Manipulation of light environment for optimising photoreceptor activity towards enhancing plant traits of agronomic and horticultural importance in crops

Artificial lighting systems have tremendously aided the provision of efficient energy for photosynthesis in crop plants but these are seldom fine-tuned to optimally regulate plant growth. Plants are endowed with photoreceptors that enable them to utilise light of different wavelengths as cues for growth and development. These photoreceptors initiate downstream signalling pathways that modulate gene expression which regulates growth and development in the plant. Numerous studies have described these photoreceptors as biochemical switches that can be selectively regulated to control plant growth and development. The rapid advances in our understanding of plant photo-sensory processes, have propelled efforts to extend these findings to the design of plant growth strategies aimed at enhancing plant traits of agronomic importance in crops by manipulating the light environment. Here, we provide an overview of the different known plant photoreceptors and how the quality, quantity or duration of light can affect plant traits such as yield, quality/nutrition, disease/pathogen resistance and flowering; that can enhance the agricultural and/or horticultural value of crops. The objective of the review is to highlight the potential of (and need for) transfer of information gained from laboratory experiments, for optimising photoreceptor activity towards improving specific plant traits, thereby facilitating sustainable and market-oriented crop production in agricultural and horticultural crops along with enhancement in yield and nutrition.