scholarly journals Influence of Light Quality and Intensity on Biomass and Biochemical Contents of Hydroponically Grown Lettuce

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 1157-1163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kui Lin ◽  
Zhi Huang ◽  
Yong Xu

The effects of different light intensities and qualities on the biomass, physiological parameters, and biochemical contents of hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were evaluated, with the aim of obtaining better quality and higher yield, as well as saving energy in lettuce cultivation. Three different light qualities, provided by red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light-emitting diodes (LEDs), were used to produce six different combinations of illumination: A1: R:G:B = 7:0:3 [photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) = 150 μmol·m−2·s−1]; A2: R:G:B = 6:2:2 (150 μmol·m−2·s−1); A3: R:G:B = 7:0:3 (120 μmol·m−2·s−1); B1: R:G:B = 3:0:7 (150 μmol·m−2·s−1); B2: R:G:B = 2:2:6 (150 μmol·m−2·s−1); and B3: R:G:B = 3:0:7 (120 μmol·m−2·s−1), and the fluorescent lamp (FL) at 150 μmol·m−2·s−1 was used as the control (CK). In most cases, treatment A2 resulted in higher biomass attributes, whereas higher physiological parameters were observed in treatment B2. However, a greater shoot dry weight (SDW) was observed in treatment A1. No significant difference was detected in chlorophyll [Chl (a + b)] and carotenoid (CAR) contents among the different treatments. Soluble sugar content was found the highest in treatment A1, although it was not significant compared with that observed in treatment A2. Soluble protein content was higher in treatments with a higher component of blue light. Vitamin C content was found the highest in treatment B3 and the lowest in treatment A1, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) content was the highest in CK and the lowest in treatments B1 and B2. These results indicated that appropriate ratio of red to blue light can effectively promote the accumulation of biochemical compounds in lettuce and that replacement of a certain portion of red light, blue light, or both with green light was more effective in promoting plant growth and quality.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Liu ◽  
Marc W. van Iersel

Red and blue light are traditionally believed to have a higher quantum yield of CO2 assimilation (QY, moles of CO2 assimilated per mole of photons) than green light, because green light is absorbed less efficiently. However, because of its lower absorptance, green light can penetrate deeper and excite chlorophyll deeper in leaves. We hypothesized that, at high photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), green light may achieve higher QY and net CO2 assimilation rate (An) than red or blue light, because of its more uniform absorption throughtout leaves. To test the interactive effects of PPFD and light spectrum on photosynthesis, we measured leaf An of “Green Tower” lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under red, blue, and green light, and combinations of those at PPFDs from 30 to 1,300 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1. The electron transport rates (J) and the maximum Rubisco carboxylation rate (Vc,max) at low (200 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1) and high PPFD (1,000 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1) were estimated from photosynthetic CO2 response curves. Both QYm,inc (maximum QY on incident PPFD basis) and J at low PPFD were higher under red light than under blue and green light. Factoring in light absorption, QYm,abs (the maximum QY on absorbed PPFD basis) under green and red light were both higher than under blue light, indicating that the low QYm,inc under green light was due to lower absorptance, while absorbed blue photons were used inherently least efficiently. At high PPFD, the QYinc [gross CO2 assimilation (Ag)/incident PPFD] and J under red and green light were similar, and higher than under blue light, confirming our hypothesis. Vc,max may not limit photosynthesis at a PPFD of 200 μmol m–2 s–1 and was largely unaffected by light spectrum at 1,000 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1. Ag and J under different spectra were positively correlated, suggesting that the interactive effect between light spectrum and PPFD on photosynthesis was due to effects on J. No interaction between the three colors of light was detected. In summary, at low PPFD, green light had the lowest photosynthetic efficiency because of its low absorptance. Contrary, at high PPFD, QYinc under green light was among the highest, likely resulting from more uniform distribution of green light in leaves.


