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Conversion - Instantaneous PPFD to Integrated PPFD

Most light meters measure the instantaneous photosynthetic photon ux density in µmol m-2 s-1 and yet plant growth is determined by the integrated daily photosynthetic photon ux density in mol m-2 d-1.

Here is how to convert from µmol m-2 s-1 to mol m-2 d-1 when using electric lights.

There are 3600 seconds in an hour. If the electric light output is constant, the instantaneous PPFD can be added up (integrated) over an hour.

Therefore 1 µmol m-2 s-1 = 3600 µmol m-2 h-1.

This must be divided by a million(106) to convert from micromoles to moles: 3600 µmol m-2 h-1 = 0.0036 mol m-2 h-1.

If the electric lights are on continuously (24 hours), the hourly PPFD must be multiplied by 24 to get the daily PPFD: 0.0036 mol m-2 h-1 = 0.0864 mol m-2 d-1.

There are 86,400 seconds in a day (3600 x 24 hours) so the daily PPFD can be calculated directly from the instantaneous PPFD from the following equation: µmol m-2 s-1 multiplied by 86,400 and divided by
106 = mol m-2 d-1.

So: 1 µmol m-2 s-1 = 0.0864 mol m-2 d-1 with continuous light

These conversions are accurate only under electric lights. The integrated daily PPFD from sunlight changes during the day so a single measurement cannot be used to estimate daily PPFD.

Daily PPFD Reference Table

24-Hour Photoperiod 16-Hour Photoperiod 12-Hour Photoperiod

Instantaneous PPFD Daily PPFD Instantaneous PPFD Daily PPFD Instantaneous PPFD Daily PPFD
(µmol m-2 s-1) (mol m-2 d-1) (µmol m-2 s-1) (mol m-2 d-1) (µmol m-2 s-1) (mol m-2 d-1)

10 0.864 10 0.567 10 0.432

100 8.64 100 5.67 100 4.32

200 17.28 200 11.52 200 8.64

300 25.92 300 17.28 300 12.96

*600 *51.84 600 34.58 600 25.92

1000 86.40 *1000 *57.60 1000 43.20

2000 172.80 2000 115.20 *1300 *56.23

2000 86.40

*There are 50 to 60 moles per m2 day on sunny summer days in outside areas without any shade.

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