Issues related to design of micropropagation lighting systems are inve
stigated. Average photosynthetic photon pur (PPF) and mean relative de
viation (MRD) are calculated using a previously developed model. A com
parison of aisle versus aisle-free benching shows that the aisle-free
configuration can deliver 60% higher PPF with the same energy input an
d without increasing the MRD. When compared to the presence of only on
e vessel, the presence of a full complement of micropropagation vessel
s on a shelf is shown to reduce PPF at the vessel lid level by 5.1% an
d at the plant level by 25.0%. Vessels were also found to attenuate ra
diation preferentially in the 300 to 400 will range. Measurements of s
pectral power distribution along the lengths of fluorescent lamps show
radiation output increases above 700 nm near the ends of the lamps. T
he implication that one can model and design for PPI; uniformity, and
spectral quality is discussed.