Got Terps? Why Dual Red Terp Boost at 640nm + 660nm Is Better Than 660nm Alone

When it comes to cannabis cultivation, not all red light is created equal. Most grow lights rely on a single red wavelength—usually 660nm—to drive photosynthesis. But emerging research shows that combining 640nm + 660nm red light delivers significantly better results in both yield and terpene production. That’s why Mammoth Lighting developed the industry-leading Dual Red Terp Boost spectrum—designed specifically for serious growers who want to maximize quality and performance.

The Problem: 99% of LEDs Only Use 660nm Red

Standard LED grow lights are optimized around 660nm because it aligns with one of the peak absorption points of chlorophyll a. But this ignores another critical piece of the puzzle: chlorophyll b, which absorbs strongly around 640nm.

By only targeting 660nm, most LEDs miss a huge opportunity to increase light-use efficiency, photosynthetic activity, and ultimately—plant productivity.

The Solution: Dual Red Terp Boost™ (640nm + 660nm)

In a 2024 study published in Frontiers in Plant Science, researchers compared cannabis grown under white light with:

• A single red peak at 660nm, and

• A dual red spectrum with 640nm + 660nm

The dual red spectrum consistently outperformed the single red in nearly every category:

“At high PPFD, white light with a dual red peak of 640 and 660 nm increased terpenoid concentrations compared to the single red spectrum. At low PPFD, it improved photosynthetic efficiency and promoted greater dry matter production.”
— Front. Plant Sci. 2024 Jun 18

Key Benefits of Dual Red Terp Boost™:

• Higher Terpenes at high light intensity (PPFD)

• Better Photosynthetic Efficiency at lower light levels

• More Inflorescence Yield, regardless of lighting conditions

• Improved Light-Use Efficiency, meaning more growth per watt

The Science: Why 640nm Matters

Cannabis plants use both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b to absorb light energy. Here's how they work:

• Chlorophyll a: Absorbs mainly at 430nm and 660nm

• Chlorophyll b: Absorbs best at 453nm and 640nm

By including both 640nm and 660nm, you stimulate both chlorophyll types, leading to more efficient photosynthesis and better energy conversion into biomass and secondary metabolites (like terpenes and cannabinoids).

Don’t Leave Terpenes on the Table

Most LEDs on the market today still focus on 660nm alone—meaning they’re only telling half the story. Mammoth Lighting’s Dual Red Terp Boost™ technology is backed by science and designed for growers who want more flavor, aroma, and yield from every harvest.

Got Dual Red Terp Boost™? 99% of LEDs Don’t.

Got Mammoth?

Sources:

• Frontiers in Plant Science, 2024 – Red and White Light in Cannabis

• PubMed Central – PMC11217568