Reproductive Response of Okra and Native Rosella to Long-day Treatment with Red, Blue, and Green Light-emitting Diode Lights

Abstract

We investigated the reproductive responses of three cultivars of short-day plants to day-extension and night-break treatment with red, blue, and green light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The plants examined were all Malvaceae species: two cultivars of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.] and a cultivar of native rosella [Abelmoschus moschatus ssp. tuberosus (Span.) Borss.]. To create day extension or night break, we provided supplemental light from LED panels with peak photon emissions of 470 (blue), 520 (green), or 650 (red) nm. Day-extension treatment using red or blue LEDs inhibited flower and bud appearances; the response was especially pronounced with red LEDs. Night-break treatment with red LEDs also delayed flower bud appearance, but night break with blue LEDs did not produce a clear effect. Night break with green light delayed flowering more strongly than blue light but a little less than red light. We concluded that the dark period-regulated reproductive processes of these plants are most sensitive to disruption by red light, closely followed by green light, but that they are insensitive to blue light, especially when the exposure period is short.