Keeping Quality of Ficus benjamina as Affected by Production Light Levels and Postproduction Light Quality and Level

Abstract

Abstract F. benjamina L. were produced in a greenhouse shaded to provide a maximum natural light level of 400 or 800 μmol s-1m-2 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) for 5 months. Plants were held indoors for 12 weeks under incandescent (INC) or cool-white fluorescent (CWF) lamps at 10 μmol s-1m-2 or 20 μmol s-1m-2 for 12 hr/day. Leaf drop was substantially reduced and plant quality was increased when plants were produced under 800 μmol s-1m-2 or when plants were held indoors under 20 μmol s-1m-2 of light. Leaf loss in response to production light levels, postproduction light levels, and light source was different when measured over time. Dry weight was increased when plants were produced under 800 μmol s-1m-2. Chlorophyll content was increased in plants grown under 400 μmol s-1m-2 or held under CWF lamps.