The growth and morphology of microgreens is associated with modified ascorbate and anthocyanin profiles in response to the intensity of sole-source light-emitting diodes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chase Jones-Baumgardt ◽  
Qinglu Ying ◽  
Youbin Zheng ◽  
Gale G. Bozzo
Keyword(s):  
Light Emitting Diodes ◽  
Photosynthetic Pigment ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Photon Flux Density ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Hypocotyl Length ◽  
Total Anthocyanin ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Phytochemical Profiles

Sole-source light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are alternatives to fluorescent tubes and high intensity discharge lamps that are routinely used for indoor cultivation of horticultural commodities, including microgreens. This study examined the effect of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) from LEDs on phytochemical profiles in organically grown kale, cabbage, arugula, and mustard microgreens, and their association with growth and morphological attributes. LEDs were used to deliver a 15% blue light and 85% red light mixture to microgreens at varying PPFDs between 100 and 600 μmol m-2 s-1. For all microgreens, increased concentrations of ascorbate (total and reduced) and total anthocyanin were proportional to PPFD. Total phenolic concentrations were elevated in all four microgreens at high PPFDs, whereas chlorophyll concentrations declined in arugula cabbage and mustard. A principal component analysis revealed anthocyanins and phenolics were associated with ascorbate levels in all microgreens, but not with chlorophylls or carotenoids. At high PPFDs photosynthetic pigment levels were negatively associated with fresh and dry weight to varying degrees. Anthocyanins, phenolics and ascorbate were negatively correlated with hypocotyl length and the colour attribute hue angle in all microgreens. These results indicate that microgreen growth and morphology are associated with altered phytochemical profiles during cultivation under sole source LEDs.

scholarly journals Light Intensity and Quality from Sole-source Light-emitting Diodes Impact Growth, Morphology, and Nutrient Content of Brassica Microgreens

HortScience ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 497-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua R. Gerovac ◽  
Joshua K. Craver ◽  
Jennifer K. Boldt ◽  
Roberto G. Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Light Emitting Diodes ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Light Sources ◽  
Growth Morphology ◽  
Hypocotyl Length ◽  
Photoelectric Conversion ◽  
Light Emitting

Multilayer vertical production systems using sole-source (SS) lighting can be used for the production of microgreens; however, traditional SS lighting methods can consume large amounts of electrical energy. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer many advantages over conventional light sources, including high photoelectric conversion efficiencies, narrowband spectral light quality (LQ), low thermal output, and adjustable light intensities (LIs). The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of SS LEDs of different light qualities and intensities on growth, morphology, and nutrient content of Brassica microgreens. Purple kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea L. var. gongylodes L.), mizuna (Brassica rapa L. var. japonica), and mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. ‘Garnet Giant’] were grown in hydroponic tray systems placed on multilayer shelves in a walk-in growth chamber. A daily light integral (DLI) of 6, 12, or 18 mol·m−2·d−1 was achieved from commercially available SS LED arrays with light ratios (%) of red:green:blue 74:18:8 (R74:G18:B8), red:blue 87:13 (R87:B13), or red:far-red:blue 84:7:9 (R84:FR7:B9) with a total photon flux (TPF) from 400 to 800 nm of 105, 210, or 315 µmol·m−2·s−1 for 16 hours. Regardless of LQ, as the LI increased from 105 to 315 µmol·m−2·s−1, hypocotyl length (HL) decreased and percent dry weight (DW) increased for kohlrabi, mizuna, and mustard microgreens. With increasing LI, leaf area (LA) of kohlrabi generally decreased and relative chlorophyll content (RCC) increased. In addition, nutrient content increased under low LIs regardless of LQ. The results from this study can help growers to select LIs and LQs from commercially available SS LEDs to achieve preferred growth characteristics of Brassica microgreens.

scholarly journals Light Intensity and Light Quality from Sole-source Light-emitting Diodes Impact Phytochemical Concentrations within Brassica Microgreens

