Researchers from South China Agricultural University have created glowing plants by pumping leaves with phosphorescent chemicals, claiming “unprecedented brightness” and a step towards sustainable lighting systems. However, the process is questionable as it involves physically injecting compounds into the plant’s leaves, which may fade over time and raise environmental concerns.
The concept of creating glowing plants has been around for decades, but making them bright enough for human eyes to see has proven challenging. A 2013 Kickstarter project failed to deliver on its promise, while the US biotech company Light Bio launched the Firefly Petunia, a genetically modified plant with a limited glow. The current method of adding phosphors to plants is more efficient than photosynthesis but raises concerns about cheating nature.
The problem lies in converting energy captured by photosynthesis into light, which is inefficient. Most plants capture less than 2% of the light they receive, leaving little energy for conversion. This inefficiency is likely why animals don’t bother with photosynthesis instead of stealing energy from plants.
Researchers have found a way to distribute phosphor nanoparticles evenly inside succulent leaves, allowing them to create brightly colored glowing plants. However, this method feels like a cheap gimmick and raises concerns about pollution when the plants die. The lack of discussion on environmental and safety aspects in the team’s paper is also alarming.
If plants were genetically engineered to produce biodegradable persistent phosphors, it would be a different story. This could potentially boost photosynthesis efficiency by temporarily storing light. While this idea is promising, it highlights the importance of genuine, sustainable solutions rather than shortcuts like injecting phosphors into plants.
Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2494055-glow-in-the-dark-plants-to-replace-streetlights-forget-it