1986 ◽  
Vol 227 (1248) ◽  
pp. 381-393 ◽  

The influence of light quality on the growth and chlorophyll and phycobiliprotein composition of eight strains of planktonic blue-green algae has been investigated. Growth rate in chromatic (red, green, blue) light (12 μE m -2 s -1 ) (1 μE = 6 × 10 17 photons) is a general function of the light absorption capacity of the cell. In all strains examined growth rate is enhanced in red light, and in Oscillatoria redekei and Gloeotrichia echinulata CC1 it exceeds the maximum growth rate possible in white light of a higher photon flux density under otherwise similar experimental conditions. In green light the growth rate of six phycocyanin-rich strains is approximately 60–75% of that in white light (12 μE m -2 s -1 ), but growth rate is enhanced in O. agardhii 7821 and G. echinulata CC1, which synthesize the green-light-absorbing phycobiliprotein, phycoerythrin. With the exception of these two phycoerythrin-producing strains, incubation in blue light results in a pronounced reduction in growth rate, which in the majority of strains is associated with a specific decline in cell chlorophyll concentrations. In all strains cell chlorophyll and phycobiliprotein content is similar in both white and green light. Associated with the enhancement of growth rate in red light there is a general decline in cell pigment concentrations. An increase in the cell chlorophyll: phycobiliprotein ratio also occurs in a number of strains in red light. This qualitative variation in pigmentation occurs where growth rate is at or near its maximum rate and in Gloeotrichia echinulata CC1 is the result of a specific reduction in the rate of phycoerythrin synthesis. In contrast to other blue-green algae capable of chromatic adaptation, the modulation of phycoerythrin synthesis in this strain is influenced considerably by the photon flux density of red light.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giedrė Samuolienė ◽  
Akvilė Viršilė ◽  
Jurga Miliauskienė ◽  
Perttu J. Haimi ◽  
Kristina Laužikė ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dynamic red and blue light parameters on the physiological responses and key metabolites in lettuce and also the subsequent impact of varying light spectra on nutritive value. We explored the metabolic changes in carotenes, xanthophylls, soluble sugars, organic acids, and antioxidants; the response of photosynthetic indices [photosynthetic (Pr) and transpiration (Tr) rates]; and the intracellular to ambient CO2 concentration ratios (Ci/Ca) in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. “Lobjoits Green Cos”). They were cultivated under constant (con) or parabolic (dyn) blue (B, 452 nm) and/or red (R, 662 nm) light-emitting diode (LED) photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs) at 12, 16, and 20 h photoperiods, maintaining consistent daily light integrals (DLIs) for each light component in all treatments, at 2.3 and 9.2 mol m–2 per day for blue and red light, respectively. The obtained results and principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed a significant impact of the light spectrum, photoperiod, and parabolic profiles of PPFD on the physiological response of lettuce. The 16 h photoperiod resulted in significantly higher content of xanthophylls (neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin) in lettuce leaves under both constant and parabolic blue light treatments (BconRdyn 16 h and BdynRdyn 16 h, respectively). Lower PPFD levels under a 20 h photoperiod (BdynRdyn 20 h) as well as higher PPFD levels under a 12 h photoperiod (BdynRdyn 12 h) had a pronounced impact on leaf gas exchange indices (Pr, Tr, Ci/Ca), xanthophylls, soluble sugar contents, and antioxidant properties of lettuce leaves. The parabolic PPFD lighting profile over a 16 h photoperiod (BdynRdyn 16 h) led to a significant decrease in Ci/Ca, which resulted in decreased Pr and Tr, compared with constant blue or red light treatments with the same photoperiod (BconRdyn and BdynRcon 16 h). Additionally, constant blue lighting produced higher α + β-carotene and anthocyanin (ARI) content and increased carotenoid to chlorophyll ratio (CRI) but decreased biomass accumulation and antioxidant activity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohiro Jishi ◽  
Ryo Matsuda ◽  
Kazuhiro Fujiwara

The morphology of plants growing under combined blue- and red-light irradiation is affected by the presence or absence of time slots of blue- and red-light mono-irradiation. The purposes of this study were to investigate the morphology and growth of cos lettuce grown under light irradiation combining several durations of blue and red light simultaneously and independent mono-irradiations of blue and red light during the day, and to clarify the effects of the durations of blue-light mono-irradiation and blue-light irradiation. Young cos lettuce seedlings were grown under 24-h blue-light irradiation with a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 110μmol m−2 s−1 (B+0R) or under 24-h blue-light irradiation with a PPFD of 100μmol m−2 s−1 supplemented with 8 (B+8R), 16 (B+16R), and 24-h (B+24R) red-light irradiation with PPFDs of 30, 15, and 10μmol m−2 s−1, respectively (Experiment 1). The daily light integral was 9.50mol m−2 in all treatments. In Experiment 1, leaf elongation was promoted as the duration of red-light irradiation decreased and the duration of blue-light mono-irradiation increased. The maximum shoot dry weight was observed under the B+8R treatment. Growth was likely promoted by the expansion of the light-receptive area caused by moderate leaf elongation without tilting. In Experiment 2, young cos lettuce seedlings were grown as for Experiment 1, but blue- and red-light irradiation intensities were reversed (R+0B, R+8B, R+16B, and R+24B). Leaf elongation was promoted by the absence of blue-light irradiation (R+0B). The leaf surface was increasingly flattened, and the shoot dry weight was enhanced, as the duration of blue-light irradiation increased. Thus, cos lettuce leaf morphology may be manipulated by adjusting each duration of blue-light mono-irradiation, red-light mono-irradiation, and blue- and red-light simultaneous irradiation, which can, in turn, promote cos lettuce growth.


