There are claims on *many* indoor LED grow-light websites that their color balance is just right for plants. MMJ included.
But there are VERY few facts and peer-reviewed studies.
LEDs are not even close to fluorescents in luminous efficacy, on the real market -- only in the laboratory. Halide and low pressure sodium lamps are far ahead of all of them, but the minimum is about 150 watts on those...not exactly an off-grid seed starting scenario.
Charts upon request.
ADMIN
Very true, currently, even the high powered 3+ watt LEDs don't come close to lumens of even standard CFLs,.
However it's not the amount of light; it's the wavelength the plants are using in a much more efficient way.
Peer-review would certainly be a good idea, and very much need. I would even be willing to do one, but the cost of Halides or sodium are out of my price range.
One test I am gearing up to do this coming winter is using a 3 spot Aerogrow fluro-based unit and one exactly like it except with the fluro-bulbs removed and LED setup in its place
These units lend themselves to being great for standardized testing since they have built in programing that will turn on the lights and water/food pumps.
I will put them into different rooms so there's no light fall to skew the results.
Simple plants I'm thinking of using are mainly herbs for fast tell of growth, and possibly Cherry sized tomatoes because they are easy container grown and I like to eat them in the winter
Cheers;
Bruce S