scholarly journals Cannabis Yield, Potency, and Leaf Photosynthesis Respond Differently to Increasing Light Levels in an Indoor Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Rodriguez-Morrison ◽  
David Llewellyn ◽  
Youbin Zheng

Since the recent legalization of medical and recreational use of cannabis (Cannabis sativa) in many regions worldwide, there has been high demand for research to improve yield and quality. With the paucity of scientific literature on the topic, this study investigated the relationships between light intensity (LI) and photosynthesis, inflorescence yield, and inflorescence quality of cannabis grown in an indoor environment. After growing vegetatively for 2 weeks under a canopy-level photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of ≈425 μmol·m−2·s−1 and an 18-h light/6-h dark photoperiod, plants were grown for 12 weeks in a 12-h light/12-h dark “flowering” photoperiod under canopy-level PPFDs ranging from 120 to 1,800 μmol·m−2·s−1 provided by light emitting diodes. Leaf light response curves varied both with localized (i.e., leaf-level) PPFD and temporally, throughout the flowering cycle. Therefore, it was concluded that the leaf light response is not a reliable predictor of whole-plant responses to LI, particularly crop yield. This may be especially evident given that dry inflorescence yield increased linearly with increasing canopy-level PPFD up to 1,800 μmol·m−2·s−1, while leaf-level photosynthesis saturated well-below 1,800 μmol·m−2·s−1. The density of the apical inflorescence and harvest index also increased linearly with increasing LI, resulting in higher-quality marketable tissues and less superfluous tissue to dispose of. There were no LI treatment effects on cannabinoid potency, while there were minor LI treatment effects on terpene potency. Commercial cannabis growers can use these light response models to determine the optimum LI for their production environment to achieve the best economic return; balancing input costs with the commercial value of their cannabis products.

Author(s):  
Victoria Rodriguez Morrison ◽  
David Llewellyn ◽  
Youbin Zheng

Since the recent legalization of medical and recreational use of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) in many regions worldwide, there has been high demand for research to improve yield and quality. With the paucity of scientific literature on the topic, this study investigated the relationships between light intensity (LI) and photosynthesis, inflorescence yield, and inflorescence quality of cannabis grown in an indoor environment. After growing vegetatively for 2 weeks under a canopy-level photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of ≈ 425 μmol·m-2·s-1 and an 18-h light/6-h dark photoperiod, plants were grown for 12 weeks in a 12-h light/12-h dark ‘flowering’ photoperiod under canopy-level PPFDs ranging from 120 to 1800 μmol·m-2·s-1 provided by light emitting diodes. Leaf light response curves varied both with localized (i.e., leaf-level) PPFD and temporally, throughout the flowering cycle. Therefore, it was concluded that the leaf light response is not a reliable predictor of whole- plant responses to LI, particularly crop yield. This may be especially evident given that dry inflorescence yield increased linearly with increasing canopy-level PPFD up to 1800 μmol·m-2·s-1, while leaf-level photosynthesis saturated well below 1800 μmol·m-2·s-1. The density of the apical inflorescence and harvest index also increased linearly with increasing LI, resulting in higher-quality marketable tissues and less superfluous tissue to dispose of. There were no LI treatment effects on cannabinoid potency, while there were minor LI treatment effects on terpene potency. Commercial cannabis growers can use these light response models to determine the optimum LI for their production environment to achieve the best economic return; balancing input costs with the commercial value of their cannabis products.


MAUSAM ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-306
Author(s):  
Y. R. KENJLE ◽  
M. C. VARSHNEYA ◽  
T. R. U. NAIDU

ABSTRACT. The diurnal variation of rate of photosynthesis (l') with photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) model of light response curves and the relationship between PPFD and P were studied for two postmonsoon (rabi) sorghum genotypes, viz.. M35- I and RSV-9R under field conditions at Pune. The half maximal values. i.e., PPFD level at which P=Pmax/2 obtained were 1251 and 937 umolm-2s-1 for M35-l and RSV.9R respectively. The potential rates of photosynthesis were 65,79 and 64.52  umolm-2S-1 whereas the observed maximum rates of photosynthesis were lower. 40.93 and 46.66 umolm-2s-1 in M35-1 and RSV-9R Respectively, due to effect of air temperatures under the field conditions, n1e maximum rate of photosynthesis determined from the model decreased with delay in the sowing of the crop. Correlation coefficients between PPFD and rate of photosynthesis were 0,794 and 0,708 for M35-1 and RSV-9R respectively. The PPFD received and rate of photosynthesis decreased significantly with delay in sorghum sowing.    


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.