HortScience ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Tomohiro Jishi ◽  
Ryo Matsuda ◽  
Kazuhiro Fujiwara

Cos lettuce was grown under different spectral photon flux density distribution (SPFD) change patterns with blue- and/or red light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation with a 24-hour cycle. Twelve treatments were designed with a combination of four relative SPFD (RSPFD) change patterns and three photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) levels. The RSPFD change patterns were as follows: BR/BR, simultaneous blue- and red-light irradiation (BR) for 24 h; R/BR, red-light monochromatic irradiation (R) for 12 h followed by 12 hours of BR; B/BR, blue-light monochromatic irradiation (B) for 12 hours followed by 12 hours of BR; and B/R, 12 hours of B followed by 12 hours of R. Each RSPFD change pattern was conducted at three daily average photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDave) of 50, 100, and 200 µmol·m−2·s−1. The RSPFD change patterns that included B (B/BR and B/R) resulted in elongated leaves. A low ratio of active phytochrome to total phytochrome under B was considered the reason for leaf elongation. Shoot dry weight was significantly greater under the RSPFD change patterns that included B when the PPFDave was 200 µmol·m−2·s−1. The leaf elongation caused by B would have increased the amount of light received and thereby promoted growth. However, excessive leaf elongation caused the plants to fall, and growth was not promoted under the RSPFD change patterns that included B when the PPFDave was 50 µmol·m−2·s−1. Thus, 12-hour B promoted growth under conditions in which leaf elongation leads to increases in the amount of light received.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 456-464
Author(s):  
Xiao-Xue Fan ◽  
Feng Xue ◽  
Bo Song ◽  
Long-Zheng Chen ◽  
Gang Xu ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of blue and red light on metabolites of nitrate, key enzymes, and the gene expression of key enzymes in pakchoi plants (Brassica campestris L. var. Suzhouqing). Plants were grown under three light quality treatments, namely, white light (W), red light (R) and blue light (B), at the same photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of approximately 150 μmol m-2 s-1 for 48 hours of continuous illumination, and W was set as the control. The dynamics of net photosynthetic rate in pakchoi subjected to different light treatments were the same as the total chlorophyll contents: blue light > white light > red light. The nitrate reductase (NR) activity, nitrite reductase (NiR) activity, glutamine synthetase (GS) activity and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity were highest under blue light. Further, the expression levels of NR, NiR and GS genes were significantly higher under blue light. Under continuous illumination, the auxin content (IAA) in pakchoi leaves was highest under blue light, whereas the abscisic acid (ABA) content was highest under red light. In contrast, there was no significant effect for gibberellin (GA) under any type of light treatment.


1990 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 118-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. McMahon ◽  
J.W. Kelly ◽  
D.R. Decoteau

Abstract Spectral transmittance properties of several greenhouse construction and shading materials were determined by measuring the quantity and quality of solar radiation transmission on non-clouded (sunny) days at solar noon. Spectral transmittance parameters included photosynthetic radiation (400–700 nm) and photomorphogenic radiation (660 nm (red light), 730 nm (far-red light), and 400–500 nm (blue light). Light available for photosynthesis was measured as photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and photosynthetic radiation (PI). Photomorphogenic radiation was measured as far-red/red (FR/R) and blue light. Greenhouse construction materials included glass, chambered acrylic, chambered polycarbonate, and inflated plastic film. Various shade materials of different colors were evaluated. Photosynthetically active radiation transmission of construction materials ranged from approximately 95% transmission of direct sunlight with Exolite to less than 50% with tinted Lexan. Far-red/red values of shade materials ranged from 0.94 for Enduro Green to 5.58 for Cravo LS-7.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Anja Dieleman ◽  
H. Marjolein Kruidhof ◽  
Kees Weerheim ◽  
Kirsten Leiss