2017 ◽  
Vol 142 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua K. Craver ◽  
Joshua R. Gerovac ◽  
Roberto G. Lopez ◽  
Dean A. Kopsell
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Light Quality ◽  
Light Emitting Diodes ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Phytochemical Content ◽  
Light Intensities ◽  
Phenolic Concentration

Multilayer vertical production systems using sole-source (SS) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be an alternative to more traditional methods of microgreens production. One significant benefit of using LEDs is the ability to select light qualities that have beneficial impacts on plant morphology and the synthesis of health-promoting phytochemicals. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify the impacts of SS LEDs of different light qualities and intensities on the phytochemical content of brassica (Brassica sp.) microgreens. Specifically, phytochemical measurements included 1) total anthocyanins, 2) total and individual carotenoids, 3) total and individual chlorophylls, and 4) total phenolics. Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes), mustard (Brassica juncea ‘Garnet Giant’), and mizuna (Brassica rapa var. japonica) were grown in hydroponic tray systems placed on multilayer shelves in a walk-in growth chamber. A daily light integral (DLI) of 6, 12, or 18 mol·m−2·d−1 was achieved from SS LED arrays with light ratios (percent) of red:blue 87:13 (R87:B13), red:far-red:blue 84:7:9 (R84:FR7:B9), or red:green:blue 74:18:8 (R74:G18:B8) with a total photon flux from 400 to 800 nm of 105, 210, or 315 µmol·m−2·s–1 for 16 hours, respectively. Phytochemical measurements were collected using spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Regardless of light quality, total carotenoids were significantly lower under increasing light intensities for mizuna and mustard microgreens. In addition, light quality affected total integrated chlorophyll with higher values observed under the light ratio of R87:B13 compared with R84:FR7:B9 and R74:G18:B8 for kohlrabi and mustard microgreens, respectively. For kohlrabi, with increasing light intensities, the total concentration of anthocyanins was greater compared with those grown under lower light intensities. In addition, for kohlrabi, the light ratios of R87:B13 or R84:FR7:B9 produced significantly higher anthocyanin concentrations compared with the light ratio of R74:G18:B8 under a light intensity of 315 µmol·m−2·s−1. Light quality also influenced the total phenolic concentration of kohlrabi microgreens, with significantly greater levels for the light ratio of R84:FR7:B9 compared with R74:G18:B8 under a light intensity of 105 µmol·m−2·s−1. However, the impact of light intensity on total phenolic concentration of kohlrabi was not significant. The results from this study provide further insight into the selection of light qualities and intensities using SS LEDs to achieve preferred phytochemical content of brassica microgreens.

Automated measurement of leaf photosynthetic O 2 evolution as a function of photon flux density

1989 ◽  
Vol 323 (1216) ◽  
pp. 313-326 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Flux Density ◽  
Light Emitting Diodes ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Photon Flux Density ◽  
Automated Measurement ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Rate Of Photosynthesis ◽  
Polarographic Measurement

An automated procedure is described that allows the rate of photosynthesis, as a function of photon flux density (PFD), to be determined and plotted within 30 minutes. The method is based on polarographic measurement of O 2 evolution from a piece of leaf enclosed in a chamber and illuminated from above by an array of light-emitting diodes. The light emitted from these diodes is altered by a computer which also facilitates analyses of the data so derived. Applications of the procedure to leaves of shade and sun plants, to studies of photoinhibition and to analysis of the Kok effect, are described.

In vitro culture of Chrysanthemum plantlets using light-emitting diodes

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anželika Kurilčik ◽  
Renata Miklušytė-Čanova ◽  
Stasė Dapkūnienė ◽  
Silva Žilinskaitė ◽  
Genadij Kurilčik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Emitting Diodes ◽  
Spectral Component ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Chrysanthemum Morifolium ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Photon Flux Density ◽  
Shoot Height ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Blue Component