2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 670-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Vasconcelos Ribeiro ◽  
Eduardo Caruso Machado ◽  
Ricardo Ferraz de Oliveira

This study aimed to evaluate the response of photosynthesis (A), given by photosynthetic O2 evolution, to increasing temperature from 25 to 50ºC in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) leaf discs under non-photorespiring conditions. In order to evaluate the response of gross photosynthesis to temperature and the balance between photosynthetic and respiratory activities, respiration (Rd) rates were also measured, i.e. the O2 uptake in each temperature. In addition, light response curves of photosynthesis were performed by varying the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) from 0 to 1160 µmol m-2 s-1 at 25 and 40ºC. The highest A values were observed at 35 and 40ºC, whereas the highest Rd values were noticed at 50ºC. A higher relationship A/Rd was found at 30 and 35ºC, suggesting an optimum temperature of 35ºC when considering the balance between photosynthesis and respiration under non-photorespiring condition. Overall, heat effects on plant metabolism were more evident when evaluating the relationship A/Rd. In light response curves, higher A values were also found at 40ºC under PPFD higher than 300 µmol m-2 s-1. Light saturation point of photosynthesis was increased at 40ºC, without significant change of quantum efficiency under low PPFD. Respiration was also enhanced at 40ºC, and as a consequence, the light compensation point increased. The better photosynthetic performance at 35-40ºC was supported by higher photochemical efficiency in both light and temperature response curves. The temperature-dependence of photosynthesis was affected by growth temperature, i.e. a high air temperature during plant growth is a probable factor leading to a higher photosynthetic tolerance to heat stress.


2017 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
pp. 346-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuyang Zhen ◽  
Marc W. van Iersel

Photosynthetic responses to light are dependent on light intensity, vary among species, and can be affected by acclimation to different light environments (e.g., light intensity, spectrum, and photoperiod). Understanding how these factors affect photochemistry is important for improving supplemental lighting efficiency in controlled-environment agriculture. We used chlorophyll fluorescence to determine photochemical light response curves of three horticultural crops with contrasting light requirements [sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and pothos (Epipremnum aureum)]. We also quantified how these responses were affected by acclimation to three shading treatments-full sun, 44% shade, and 75% shade. The quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPSII), a measure of photochemical efficiency, decreased exponentially with increasing photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) in all three species. By contrast, linear electron transport rate (ETR) increased asymptotically with increasing PPF. Within each shading level, the high-light-adapted species sweetpotato used high light more efficiently for electron transport than light-intermediate lettuce and shade-tolerant pothos. Within a species, plants acclimated to high light (full sun) tended to have higher ΦPSII and ETR than those acclimated to low light (44% or 75% shade). Nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) (an indicator of the amount of absorbed light energy that is dissipated as heat) was upregulated with increasing PPF; faster upregulation was observed in pothos as well as in plants grown under 75% shade. Our results have implications for supplemental lighting: supplemental light is used more efficiently and results in a greater increase in ETR when provided at low ambient PPF. In addition, high-light-adapted crops and crops grown under relatively high ambient light can use supplemental light more efficiently than low-light-adapted crops or those grown under low ambient light.


HortScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Llewellyn ◽  
Katherine Schiestel ◽  
Youbin Zheng

A greenhouse study was undertaken to investigate whether light-emitting diode (LED) technology can be used to replace high-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting for cut gerbera production during Canada’s traditional supplemental lighting (SL) season (November to March). The study was carried out at the University of Guelph’s research greenhouse, using concurrent replications of SL treatments within the same growing environment. LED (85% red, 15% blue) and HPS treatment plots were set up to provide equal amounts of supplemental photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at bench level. This setup was used to assess the production of three cultivars of cut gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus ex Hook.f): Acapulco, Heatwave, and Terra Saffier. There were no treatment differences in SL intensity, with average SL photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and daily light integral (DLI) of 55.9 µmol·m−2·s−1 and 2.3 mol·m−2·d−1, respectively. Flowers harvested from the LED treatment had a 1.9% larger flower diameter in ‘Acapulco’; 4.2% shorter and 3.8% longer stems in ‘Heatwave’ and ‘Terra Saffier’, respectively; and 7.7% and 8.6% higher fresh weights for ‘Acapulco’ and ‘Terra Saffier’, respectively, compared with flowers harvested from the HPS treatment. There were no differences in accumulated total or marketable flower harvests for any of the cultivars. The vase life of ‘Acapulco’ flowers grown under the LED treatment was 2.7 d longer than those grown under the HPS treatment, but there were no SL treatment effects on water uptake for any of the cultivars during the vase life trials. There were no SL treatment effects on specific leaf area for any of the cultivars. There were only minimal treatment differences in leaf, soil, and air temperatures. Cut gerbera crops grown with under LED SL had equivalent or better production and crop quality metrics compared with crops grown under HPS SL.


