Average Photon Flux Research Articles

Intensive γ -ray light sources based on oriented single crystals

The feasibility of gamma-ray light sources based on the channeling phenomenon of ultrarelativistic electrons and positrons in oriented single crystals is demonstrated using rigorous numerical modeling. Case studies are presented for 10 GeV and sub-GeV e−/e+ beams incident on 10−1−100 mm thick diamond and silicon crystals. It is shown that for moderate values of the beam average current (≲10 μA), the average photon flux in the energy range of 100–102 MeV emitted within the 101–103 μrad cone and 1% bandwidth can be on the level of 1010 photon/s for electrons and 1010–1012 photon/s for positrons. These values are higher than the fluxes available at modern laser-Compton gamma-ray light sources. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Thermal and magnetic field structure of near-equatorial coronal holes

Coronal holes are low-density and unipolar magnetic field structures in the solar corona that trigger geomagnetic disturbances on the Earth. Hence, it is important to understand the genesis and evolutionary behavior of these coronal activity features during their passage across the solar disk. We study the day-to-day latitudinal variations of thermal and magnetic field structures of near-equatorial coronal holes. For this purpose, eight years of full-disk SOHO/EIT 195 calibrated images were used. Using the response curves of the SOHO/EIT channels and assuming thermodynamic equilibrium, we estimated the temperature structure of coronal holes. From the latitudinal variation in the magnetic pressure, we inferred the magnitude of the magnetic field structure of coronal holes. Except for the temperature T, we find that the variations in the average photon flux F, in the radiative energy E, in the area A, and in the magnitude of the magnetic field structure B of coronal holes depend on latitude. The typical average values of the estimated physical parameters are $A cm^ $, $F $, $E sec^ $, $T K$ and $ B 0.001) \, G$. When coronal holes are anchored in the convection zone, these activity features would be expected to rotate differentially. The thermal wind balance and isorotation of coronal holes with the solar plasma therefore implies a measurable temperature difference between the equator and the two poles. Contrary to this fact, the variation in the thermal structure of near-equatorial coronal holes is independent of latitude, which leads to the conclusion that coronal holes must rotate rigidly and are likely to be initially anchored below the tachocline. This confirms our previous study.

Physiological changes underlying increased photosynthetic-nitrogen use efficiency in response to low-nitrogen conditions in Brassica napus L

The photosynthetic-nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) of Brassica napus L. is reported to increase under low nitrogen (N) condition. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms are unclear. In this study, the physiological mechanisms underlying increase in the photosynthetic-nitrogen use efficiency of Brassica napus L. under low-nitrogen condition were investigated by assessing the changes in plant architecture, light reception, nitrogen allocation, and leaf tissue structure. The plants exhibited dwarf, upright, and compact phenotype under low-nitrogen condition. Although the total photons received by plants decreased, the average photosynthetic photon flux density remained unchanged. The nitrogen photon reception efficiency (NPRE, calculated as total photons/N accumulation in leaves) was significantly increased by 76.61%–100.63%. The proportion of nitrogen allocated for photosynthesis was increased by 22.06%–38.86%. Moreover, although the leaf thickness remained unchanged, the epidermal thickness increased, and the spongy tissues became thinner. The density of mesophyll cells and chloroplasts significantly increased. Low-nitrogen condition significantly decreased the resistance to CO2 transport and significantly increased stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci), mesophyll conductance (gm), and CO2 concentration in chloroplasts (Cc). Correlation analysis revealed that light reception, nitrogen allocation in the leaves, and leaf tissue structure were significantly correlated with PNUE. Random forest analysis revealed that nitrogen photon reception efficiency and storage nitrogen were the primary factors positively and negatively impacting photosynthetic-nitrogen use efficiency, respectively. This study enhanced the understanding of the physiological mechanism of increased PNUE of B. napus under low-nitrogen condition.

