Effects of Supplemental Green LEDs to Red and Blue Light on the Growth, Yield and Quality of Hydroponic Cultivated Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) in Plant Factory

Abstract

The effect of three different light qualities on growth, photosynthesis, quality and safe parameters of hydroponic cultivated spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) were investigated indoor. Three different light qualities were created of red (660 nm), blue (450 nm) and green (550 nm) LEDs corresponding at ratio R660/B450 = 4/1 (RBL); R660/B450/G550= 5/2/3 (WWL); R660/B450/G550 = 1/1/1 (WL), which were tested at the same intensity (PPFD =190 μmol m-2 s-1). The results showed that the plant height and leaf number were the lowest in WL treatment. The SPAD, Net photosynthesis rate Pn, Fv/Fm, Leaf area index LAI values and all parameters of root characteristics were the highest in RBL treatment and were significantly different from two others. Fresh weight of stem, leaf and root, dry weight of root in the three light qualities were significantly different. In contrast, the highest K+ content in WL was different from WWL and RBL treatments, while Ca2+ and Fe2+ content were the highest in the RBL treatment. Vitamin C content was significantly different between the three treatments. nitrate and oxalic acid contents were the highest in WL treatment, whereas soluble–solids contents and vitamin C contents were the highest in RBL treatment. Oxalic acid, nitrate contents were observed tending reduced under WWL although oxalic acid content in RBL treatment was not different from WL and WWL treatments. In all three different light treatments were not detected Salmonella, E.coli. Our results suggest that RBL may be appropriate light for growth of spinach, but supplementary green light to a combination of red and blue LEDs at the reasonable rate can change the quality of spinach in a positive direction. Hydroponic cultivated spinach was safe for users.