PPFD to DLI Calculator

DLI Formula:

\[ DLI = \frac{PPFD \times 3600 \times Hours}{1,000,000} \]

DLI (mol/m²/day):

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1. What is a PPFD to DLI Calculator?

Definition: This calculator converts Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) to Daily Light Integral (DLI) based on exposure time.

Purpose: It helps growers, horticulturists, and researchers understand the total amount of photosynthetically active light plants receive in a day.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ DLI = \frac{PPFD \times 3600 \times Hours}{1,000,000} \]

Where:

\( DLI \) — Daily Light Integral (mol/m²/day)
\( PPFD \) — Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (µmol/m²/s)
\( Hours \) — Daily exposure time (hours)

Explanation: The formula converts instantaneous light measurements (PPFD) to cumulative daily light (DLI) by accounting for exposure duration.

3. Importance of DLI Calculation

Details: DLI is crucial for plant growth as different species have specific light requirements. Proper DLI ensures optimal photosynthesis and plant development.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the PPFD value from your light meter (in µmol/m²/s) and the number of hours the plants will be exposed to light each day.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is PPFD?
A: PPFD measures the number of photosynthetically active photons (400-700nm) that reach a surface per second (µmol/m²/s).

Q2: What is DLI?
A: DLI measures the total number of photons received in a full photoperiod (mol/m²/day), important for plant growth.

Q3: What's a typical DLI requirement?
A: Most vegetables need 12-30, while shade plants may need 6-12. Cannabis typically requires 20-40 mol/m²/day.

Q4: Why 3600 in the formula?
A: 3600 converts seconds to hours (60 seconds × 60 minutes). The 1,000,000 converts micromoles to moles.

Q5: Can I use this for natural sunlight?
A: Yes, but remember sunlight PPFD varies throughout the day. Use average PPFD measurements for accurate results.