Laser in agriculture

Abstract

A b s t r a c t. The present review has been timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the LASER invention and this coincides with the current worldwide problems: climate change, energy, water supply, poverty, inequalities, and the population need for food. For example, one of the problems worldwide is the quantity and quality of agricultural seeds and foods. In developing countries this is more apparent, causing various diseases and malnutrition. In this review the utility of the laser technique when applied to agriculture has been addressed. The review has shown its applicability to one of the plant’s phenological stages so that it can contribute to improve agricultural productivity and quality. Moreover, its application may be regarded as a sustainable method existing today, one invention from the past to the future. K e y w o r d s: laser, biostimulation, seeds, photoreceptors, agriculture