Characterizing spectral properties and calculating irradiances are everyday tasks for many researchers in the field of plant photobiology. Varying waveband definitions in use, different photoreceptors found in plants, let alone the difference between expressing light on photon or energy basis can make one’s head spin. To tackle this, a couple of publications and an application are highly recommendable.
Starting from nature of light and its interaction with matter, going through biological light perception and regulation and evolution of photosynthesis; all this and a myriad of another topics, can all be found in the latest edition of ”Photobiology: Science of Life and Light” (edited by Lars Olof Björn).
Beyond the Visible: A handbook of best practice in plant UV photobiology (edited by Pedro J. Aphalo et al.) offers a knowledge base for methods for research on the responses of plants to ultraviolet radiation, dealing with experimentation on ecological, eco-physiological and physiological questions (practical recommendations for obtaining reliable and relevant data and interpretations can be applied beyond UV!).