Bio-inspired LED Lighting and Nutrient Supplementation for Sustainable Wolffia globosa Cultivation

This study demonstrates an effective cultivation protocol for Wolffia globosa through a bio-inspired approach. Light parameters from the plant's natural, shaded habitats (PPFD ~44 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) were first characterized to calibrate a laboratory LED system. The experiment revealed that a one-time nutrient supplementation at initiation was the critical factor for sustained growth. While all treatments were exposed to the same light regimen, the unenriched groups (C, T1, T2, and T5) experienced a "bloom-and-bust" cycle, with growth ceasing after day 9. In contrast, treatments supplemented with N-P-K fertilizer (T3 and T4) maintained a positive specific growth rate (SGR) throughout the 15-day experimental period (max SGR 0.11–0.23 day⁻¹). This finding provides a practical proof-of-concept demonstrating that a low-energy, bio-inspired lighting strategy is sufficient for cultivating W. globosa in closed systems, provided the plant's fundamental nutrient requirements are satisfied. This study presents a sustainable, energy-efficient alternative to conventional high-intensity lighting methods for aquatic plant production.