The Evaluation of Growth Performance, Photosynthetic Capacity, and Primary and Secondary Metabolite Content of Leaf Lettuce Grown under Limited Irradiation of Blue and Red LED Light in an Urban Plant Factory

Md Obyedul Kalam Azad, Katrine Heinsvig Kjaer, Md Adnan, Most Tahera Naznin, Jung Dae Lim, In Je Sung, Cheol Ho Park and Young Seok Lim
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Md Obyedul Kalam Azad: Department of Bio-Health Technology, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
Katrine Heinsvig Kjaer: Danish Technological Institute, Gregersensvej 7, DK-2630 Taastrup, Denmark
Md Adnan: Department of Bio-Health Technology, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
Most Tahera Naznin: Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 103, 23053 Alnarp, Sweden
Jung Dae Lim: Department of Herbal Medicine Resource, Kangwon National University, Samcheok 25949, Korea
In Je Sung: Department of Bio-Health Technology, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
Cheol Ho Park: Department of Bio-Health Technology, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
Young Seok Lim: Department of Bio-Health Technology, College of Biomedical Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea

Agriculture, 2020, vol. 10, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: Plant production in urban areas is receiving much attention due to its potential role in feeding the rapidly growing population of city dwellers. However, higher energy demands in urban plant factories are among the key challenges that need to be addressed. Artificial lighting is responsible for the most significant levels of energy consumption in plant factories; therefore, lighting systems must be modulated in consideration of the sustainable food–energy nexus. In this context, low light irradiation using blue (B) and red (R) LED was applied in a plant factory for the growth of red leaf lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L. var Lollo rosso) to evaluate the growth performance and functional quality. The tested B (450 nm) and R (660 nm) light ratios were B/R = 5:1; 3:1; 1:1; 1:3, and 1:5, with a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 90 ± 3 µmol m −2 s −1 . In the plant factory, the photoperiod, temperature, RH, and CO 2 conditions were 16 h d −1 , 20 ± 0.5 °C, 65% ± 5%, and 360 ± 10 μL L −1 , respectively. The lettuce was harvested 10 and 20 days after the commencement of LED light treatment (DAT). In this study, normal photosynthetic activity and good visual quality of the lettuce were observed. The results show that a higher fraction of R (B/R = 1:5) significantly increased plant growth parameters such as plant height, leaf area, specific leaf area, plant fresh and dry weight, and carbohydrate content. By contrast, a higher fraction of B (B/R = 5:1) significantly increased the photosynthetic parameters and contents of pigment and phenolic compounds. The rate of photosynthetic performance, carbohydrates (except starch), and content of phenolic compounds were highest after 10 DAT, whereas the pigment contents did not significantly differ at the different growth stages. It is concluded that high R fractions favor plant growth and carbohydrate content, while high B fractions favor photosynthetic performance and the accumulation of pigments and phenolic compounds in red leaf lettuce under limited lighting conditions. This study will help in designing artificial lighting conditions for plant factory production to reduce energy demands.

Keywords: growth characteristics; photosynthesis; carbohydrate; pigments; phenolic compounds; leaf lettuce; plant factory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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