Abstract
Biofeedback control of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting based on real-time photosynthetic performance offers a promising framework for plant-responsive light management in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). While the short-term feasibility of electron transport rate (ETR)-based light regulation has been demonstrated, its long-term performance remains untested. This study evaluated the ETR-based biofeedback lighting control system over an entire crop cycle of lettuce under three target ETR levels (55, 90, and 125 μmol m(-2) s(-1)) in a climate-controlled growth chamber. The system continuously monitored the quantum yield of photosystem II (Φ(PSII)) and adjusted photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) every 15 min to maintain the target ETR, used as an indirect proxy for carbon assimilation. Target ETRs were maintained within ±2.5% with minimal variability among replicates, and the corresponding average PPFDs (means ± standard deviations) were 183.5 ± 5.4, 316.1 ± 14.3, and 457.3 ± 23.5 μmol m(-2) s(-1), respectively. Despite stable environmental conditions, the system dynamically responded to both diurnal and long-term acclimation in terms of photosynthetic efficiency. PPFD was reduced during the early photoperiod, when Φ(PSII) was high, and increased in the late photoperiod to compensate for the decline in Φ(PSII). Under the target ETR of 125 μmol m(-2) s(-1), Φ(PSII) increased over time, enabling a 14% reduction in PPFD while maintaining a stable ETR, highlighting the potential for reduced light input as plants acclimated. These results demonstrate the long-term feasibility and stability of plant-responsive, CF-based biofeedback lighting control for precise and replicable regulation of photochemical energy input in CEA crop production.