Global terrestrial nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency

Abstract Plant biomass production (BP), nitrogen uptake (Nup) and their ratio, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) must be quantified to understand how nitrogen (N) cycling constrains terrestrial carbon (C) uptake. But the controls of key plant processes determining Nup and NUE, including BP, C and N allocation, tissue C:N ratios and N resorption efficiency (NRE), remain poorly known. We compiled measurements from 804 forest and grassland sites and derived regression models for each of these processes with growth temperature, vapour pressure deficit, stand age, soil C:N ratio, fAPAR (remotely sensed fraction of photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by green vegetation) and growing‐season average daily incident photosynthetic photon flux density (gPPFD; effectively the seasonal concentration of light availability, which increases polewards) as predictors. An empirical model for leaf N was based on optimal photosynthetic capacity (a function of gPPFD and climate) and observed leaf mass per area. The models were used to produce global maps of Nup and NUE. Global BP was estimated as 72 Pg C/year; Nup as 950 Tg N/year; and NUE as 76 g C/g N. Forest BP was found to increase with growth temperature and fAPAR and to decrease with stand age, soil C:N ratio and gPPFD. Forest NUE is controlled primarily by climate through its effect on C allocation—especially to leaves, being richer in N than other tissues. NUE is greater in colder climates, where N is less readily available, because below‐ground allocation is increased. NUE is also greater in drier climates because leaf allocation is reduced. NRE is enhanced (further promoting NUE) in both cold and dry climates. Synthesis. These findings can provide observationally based benchmarks for model representations of C–N cycle coupling. State‐of‐the‐art vegetation models in the TRENDY ensemble showed variable performance against these benchmarks, and models including coupled C–N cycling produced relatively poor simulations of Nup and NUE.

Investigating pulsed LED effectiveness as an alternative to continuous LED through morpho-physiological evaluation of baby leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Acephala)

Photoperiod, light intensity, and spectral quantum distribution (SPD) affect plant development and physiology. Light determines morphological signals, influences plant behavior and regulates metabolism in addition to providing energy for photosynthesis. In this experiment, lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was grown in an indoor LED-equipped chamber, operated in a pulsed and continuous mode, with an average photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) at a seedling level of 150 µmole s¯¹ m¯², photoperiod of 16 h for growing cycle of 30 days. The primary aim of this study was to observe the effects of varying LED on the growth and quality of the produce. Regardless of the treatments, in both continuous and pulsed LED, an increment in the yield, leaf length and leaf width of lettuce was recorded in comparison to the control, which was managed in a glasshouse under controlled environmental conditions using a winter cropping cycle. In-vitro physiological analysis of lettuce revealed the outperformance of the continuous LED treatment over the pulsed LED as well as the control in terms of total sugars, chlorophyll concentration, carotenoids, phenolic index, and sucrose accumulation. Continuous LED treatment has also resulted in a significant reduction in nitrate content, a commercially vital parameter, making it the most advantageous and effective of all the treatments performed. However, the production of anthocyanins, an antioxidant released during stress, was enhanced under pulsed LED which requires further investigation and improvements to achieve an improved metabolite profile of lettuce with a minimal energy usage and cost.

Absolute photon power measurements at the European XFEL instruments

The average photon flux is one of the main parameters of any photon source. At the European XFEL (EuXFEL), this is continuously monitored in the tunnels by X-ray Gas Monitors (XGMs) [1-3]. However, to measure the absolute value of the X-ray flux at the sample location in the scientific end-stations, in general a smaller device is required since the XGMs and their associated differential pumping stages are very space demanding. Therefore, a miniature solid-state room-temperature calorimeter based on a design by AIST, Japan [4-8] was commissioned with beam at the Spectroscopy and Coherent Scattering (SCS) instrument where it could be located directly downstream of an XGM. This allowed for validation of the gas-based measurements with a solid-state physics method with an independent absolute calibration. The calorimeter was then applied at the High Energy Density (HED) instrument to characterize the beamline transmission and to calibrate a commercial laser power meter (LPM) [9] as a secondary relative monitor for X-ray measurements. This contribution describes the technical parameters and capabilities of the calorimeter and LPM and presents the measurements taken at SCS and HED.

Indoor grown cannabis yield increased proportionally with light intensity, but ultraviolet radiation did not affect yield or cannabinoid content.

