED

    6309 Monarch Park Pl., Suite 103
    Niwot, CO 80503

    720-420-1209
    800-380-2291
    Fax: 720-506-4279

    Office Hours:
    M-F: 9 am - 5 pm
    M-F: After 5 By Appointment
    Sat - Sun: By Appointment

    Products
    • PhytoMAX-2 LED Grow Lights
    • Grow Room Optics
    • Grow Kits
    • Accessories
    Our Technology
    • Unique Science Based Spectrum
    • Superior Yields
    • Case Studies / Testimonials
    • Leaf Surface Temperature
    Education
    • Home Growing
    • Commercial Growing
    • Spectrum / Color
    • Light Measurements / Comparing Lights
    • Product Design
    • Deployment / Installation
    • All Categories
    Quick Resources
    • Growing 101
    • Galleries
    • Growing Calculators
    Blackdog LED

    6309 Monarch Park Pl., Suite 103
    Niwot, CO 80503

    720-420-1209
    800-380-2291
    Fax: 720-506-4279

    Office Hours:
    M-F: 9 am - 5 pm
    M-F: After 5 By Appointment
    Sat - Sun: By Appointment

    • About
    • Retailers
    • Blog
    • FAQs
    • Shipping
    • Affiliate Program
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Warranty
    © 2023 Black Dog Horticulture Technologies & Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
    Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device
    • Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
    • Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.