Over the last decade, LED lighting has gained considerable interest as an energy-efficient supplemental light source in greenhouse horticulture that can change rapidly in intensity and spectral composition. Spectral composition not only affects crop physiology but may also affect the biology of pathogens, pests, and their natural enemies, both directly and indirectly through an impact on induced plant resistance. In this study, we investigated the effects of light spectrum against a background of sunlight on growth and development of Solanum melongena. These effects were related to the spectral effects on the establishment of populations of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii and plant resilience against the biotrophic fungus powdery mildew, the necrotrophic fungus botrytis, and the herbivorous arthropod Western flower thrips. The effects of a reduced red/far-red (R:FR) ratio were studied under two ratios of red to blue light. Far-red light either was supplied additionally to the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) or partially replaced PPFD, while maintaining total photon flux density (PFD). Effects of white light or additional UV-B light on plant resilience was tested, compared to the reference (5% blue, 5% green, and 90% red light). Plant biomass in the vegetative phase increased when additional far-red light was supplied. Stem length increased with far-red, irrespective of PPFD and the percentage of blue light. In the generative phase, total shoot biomass and fruit fresh weights were higher under additional far-red light, followed by the treatments where far-red partly replaced PPFD. Far-red light increased biomass partitioning into the fruits, at the expense of the leaves. There were no differences in population growth of A. swirskii mites between light treatments, nor did light treatment have an effect on the vertical distribution of these predatory mites in the plants. The treatments with additional far-red light reduced the infection rate of powdery mildew, but increased botrytis infection. These differences might be due to the plant defenses acting against these pathogens evolving from two different regulatory pathways. These results show that positive effects of altered spectral compositions on physiological responses were only moderately compensated by increased susceptibility to fungal pathogens, which offers perspective for a sustainable greenhouse horticulture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lie Li ◽  
Yu-xin Tong ◽  
Jun-ling Lu ◽  
Yang-mei Li ◽  
Xin Liu ◽  
...  

Green light, as part of the photosynthetically active radiation, has been proven to have high photosynthetic efficiency once absorbed by plant leaves and can regulate plant physiological activities. However, few studies have investigated the appropriate and efficient way of using the green light for plant production. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate a moderate amount of green light, partially replacing red and blue light, for plant growth and development. In this experiment, four treatments were set up by adjusting the relative amount of green light as 0 (RB), 30 (G30), 60 (G60), and 90 (G90) μmol m−2 s−1, respectively, with a total photosynthetic photon flux density of 200 μmol m−2 s−1 and a fixed red-to-blue ratio of 4:1. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. ‘Tiberius’) plant growth and morphology, stomatal characteristics, light absorptance and transmittance, photosynthetic characteristics, and nutritional quality were investigated. The results showed that: (1) shoot dry weight increased by 16.3 and 24.5% and leaf area increased by 11.9 and 16.2% under G30 and G60, respectively, compared with those under RB. Plant stem length increased linearly with increasing green-to-blue light ratio; (2) light transmittance of lettuce leaf under treatments employing green light was higher than that under RB, especially in the green region; (3) stomatal density increased, whereas stomatal aperture area decreased with the increase in the relative amount of green light; and (4) carbohydrate accumulation increased under G60 and G90. Soluble sugar contents under G60 and G90 increased by 39.4 and 19.4%, respectively. Nitrate contents under G30, G60, and G90 decreased by 26.2, 40.3, and 43.4%, respectively. The above results indicated that 15–30% green light replacing red and blue light effectively increased the yield and nutritional quality of lettuce plants.


2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 781-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuhiro Fujiwara ◽  
Toshinari Sawada ◽  
Yoshikatsu Kimura ◽  
Kenji Kurata

A light-emitting diode (LED)-low light irradiation (LLI) storage system was developed for suppressing the change in dry weight and maintaining the quality of green plants during long-term storage. In this system, the carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange rate was maintained at zero by automatically adjusting the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) with a proportional-integralderivative (PID) controller. The voltage supplied to the LEDs was controlled by the difference between the inflow (400 μmol·mol-1) and outflow CO2 concentrations in the storage case. Grafted tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum; scion = `House Momotaro'; rootstock = `Anchor T') plug seedlings were stored at 10 °C for 35 days under four different LLI conditions as a system operating test: fixed red light irradiation at 2 μmol·m-2·s-1, PID-controlled red light irradiation with no blue light, and PID-controlled red light irradiation with blue light at 0.2 or 1.0 μmol·m-2·s-1. The results showed that the automatic PPFD control during LED-LLI helped suppress changes in dry weight during storage as expected. Furthermore, it was found that addition of a low percentage of blue light improved the morphological appearance of the seedlings and reduced the PPFD required to suppress the change in dry weight.


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