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) flourishes under high light intensities (LI); making it an expensive commodity to grow in controlled environments, despite its high market value. It is commonly believed that cannabis secondary metabolite levels may be enhanced both by increasing LI and exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV). However, the sparse scientific evidence is insufficient to guide cultivators for optimizing their lighting protocols. We explored the effects of LI and UV exposure on yield and secondary metabolite composition of a high Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis cultivar ‘Meridian’. Plants were grown under short day conditions for 45 days under average canopy photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD, 400–700 nm) of 600, 800, and 1,000 μmol m–2 s–1, provided by light emitting diodes (LEDs). Plants exposed to UV had PPFD of 600 μmol m–2 s–1 plus either (1) UVA; 50 μmol m–2 s–1 of UVA (315–400 nm) from 385 nm peak LEDs from 06:30 to 18:30 HR for 45 days or (2) UVA + UVB; a photon flux ratio of ≈1:1 of UVA and UVB (280–315 nm) from a fluorescent source at a photon flux density of 3.0 μmol m–2 s–1, provided daily from 13:30 to 18:30 HR during the last 20 days of the trial. All aboveground biomass metrics were 1.3–1.5 times higher in the highest vs. lowest PPFD treatments, except inflorescence dry weight – the most economically relevant parameter – which was 1.6 times higher. Plants in the highest vs. lowest PPFD treatment also allocated relatively more biomass to inflorescence tissues with a 7% higher harvest index. There were no UV treatment effects on aboveground biomass metrics. There were also no intensity or UV treatment effects on inflorescence cannabinoid concentrations. Sugar leaves (i.e., small leaves associated with inflorescences) of plants in the UVA + UVB treatment had ≈30% higher THC concentrations; however, UV did not have any effect on the total THC in thesefoliar tissues. Overall, high PPFD levels can substantially increase cannabis yield, but we found no commercially relevant benefits of adding UV to indoor cannabis production.

WO3/Ag/ZnO S-scheme heterostructure thin film spinning disc photoreactor for intensified photodegradation of cephalexin antibiotic

The presence of antibiotics in wastes and drinking water has led to serious environmental and health concerns, further necessitating the development of an advanced sustainable strategy to eliminate antibiotics from aquatic media. In this context, the present research reports the successful fabrication of a spinning disc photoreactor (SDPR) supported ZnO/Ag/WO3 S-scheme visible-light-driven thin-film photocatalyst to study the degradation of cephalexin (CPX) as a target pollutant under blue light irradiation. The optical, electrochemical and physicochemical characterization of the as-prepared thin-film samples were carried out by XRD, top-view FE-SEM, EDS-mapping, UV–Vis-DRS, contact angle, EIS, transient photocurrent, mott Schottky and AFM techniques. The rod shape morphology of the samples with moderate surface roughness, desirable hydrophobicity, low bandgap and remarkable band structure alignment confirmed the applicability of as-prepared thin-film with an average photon flux of 1.94 × 10−4-8.61 × 10−5 E's m−2 s−1. The use of a rotating catalytic disc impressively declined the photon propagation distance, decremented the probability of light absorption by the solution, and intensified the mass transfer rate. The maximum throughputs of 98.8% efficiencies for CPX degradation were achieved at a rotational speed of 180 rpm, the solution flow rate of 1.0 L min−1, the light intensity of 11 mW cm−2, and initial CPX concentration of 40 mg L−1, illumination time of 80 min, and pH of 6. Damkohler number (Da) value was found to be 1.23 × 10−2 at the optimum conditions, indicating the negligibility of the external mass transfer resistance in the SDPR. The photocatalytic mechanism was elucidated for finding the most operative radical species, suggesting the crucial role of ·O2− in photodegradation of CPX and a drastic improvement of the charge separation by S-scheme heterostructure and facilitation by Ag mediator. Findings indicated that the developed reusable and robust SDPR benefited from an s-scheme photocatalyst can be a promising technology for degradation of the organic compounds.

Involvement of sugar and abscisic acid in the genotype-specific response of rose to far-red light.

Plant architecture determines yield (fruit or flowers) and product quality in many horticultural species. It results from growth and branching processes and is dependent on genetic and environmental factors such as light quality. Highly significant genotype and light quality effects and their interaction have been demonstrated on the architecture of rose. Far-red (FR) light is known for its favourable effect on plant growth and development. We evaluated the effect of FR on rose growth and development and its interaction with the genotype through architectural, eco-physiological (net photosynthesis rate) and biochemical (sugar and hormone concentrations) approaches. Two cultivars (‘The Fairy’ – TF – and Knock Out® Radrazz – KO) with contrasting architectures were grown in a climate chamber under FR or in the absence of FR at an average photosynthetic photon flux density (400–700 nm) of 181.7 ± 12.8 μmol m−2 s−1 for 16 h. A significant effect of FR on the architecture of TF was demonstrated, marked by greater stem elongation, shoot branching and flowering, while KO remained insensitive to FR, supporting a genotype x FR interaction. The response of TF to FR was associated with improved photosynthetic capabilities, while KO exhibited an elevated level of abscisic acid (ABA) in its leaves. FR-dependent ABA accumulation might inhibit photosynthesis and prevent the increased plant carbon status required for growth. From a practical perspective, these findings argue in favour of a better reasoning of the choice of the cultivars grown in lighted production systems. Further investigations will be necessary to better understand these genotype-specific responses to FR and to unravel their molecular determinants.

