Effects of combined red, blue and white LED light on the quality of eggplant seedlings and fruit peels.

Abstract

The effects of red/blue=3/1 [R/B=3/1(9/3), as control, CK1], white light (W, as control, CK2), and combined light of red, blue and white [R/B/W=3/1/1 (9/3/3), T1; R/B/W=9/3/8, T2; R/B/W=3/1/6 (9/3/18), T3; R/B/W=3/1/16 (9/3/48), T4] on the growth, root development, quality and yield of eggplants were examined to provide theoretical and technical support for intensive and high-efficient light supplement and eggplant seedlings cultivation, using LED to accurately regulate light environment and 'Gailiangdalong' eggplant, based on the previous findings of the benefits of R/B=3/1 to the cultivation of eggplant seedlings. The results showed that R/B/W=9/3/8 treatment significantly increased plant height, stem diameter, seedling index, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, root development, anthocyanins and flavonoids content in eggplant peels and early yield. Root/shoot, total phenolic content in eggplant peels and soluble sugar content in pulps under R/B/W=3/1/1 treatment were significantly higher than those of other treatments. Total leaf area and free amino acid content in pulps were higher under R/B/W=3/1/6 treatment. The soluble protein content in pulps was higher under R/B/W=3/1/16 treatment. In summary, combined LED light of red, blue and white could improve the quality of eggplant seedlings and the yield and quality of eggplant fruits, with R/B/W=9/3/8 treatment being the best one in our study.