Light regulation of horticultural crop nutrient uptake and utilization

Plants demonstrate dynamic changes in molecular structures under fluctuating light conditions. Accumulating evidence suggests that light plays a vital role in plant growth and morphogenesis. In particular, light has a role in the absorption and utilization of nutrients in plants. Despite significant progress in understanding the mechanism of nutrient acquisition and assimilation, how light affects and regulates ion uptake remains a question. Studies in model plants, Arabidopsis thaliana, suggest that light affects the nutrient utilization in roots through a complex regulatory network; nonetheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the various effects of light on these processes in crop plants remain fragmentary. In this review, we discuss the light effects (light quality, light intensity, and photoperiod) on nutrient uptake and utilization in horticultural crops for optimizing crop productivity and increasing fertilizer use efficiency.