Comparison and perspective of conventional and LED lighting for photobiology and industry applications

•Spectral shifting exists in all electrical lighting environment.•Distinct spectra were observed at 595 nm for HPS luminaires.•External environment factors should be considered when using electrical lighting systems. A vast interest in plant photobiological responses is growing in both academia and commercial sectors, due to rapid developments in electrical lighting technology. Each lighting technology has its own advantages and corresponding applications, as well as disadvantages. The advantages of light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been reviewed extensively, supporting them as suitable lighting sources to investigate plant photobiological responses. However, conventional lighting sources possess some properties that cannot be met by LEDs. In this work, we provide a different perspective when considering electrical lighting system applications in plant photobiology, including wavelength availability, longevity, spectral reliability, and light uniformity. Optical and electrical components are addressed with respect to both laboratory use and greenhouse operations. The latest research findings on how different lighting sources (spectral compositions) influence the physiology of plants are presented, and current challenges for LED technology with respect to plant photobiology are discussed. Electrical lighting systems benefit the plant photobiology field in numerous ways, but comprehensive knowledge of external environment factors is required, rather than choosing the latest lighting technology.