Modelling Nannochloropsis gaditana Growth in Reactors with Different Geometries, Determination of Kinetic Parameters and Biochemical Analysis in Response to Light Intensity

Microalgae are unicellular and photosynthetic microorganisms which grow thanks to inorganic salts, CO2 and light, and find applications in several fields thanks to their variety. The industrial application of microalgae has not often been fully exploited because of a lack of information about how microalgae respond to inputs and to different growth environments. In the present work a model able to predict the microalgae growth in reactors with different geometries was developed. We combined a Monod-like model for the specific growth rate with the Lambert-Beer law of homogeneous light distribution in thick photobioreactors. Kinetic parameters related to the cultivation of the microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana were obtained, for the first time through batch cultivation under different photon flux densities inside a quasi-isoactinic photobioreactor, in order to obtain a practically homogeneous light distribution. The maximum specific growth rate and saturation constant resulted, respectively as µmax = 0.0256 h−1 and Ik = 15.28 µE s−1m−2. These parameters were applied to the model to obtain data on microalgae growth in different geometries. Model simulation results are presented and discussed. Furthermore, biochemical analysis was performed on the biomass obtained at the end of each batch cultivation, grown both under different light intensities and in reactors with different configurations. Results indicated that lipid content increases with increasing average photon flux density. The fatty acid and carotenoids profiles markedly shift when the average light intensity varies: the PUFA content decreases and the SFA content increases when the average light intensity rises, and an accumulation of carotenoids at lower photon flux densities is observed. In conclusion, the model resulted in a useful tool, able to predict the growth of the microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana in reactors with different configurations.

Flexible and Coherent Soft X-ray Pulses at High Repetition Rate: Current Research and Perspectives

The successful realization of high gain free-electron lasers has opened new possibilities to X-ray scientists for investigating matter in different states. The availability of unprecedented photon properties stimulated the development of new experimental techniques capable of taking full advantage of these options and has started a virtuous collaboration between machine experts and photon users to improve further and optimize the generated X-ray pulses. Over the recent years, this has led to the development of several advanced free-electron laser (FEL) schemes to tailor the photon properties to specific experimental demands. Presently, tunable wavelength X-ray pulses with extremely high brilliance and short pulse characteristics are a few of the many options available at FELs. Few facilities can offer options such as narrowband or extremely short pulses below one fs duration and simultaneous pulses of multiple colors enabling resonant X-ray pump—X-ray probe experiments with sub fs resolution. Fully coherent X-ray radiation (both spatial and temporal) can also be provided. This new option has stimulated the application of coherent control techniques to the X-ray world, allowing for experiments with few attoseconds resolution. FELs often operate at a relatively low repetition rate, typically on the order of tens of Hz. At FLASH and the European XFEL, however, the superconducting accelerators allow generating thousands of pulses per second. With the implementation of a new seeded FEL line and with an upgrade at FLASH linac, all the new features will become available in the soft X-ray spectral range down to the oxygen K edge with unprecedented average photon flux due to the high repetition rate of pulses.

Radiation hardness study of the ePix100 sensor and ASIC under direct illumination at the European XFEL

