High light intensity improves yield, potency and quality of a cannabis harvest. Increasing PAR intensity from 600 to 1,000 µmols/m²/second can improve yield by 69%, potency by 40% and terpenes (taste and flavour) by 70%.
A recent study by the Horticulture and product physiology department in the Wageningen university in the Netherlands (link below) details their methods and results.
PAR intensity of 1,000 µmols/m²/second produces 69% more flower mass than 600 µmols/m²/second
Adding more light energy and increasing light intensity by 67% increases dry flower yield by 69%. This demonstrates a very good return for increasing the grow light output. Cannabis is known to efficiently absorb even higher intensity up to 1,300 µmols/m²/second in the 12 hour flowering cycle.
Increasing PAR intensity also increases cannabinoids and terpenes significantly
Not only does yield increase but the concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes also improves. In the experiment Cannabinoids including THC and CBD increased by an average of 40% when PAR intensity increased from 600 to 1,000 µmols/m²/second.
Conclusion
As LED grow light technology improves and becomes cheaper it is possible for the home grower to increase light intensity and therefore the quality of their cannabis harvest. Cheaper and more efficient LED grow lights mean growers can afford to upgrade to improve their setup.
