Light Quality, Growth, and Essential Oil in Dill (Anethum graveolensL.)

Abstract

The effect of light quality on growth and essential oil production in dill herb was studied by comparing plants receiving supplemental red, far-red, and blue end-of-day light treatments with control plants not receiving any supplemental light treatment. No significant differenes were observed in biomass yield from end-of-day light treatments but control plants and blue light-treated plants had shorter internodes and produced relatively high herb yields. Far-red light induced internode growth, decreased leaf area, and increased the rate of plant development more than all other light treatments. Red light also increased plant growth and induced an elongation of the internodes. Essential oil concentration was highest in plants grown under far-red light treatments. Red light treatment for 4 h also induced more oil production than control and blue light treatments. When the dill plants were exposed to 4 h of red and far-red light yields of benzofuranoid, α-phellandrene, β-phellandrene, p-cymene, and other esse...