AbstractEffects of illumination spectrum on the morphogenesis of chrysanthemum plantlets (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. ‘Ellen’) grown in vitro were studied using an illumination system consisting of four groups of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the following spectral regions: blue (450nm), red (640nm), red (660nm), and far-red (735nm). Taking into account all differences in shoot height, root length, and fresh and dry weight (FW and DW, respectively), observed while changing the total photon flux density (PFD), the optimal total PFD for growth of chrysanthemum plantlets in vitro was estimated. For 16 h photoperiod and typical fractions of the spectral components (14%, 50%, 28%, and 8%, respectively), the optimal total PFD was found to be 40 µmol m−2 s−1. Our study shows that the blue component in the illumination spectrum inhibits the plantlet extension and formation of roots and simultaneously increases the DW to FW ratio and content of photosynthetic pigments. We demonstrate photomorphogenetic effects in the blue region and its interaction with the fractional PFD of the far-red spectral component. Under constant fractional PFD of the blue component, the root number, length of roots and stems, and fresh weight of the plantlets have a correlated nonmonotonous dependence on the fractional PFD of the far-red component.

scholarly journals Growing lettuce under multispectral light-emitting diodes lamps with adjustable light intensity

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Tosti ◽  
Paolo Benincasa ◽  
Rossano Cortona ◽  
Beatrice Falcinelli ◽  
Michela Farneselli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Light Emitting Diodes ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Photon Flux Density ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Light Spectra ◽  
Use Efficiency

Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) technology offers vast possibilities in plant lighting due to its ability to mix different light frequencies, high energy use efficiency and low heat production combined to long lifespan. In particular, the combined effect of the Blue:Red (B:R) ratio and other frequencies in the central part of the PAR spectrum (CGA, <em>i.e.</em> cyan, green and amber) may be very important, though literature information is scarce. In this paper, the effects of six light spectra from LED technology were tested, <em>i.e.</em>: (i) B:R=0.82 (<em>i.e.</em> similar to sunlight) with CGA (treatment T0), (ii) B:R=0.82 without CGA (T1), (iii) red prevalence (B:R=0.25) without CGA (T2), (iv) blue prevalence (B:R=4) without CGA (T3), (v) red prevalence with CGA (T4) and (vi) blue prevalence with CGA (T5). The experiment was carried out in a walk-in climatic chamber with controlled temperature and relative humidity and an incident PAR photon flux density (PFD) of 300 μmol m<sup>–2</sup> s<sup>–1</sup> (14/10 light/dark photoperiod), generated by multispectral LED lamps with adjustable light intensity. Smooth leaved lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv Gentilina) was used as the test plant and biomass yield (DW, g m<sup>–2</sup>), LAI, soil coverage proportion (SC%), energy-biomass conversion efficiency (E-BCE, kWh g<sup>–1</sup>) and Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE, g mol<sup>–1</sup> photons) were determined. Treatments with red predominance (T2 and T4) showed the highest SC% rates, while those with blue predominance (T3 and T5) showed the lowest. Light spectrum also affected leaf size (<em>i.e. </em>mean leaf area). The highest DW and RUE were observed in T2 and T4, followed by T0, while biomass in T3 and T5 was significantly lower (similar to T1). LAI values were generally high, but treatments with blue predominance showed the lowest LAI values (both with or without CGA). The introduction of intermediate wavelengths (green, cyan and amber) did not bring about significant improvement in DW or RUE, but resulted in reduced energy-biomass conversion efficiency, mainly due to lower architectural efficiency of the CGA LEDs. Future research should clarify how to optimise the light spectra according to the crop growth phases. The adoption of spectra promoting fast growth is fundamental in the early growth, while the use of spectra maximising yield quality may be more important later on.

scholarly journals Intensity of Sole-source Light-emitting Diodes Affects Growth, Yield, and Quality of Brassicaceae Microgreens

HortScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 1168-1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chase Jones-Baumgardt ◽  
David Llewellyn ◽  
Qinglu Ying ◽  
Youbin Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Light Emitting Diodes ◽  
Flux Ratio ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Lighting Environment

