<p>A set of MgAl₂O₄ aluminate-based phosphors doped with Bi³⁺ (0.01–0.04) and co-doped with alkali cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) was synthesized for the blue lighting application. The refinement of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirms cubic crystalline structure. When monitored with 424&#xa0;nm, all phosphors under study showed strong absorption peak at 345&#xa0;nm. Hence, excitation with 345&#xa0;nm results in intense photoluminescence (PL) emission at 424&#xa0;nm, ascribed to Bi³⁺ emission transition ³P₁-¹S₀. Among the Bi³⁺ single-doped samples, MgAl₂O₄:0.03 Bi³⁺ exhibited optimal PL intensity, while further doping led to concentration quenching. The decay time for all the phosphor seems to fall within microsecond range and reducing with decreasing Bi³⁺ doping concentration. To applied the co-doping strategy, MgAl₂O₄:0.03 Bi³⁺ phosphor co-doped with alkali metals (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺). Co-doping with Li⁺ an K⁺ ions enhancing the PL intensity by factors of approximately 1.2 and 1.5, respectively, while co-doping of Na⁺ not contributed much. By means of photometric results, it is found that the phosphor showed highly color pure blue emission. The comparison emission spectrum of the phosphor with the absorption spectrum chlorophyll a suggests significant similarity, thus the phosphor have potential to be utilized in plant growth lighting.</p>