Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

So which color light do tomato plants prefer? (While they DON'T have tomatoes or flowers yet; just leafs)

Clear (normal sunlight), blue, red, or green?

Can anyone order the preferences from most preferred to least?

Thanks.

Hi,

Are you doing this project or something similar?

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p015.shtml

The introduction section of the project includes a partial explanation of how plants use chlorophyll to trap energy using different wavelengths of light.

The Wikipedia article on photosynthesis includes a more detailed explanation and includes references that you could use in your background information. The specific information you need is in the “Light reactions,” section. Plants, including green tomato plants absorb light in the violet-blue and red wavelengths of the visible light spectrum. The nonabsorbed wavelengths give the plants their green color.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis

I hope this helps. Please let us know if you need more help with your science project.


Donna Hardy