Indoor farming is an increasingly popular approach for growing leafy vegetables, and under this production system, artificial light provides the sole source (SS) of radiation for photosynthesis and light signaling. With newer horticultural light-emitting diodes (LEDs), growers have the ability to manipulate the lighting environment to achieve specific production goals. However, there is limited research on LED lighting specific to microgreen production, and available research shows that there is variability in how microgreens respond to their lighting environment. The present study examined the effects of SS light intensity (LI) on growth, yield, and quality of kale (Brassica napus L. ‘Red Russian’), cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.), arugula (Eruca sativa L.), and mustard (Brassica juncea L. ‘Ruby Streaks’) microgreens grown in a walk-in growth chamber. SS LEDs were used to provide six target photosynthetic photon flux density density (PPFD) treatments: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 μmol·m−2·s−1 with a photon flux ratio of 15 blue: 85 red and a 16-hour photoperiod. As LI increased from 100 to 600 μmol·m−2· s−1, fresh weight (FW) increased by 0.59 kg·m−2 (36%), 0.70 kg·m−2 (56%), 0.71 kg·m−2 (76%), and 0.67 kg·m−2 (82%) for kale, cabbage, arugula, and mustard, respectively. Similarly, dry weight (DW) increased by 47 g·m−2 (65%), 45 g·m−2 (69%), 64 g·m−2 (122%), and 65 g·m−2 (145%) for kale, cabbage, arugula, and mustard, respectively, as LI increased from 100 to 600 μmol·m−2· s−1. Increasing LI decreased hypocotyl length and hue angle linearly in all genotypes. Saturation of cabbage and mustard decreased linearly by 18% and 36%, respectively, as LI increased from 100 to 600 μmol·m−2·s−1. Growers can use the results of this study to optimize SS LI for their production systems, genotypes, and production goals.

scholarly journals Supplemental Far-red Light-emitting Diode Light Increases Growth of Foxglove Seedlings Under Sole-source Lighting

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 564-569
Author(s):  
Claudia Elkins ◽  
Marc W. van Iersel
Keyword(s):  
Flux Density ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Light Emitting Diode ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Photon Flux Density ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Light Intensities

Seedlings may be grown indoors where environmental conditions can be precisely controlled to ensure consistent and reliable production. The optimal spectrum for production under sole-source lighting is currently unknown. Far-red light (λ = 700–800 nm) typically is not a significant part of the spectrum of light-emitting diode (LED) grow lights. However, far-red light is photosynthetically active and can enhance leaf elongation, which may result in larger leaves and increased light interception. We hypothesized that adding far-red light to sole-source lighting would increase the growth of ‘Dalmatian Peach’ foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) seedlings grown under white LED lights, potentially shortening production times. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of far-red light intensities, ranging from 4.0 to 68.8 µmol·m−2·s−1, on the growth and morphology of foxglove seedlings. Foxglove seedlings were grown in a growth chamber with a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 186 ± 6.4 μmol·m−2·s−1 and supplemental far-red light intensities ranging from 4.0 to 68.8 µmol·m−2·s−1. As far-red light increased, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, plant height, and plant height/number of leaves increased by 38% (P = 0.004), 20% (P = 0.029), 38% (P = 0.025), and 34% (P = 0.024), respectively, while root weight fraction decreased 16% (P = 0.034). Although we expected supplemental far-red light to induce leaf and/or stem expansion, specific leaf area and compactness (two measures of morphology) were unaffected. Because a 37% increase in total photon flux density (PPFD plus far-red light) resulted in a 34.5% increase in total plant dry weight, the increased growth likely was due to increased photosynthesis rather than a shade-acclimation response. The growth response was linear across the 4.0 to 68.8 µmol·m−2·s−1 range of far-fed light tested, so we were unable to determine a saturating far-red photon flux density.

scholarly journals Different Microgreen Genotypes Have Unique Growth and Yield Responses to Intensity of Supplemental PAR from Light-emitting Diodes during Winter Greenhouse Production in Southern Ontario, Canada

HortScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chase Jones-Baumgardt ◽  
David Llewellyn ◽  
Youbin Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Photon Flux Density ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Hypocotyl Length ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Greenhouse Growers

