Germination Characteristics and Seedling Growth of <italic>Pseudolysimachion nakaianum</italic> (Ohwi) T. Yamaz. Seeds According to Light Quality Type

Abstract

Background and objective: This study was conducted to understand the effect of different quality of light-emitting diodes (LED) on the germination characteristics and growth of <i>Pseudolysimachion nakaianum</i>.Methods: The LED light irradiation was divided into white, red, blue, and red:blue (1:1). To investigate the germination characteristics, 30 seeds were placed in a Petri dish in three replicates for 8 days. Average germination rate, germination speed, germination uniformity, and average germination time were measured. To investigate the growth of seedlings, plant height, plant width, leaf length, leaf width, leaf number, fresh weight, dry weight and T/R ratio were examined 6 weeks after sowing, and chlorophyll fluorescence (maximum quantum yield, electron transport rate) was measured.Results: The final germination rate and germination speed were highest at red:blue (1:1) LED irradiation. Regarding growth and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, red:blue LED showed the best growth results, with no significant difference in Fv/Fm between different types of light quality, and the electron transport rate was the highest under red:blue LED irradiation. Also, total fresh/dry weight and T/R ratio were highest for red:blue LED, it is presumed to promote the biomass of entire plant.Conclusion: The results proved that <i>Pseudolysimachion nakaianum</i> showed red LED conditions promoted germination, but cultivation under red:blue LED conditions is judged to be suitable for seedling growth and photosynthesis.