Pigment is one of the most important elements for plant production. It goes without saying that colorful, vibrant fruits and vegetables are preferred. When walking down an aisle at a grocery store, the produce section lures in people with basket overflowing with bright, colorful, and healthy looking fruits and vegetables. From a sales perspective, farmers and growers who are able to harvest vibrantly colored crops are placed in a position to make much higher profits per yield. Therefore, understanding the benefits of pigments directly relates to a farms’ bottom line and this is critical for growers trying to run a successful business. Flowers are another plant product that requires rich pigment. Colors in flowers attract buyers and make for greater sales. Certainly, pigment linked to plants means big sales, but it runs deeper than that.

The most major and important plant pigments are as follows:

• Chlorophyll
• Flavonoid
• Carotene
• Betalain
• Anthocyanins

These pigments play a bigger role than simply making flowers, fruits, and vegetables look vibrant and full of color, they also help to continue natural plant development while promoting healthy growth. Photosynthesis in plants is due in major part to pigments. The colors red, yellow, and green capture the light’s energy and then promote growth for the crops. As a result, adequate pigmentation means healthier, stronger harvests. Finally, pigmentation also has a big hand in adding sweetness in fruits, another link to better sales.

When it comes to flowers, bright pigment helps to attract insects which, in turn, promote proper pollination. This is essential for flowers to thrive. As plants move along in the development process, pigmentation becomes more and more important. Bring it back to sales, growers who are able to harness the powers of proper pigmentation will find that more and more customers are seeking their produce. Pay attention to the color of your plants, it will mean higher profits and better overall success for your farm.