Low natural daily light integrals (DLIs) are a major limiting factor for greenhouse production during darker months (e.g., October to February in Canada). Supplemental lighting (SL) is commonly used to maintain crop productivity and quality during these periods, particularly when the supply chain demands consistent production levels year-round. What remains to be determined are the optimum SL light intensities (LIs) for winter production of a myriad of different commodities. The present study investigated the growth and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., ‘Black oil’), kale (Brassica napus L., ‘Red Russian’), arugula (Eruca sativa L.), and mustard (Brassica juncea L., ‘Ruby Streaks’), grown as microgreens, in a greenhouse under SL light-emitting diode (LED) photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) levels ranging from 17.0 to 304 μmol·m−2·s−1 with a 16-hour photoperiod (i.e., supplemental DLIs from 1.0 to 17.5 mol·m−2·d−1). Crops were sown in a commercial greenhouse near Hamilton, ON, Canada (lat. 43°14′N, long. 80°07′W) on 1 Feb. 2018, and harvested after 8, 11, 12, and 12 days, resulting in average natural DLIs of 6.5, 5.9, 6.2, and 6.2 mol·m−2·d−1 for sunflower, kale, arugula, and mustard, respectively. Corresponding total light integrals (TLIs) ranged from 60 to 188 mol·m−2 for sunflower, 76 to 258 mol·m−2 for kale, 86 to 280 mol·m−2 for arugula, and 86 to 284 mol·m−2 for mustard. Fresh weight (i.e., marketable yield) increased asymptotically with increasing LI and leaf area increased linearly with increasing LI, in all genotypes. Hypocotyl length of mustard decreased and hypocotyl diameter of sunflower, arugula, and mustard increased with increasing LI. Dry weight, robust index, and relative chlorophyll content increased and specific leaf area decreased in kale, arugula, and mustard with increasing LI. Commercial microgreen greenhouse growers can use the light response models described herein to predict relevant production metrics according to the available (natural and supplemental) light levels to select the most appropriate SL LI to achieve the desired production goals as economically as possible.

scholarly journals Seedling Growth Is Similar under Supplemental Greenhouse Lighting from High-pressure Sodium Lamps or Light-emitting Diodes

HortScience ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian R. Poel ◽  
Erik S. Runkle
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Petunia Hybrida ◽  
Light Emitting Diodes ◽  
Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Photon Flux Density ◽  
Common Environment ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
White Leds ◽  
Subsequent Flowering

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have the potential to replace high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps as the main delivery method of supplemental lighting (SL) in greenhouses. However, few studies have compared growth under the different lamp types. We grew seedlings of geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum), pepper (Capsicum annuum), petunia (Petunia ×hybrida), snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) at 20 °C under six lighting treatments: five that delivered a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 90 μmol·m−2·s−1 from HPS lamps (HPS90) or LEDs [four treatments composed of blue (B, 400–500 nm), red (R, 600–700 nm), or white LEDs] and one that delivered 10 μmol·m−2·s−1 from HPS lamps (HPS10), which served as a control with matching photoperiod. Lamps operated for 16 h·d−1 for 14 to 40 days, depending on cultivar and season. The LED treatments defined by their percentages of B, green (G, 500–600 nm), and R light were B10R90, B20R80, B10G5R85, and B15G5R80, whereas the HPS treatments emitted B6G61R33. Seedlings of each cultivar grown under the 90 μmol·m−2·s−1 SL treatments had similar dry shoot weights and all except pepper had a similar plant height, leaf area, and leaf number. After transplant to a common environment, geranium ‘Ringo Deep Scarlet’ and petunia ‘Single Dreams White’ grown under HPS90 flowered 3 days earlier than those grown under HPS10, but flowering time was not different from that in LED treatments. There were no consistent differences in morphology or subsequent flowering among seedlings grown under HPS90 and LED SL treatments. The inclusion of white light in the LED treatments played an insignificant role in growth and development when applied as SL with the background ambient light. The LED fixtures in this study consumed substantially less electricity than the HPS lamps while providing the same PPFD, and seedlings produced were of similar quality, making LEDs a suitable technology option for greenhouse SL delivery.

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