Effects of Different Light Sources on the Growth of Non-heading Chinese Cabbage (Brassica campestris L.)

Xuelin Han,Xiaoying Liu,Huimin Li,Zhigang Xu,Canming Tang

doi:10.5539/jas.v4n4p262

Abstract

To date, little is known about the effects of different light sources on the growth and quality of non-heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L.). The objective of present study was to evaluate the effects of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) light sources (blue, blue plus red, red), fluorescent lamps and sunlight on growth and vitamin C, soluble protein, sucrose, soluble sugar, starch and pigment concentrations in non-heading Chinese cabbage seedlings. The dry mass of shoots and the fresh and dry masses of roots were highest in seedlings grown under red LEDs with weak lights. The fresh mass of roots and starch concentration were highest under red LEDs despite of the altered photosynthetic photo flux density (PPFD) levels. The concentrations of chlorophylls and vitamin C were greatest under blue LEDs with altered PPFD levels. The numbers of flower buds and open flowers were highest under red LEDs and blue plus red LEDs and were higher under LEDs than fluorescent lamps. The duration of flowering was highest under red LEDs and blue plus red LEDs. The present results demonstrate that LED light sources are more effective than fluorescent lamps for vegetative and reproductive growth of non-heading Chinese cabbage. Moreover, blue LEDs benefit vegetative growth, while red LEDs and blue plus red LEDs support reproductive growth in non-heading Chinese cabbage. In the artificial cultivation and subsequent transplanting of the life cycle of plants, the light source can be selected to meet the requirements of different growth stages of plants and be used to promote the subsequent process in the industrial production of non-heading Chinese cabbage.

Highlights

Light plays a key role in plant life, determining their photo-morphogenesis and photosynthesis rate (Avercheva et al, 2009)
The dry mass of shoots and those of fresh and dry roots were greatest in seedlings under red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and lowest under fluorescent lamps, an indication that LEDs light sources are more suitable for the growth of non-heading Chinese cabbage than fluorescent lamps and that red LEDs benefit biomass accumulation in non-heading Chinese cabbage
The present study demonstrated that red LEDs benefits the dry biomass accumulation of non-heading Chinese cabbage (Tables 1, 2 &3)

Summary

Introduction

Light plays a key role in plant life, determining their photo-morphogenesis and photosynthesis rate (Avercheva et al, 2009). LEDs are solid-state, long-lasting and durable sources of narrow-band light that can be used in a variety of horticultural and photo-biological applications (Stutte, 2009), including controlled research environments (Avercheva et al, 2009), lighting for tissue culture (Li et al, 2010) and supplemental and photoperiod lighting for greenhouses (Morrow, 2008) Because of their potential to be implemented in dynamic lighting strategies to control plant growth, development, physiological responses and production, it is important to learn more about the influence of light quality on these processes (Folta and Childers, 2008; Lefsrud et al, 2008; Massa et al, 2008). The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of blue LEDs, red LEDs, blue plus red LEDs (B:R=1:8), fluorescent lamps and sunlight on the growth and quality of non-heading Chinese cabbage seedlings at different stages of development and to select the best light sources for the cultivation of seedlings under a controlled environment

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion