200 Comparison of Spinach Growth and Development Under Broad- and Narrow-spectrum Lighting Sources

Various electric lamp sources have been proposed for growing plants in controlled environments. Although it is desirable for any light source to provide as much photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) as possible, light spectral quality is critical in regard to plant development and morphology. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and microwave lamps are promising light sources that have appealing features for applications in controlled environments. Light-emitting diodes can illuminate a narrow spectrum of light, which corresponds with absorption regions of chlorophyll. The sulfur-microwave lamp uses microwave energy to excite sulfur and argon, which produces a bright, continuous broad-spectrum white light. Compared to conventional broad-spectrum sources, the microwave lamp has higher electrical efficiency, and produces limited ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Experiments were conducted with spinach to test the feasibility of using LEDs and microwave lamps for spinach production in controlled environments. Growth and development comparisons were made during 28-day growth cycles with spinach grown under LED (at various red wavelengths), microwave, cool-white fluorescent, or high-pressure sodium lamps. Plant harvests were conducted at 14, 21, and 28 days after planting. At each harvest under all broad-spectrum light sources, spinach leaf growth and photosynthetic responses were similar. Major differences were observed in terms of specific leaf area and weight between spinach plants grown under 700 and 725 nm LEDs as compared to plants grown under shorter red wavelengths.