2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Meyers ◽  
Gavin L. Sacks ◽  
Justine E. Vanden Heuvel

Concentrations of aroma precursor compounds in ‘Riesling’ wine grapes (Vitis vinifera) are reported to correlate with fruit zone cluster exposure, although optimal cultural influences with respect to exposure timing and canopy assessment methods have not been established. To determine the impact of cluster exposure on concentrations of potential aroma compounds, correlations between light exposure metrics during the growing season and relative concentrations of eight representative aroma compounds at harvest were determined. The aroma compounds were carbon-13 (C13) norisoprenoids [1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (TDN), β-damascenone, and vitispirane], monoterpenes (linalool oxide, α-terpineol), and phenolics (4-vinylguaiacol, vanillin and eugenol). Cluster exposure was determined using metrics of varying spatial precision [percent interior cluster (PIC), cluster exposure layer (CEL), ln(CEL), cluster exposure flux availability (CEFA), and the percent ambient photosynthetic photon flux (PPF)] at two sites and two phenological stages (fruit set and veraison) in two consecutive seasons (2008 and 2009). Pairwise combinations of cluster exposure metrics and compounds resulted in 360 permutations, of which 22 were significant. Response data suggested that none of the compounds studied respond to variable cluster exposure levels below 20% of ambient sunlight (CEFA < 0.2), and that low cluster exposure may be particularly effective in minimizing C13 norisoprenoid concentrations at harvest. Yield components were also tested but found to have lower R2 values compared with cluster exposure metrics. Active canopy management, in which vine vigor and fruit exposure are independently controlled, is likely to be more effective in influencing potential aroma compounds than selectively harvesting for naturally occurring variation in cluster exposure. In comparing the relative predictive strength among metrics, CEFA ≅ ln(CEL) > CEL > PIC ≅ percent PPF, suggesting that cluster exposure metrics with greater spatial sensitivity are more effective for establishing light response curves.


1996 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 421 ◽  
Author(s):  
OJ Sun ◽  
GB Sweet

Responses of photosynthesis to light and temperature were studied in two Nothofagus species native to New Zealand: N. solandri var. cliffortioides (Hook. f.) Poole and N. menziesii (Hook. f.) Oerst.. Measurements of leaf photosynthesis were made in a controlled environment growth chamber at photosynthetic photon flux density between 0 and 700 μmol m-2 s-1 with temperatures set for 10, 20 and 25�C, on seedlings previously grown in a glasshouse from seed of three different origins. In both species, pronounced intraspecific variation was shown in dark respiration, light compensation point and light-saturated net photosynthesis (Amax). Seedlings of N. solandri showed higher dark respiration and light compensation levels than N. menziesii seedlings, but the two species did not differ in Amax. Change in temperature resulted in significant change in the response of photosynthesis to light in both N. solandri and N. menziesii. The differences between N. solandri and N. menziesii in light response of photosynthesis are discussed in terms of ecosystem dynamics of Nothofagus forests in New Zealand.


1978 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 723 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Doley

E. grandis seedlings grown under conditions of high (12.6) and low (2.8 Em-2 day-) daily integrals of photon flux density exhibited the same light response of photosynthesis when the rates were expressed on a unit leaf volume basis. The conversion of photosynthetic substrate to dry matter was more efficient in larger than in smaller plants. Allocation of dry matter between leaves, stem and roots was influenced relatively little by the shading treatments, but the utilization of dry matter by the leaves and stem was affected. Plants raised under low light exhibited significantly greater areas per unit weight of leaf, and significantly greater lengths per unit weight of stem than did plants raised in the high-light treatment. Adaptation to shading in E. grandis seedlings was judged to be limited. A model was constructed which described adequately the growth of these seedlings after the age of about 14 days.


2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Habermann ◽  
Eduardo Caruso Machado ◽  
João Domingos Rodrigues ◽  
Camilo Lázaro Medina

Plants with citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), a disease caused by the xylem-limited bacteria Xylella fastidiosa, have leaves with water deficiency symptoms and are associated with decreases on the net photosynthesis and transpiration rates. Using healthy and CVC-affected 'Pêra' sweet orange plants on 'Rangpur' lime rootstock, the leaf gas exchange variables were measured with an open-gas portable photosynthesis system. All plants were watered and the leaf water potential (Yw) was measured by isopiestic thermocouple psychrometric technique. The net photosynthesis (A) vs. internal leaf CO2 concentration (A/Ci curves) was analyzed. The relative effect of stomatal resistance on photosynthesis (S%) and the estimation of carboxylation efficiency were calculated. The rates of photosynthesis and transpiration, stomatal conductance, and internal leaf CO2 concentration (Ci) were also measured while varying the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). The S% values were approximately 30 % greater in infected plants when compared to healthy ones. The light compensation point for diseased plants was higher than in the healthy ones, and the saturation light point in plants with CVC was twofold lower. The lower Yw in diseased plants favours the hypothesis of xylem occlusion, which probably caused a lower water supply to the mesophyll, thus decreasing the photosynthesis and transpiration rates. Nevertheless, there was also a reduction in the photosynthetic metabolic activities, represented by lower carboxylation efficiency and photochemical disturbances that were detected in diseased plants.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document