Physiological and Phytochemical Responses of Spinach Baby Leaves Grown in a PFAL System with LEDs and Saline Nutrient Solution

Filippos Bantis, Mariangela Fotelli, Zoran S. Ilić and Athanasios Koukounaras
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Filippos Bantis: Department of Horticulture, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Mariangela Fotelli: Forest Research Institute of Thessaloniki, Greek Agricultural Organization-Dimitra, Vassilika, 57006 Thessaloniki, Greece
Zoran S. Ilić: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Priština-Kosovska Mitrovica, 38219 Lešak, Serbia
Athanasios Koukounaras: Department of Horticulture, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

Agriculture, 2020, vol. 10, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: Spinach is a leafy vegetable containing a plethora of bioactive compounds. Our study aimed to evaluate the physiological (i.e., JIP-test) and phytochemical response of spinach baby leaves grown with regular or mildly saline (40 mM NaCl) nutrient solution and irradiated by four light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with broad spectra. T1 (highest red and far-red, low blue) and T3 (high red, balanced blue, green and far-red) led to a better developed photosynthetic apparatus compared to T2 (red peak in 631 nm) and T4 (highest blue and green), highlighted by PI ABS and its structural components: RC/ABS, φ P0 , ψ E0 , and ΔV IP . Elevated salinity only affected the latter parameter. T1 induced the maximum yield production but also the highest nitrate content which was far below the maximum level permitted by European legislation. Regardless of salinity level, T3 enhanced total phenol, chlorophyll, and carotenoid content. T2 and T4 led to inferior nutritional quality. Non-saline nutrient solution promoted the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and the antioxidant potential, regardless of light treatment. By contrast, soluble sugar content was enhanced by saline nutrient solution. Our study shows that physiology and nutritional quality of spinach baby leaves can be manipulated by small interplays in the light spectra and salinity level.

Keywords: Spinacia oleracea; sodium chloride; light-emitting diodes; vertical farming; controlled environment agriculture; JIP-test; antioxidant potential; phenols; carotenoids; nitrates (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 (5)

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