A hydroponic system provides photosynthetic light intensities from below a plant, e.g., underneath the leaves of the plant, to accelerate the photosynthesis process in plants. The hydroponic system may further include gas supply tubes underneath the leaves and the gas supply tubes may be integrated with an under-lighting system. The under-leaf lighting system can be used with lighting from above the plant, e.g., direct sunlight or through artificial lighting, to increase the total plant area exposed to light suitable for photosynthesis.