APPLICATION OF LASER RADIATION FOR PLANT GROWTH STIMULATION

Subject of Research. The paper describes the laser stimulation technology for kohlrabi cabbage in the climate of North-West of Russia. The genetic potential of plants is activated as a result of exposure to laser radiation. Method. The method was based on the exciting effect of laser radiation with a wavelength of 650 nm on the plant phytochromes. Due to irradiation, protein and carbohydrate synthesis was accelerated, which leads to an increase in yield. Irradiation was performed at night by a semiconductor laser with a wavelength of 650 nm, a radiation power of 150 mW, and a radiation exposure of 30 seconds. Main Results. The total amount of protein in the collected kohlrabi stem crops in the experimental group samples was higher by 6 % than the corresponding indicators of the control group samples, carbohydrates — by 27 %, and the average weight of the stem crops — by 30 %. Practical Relevance. The proposed technology reduces the use of chemical agents for stimulation of plants growth and protection and, therefore, increases the profitability of crop production and improves its quality.