The ePix detector family provides multiple variants of hybrid pixel detectors to support a wide range of applications at free electron laser (FEL) facilities. The ePix detectors are by design versatile and easily re-configurable camera systems with common mechanical, electrical and data acquisition interfaces. Operation of detectors at FEL sources providing high brilliance, high repetition rate and ultra-short X-ray pulses poses a high risk of radiation damage to exposed detector components, such as the sensor and the readout Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Knowledge about radiation-induced damage is important for understanding its influence on the quality of scientific data and the lifetime of the detector.We present the results of a systematic study of the influence of radiation-induced damage on the performance and lifetime of an ePix100a detector module using a direct attenuated beam of the European X-ray Free Electron Laser Facility (European XFEL) at 9 keV photon energy and average power of 10 μW. An area of 20 pixels×20 pixels was irradiated with an average photon flux of ≈ 7× 109 photons/s to a dose of approximately (760± 65) kGy at the location of the Si/SiO2 interfaces in the sensor.A dose dependent increase in both offset and noise of the ePix100a detector have been observed originating from an increase of the sensor leakage current. Moreover, we observed an effect directly after irradiation resulting in the saturation of individual pixels by their dark current. Changes in gain are evaluated one and half hours post-irradiation and suggest damage to occur also on the ASIC level. Based on the obtained results, thresholds for beam parameters are deduced and the detector lifetime is estimated with respect to the requirements to the data quality in order to satisfy the scientific standards defined by the experiments. We conclude the detector can withstand a beam with an energy up to 1 μJ at a photon energy of 9 keV impacting on an area of 1 mm2. The detector can be used without significant degradation of its performance for several years if the incident photon beam intensities do not exceed the detector's dynamic range by at least three orders of magnitude. Our results provide valuable input for the operation of the ePix100a detector at FEL facilities and the design of future detector technology.

Blue Light Monochromatic Irradiation for 12 Hours in Lighting Pattern with Combinations of Blue and Red Light Elongates Young Cos Lettuce Leaves and Promotes Growth under High Daily Light Integral

Cos lettuce was grown under different spectral photon flux density distribution (SPFD) change patterns with blue- and/or red light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation with a 24-hour cycle. Twelve treatments were designed with a combination of four relative SPFD (RSPFD) change patterns and three photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) levels. The RSPFD change patterns were as follows: BR/BR, simultaneous blue- and red-light irradiation (BR) for 24 h; R/BR, red-light monochromatic irradiation (R) for 12 h followed by 12 hours of BR; B/BR, blue-light monochromatic irradiation (B) for 12 hours followed by 12 hours of BR; and B/R, 12 hours of B followed by 12 hours of R. Each RSPFD change pattern was conducted at three daily average photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDave) of 50, 100, and 200 µmol·m−2·s−1. The RSPFD change patterns that included B (B/BR and B/R) resulted in elongated leaves. A low ratio of active phytochrome to total phytochrome under B was considered the reason for leaf elongation. Shoot dry weight was significantly greater under the RSPFD change patterns that included B when the PPFDave was 200 µmol·m−2·s−1. The leaf elongation caused by B would have increased the amount of light received and thereby promoted growth. However, excessive leaf elongation caused the plants to fall, and growth was not promoted under the RSPFD change patterns that included B when the PPFDave was 50 µmol·m−2·s−1. Thus, 12-hour B promoted growth under conditions in which leaf elongation leads to increases in the amount of light received.

Photosynthetic Performance and Potency of <i>Cannabis sativa</i> L. Grown under LED and HPS Illumination

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be used as an energy efficient alternative to high-pressure sodium (HPS), which have historically been the standard for supplemental lighting in cannabis cultivation. However, there is a lack of scientific understanding in the cannabis industry regarding plant physiology, which has resulted in the adoption of cannabis cultivation methods based on hearsay rather than scientific research. The goals of this study were to 1) compare LED lighting options that are commonly used in the cannabis industry and 2) compare the top performing LED light with an industry standard HPS light. Specifically, three LED lights were compared (California Light Works ((SolarSystem 1100), BIOS Lighting (Icarus Gi2), and Fluence Bioengineering (now Fluence by Osram) (SPYDR xPLUS)), based on light distribution, leaf temperature, and photosynthetic performance indices. The LED versus HPS comparison was based on light response curves measured at photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) of (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, 1750 and 2000 μmol∙m−2∙s−1), carbon assimilation rates (A) μmol CO2 m−2∙s−1 using a LiCor-6800 and resulting cannabinoid potency (THCA). The SPYDR xPLUS-Fluence by Osram had the highest performing LED light used in the LED comparison. At the suggested distance from bulb to canopy in the HPS versus LED comparison (6 inches for LEDs and 4 ft for HPS), carbon assimilation rates displayed a 142% percent increase in plants grown under LED vs. HPS with average photon flux densities of 795 and 298 μmol∙m−2∙s−1 for LED and HPS, respectively. All cultivars of Cannabis sativa L. showed increased cannabinoid potency when grown under LED illumination. The results of this study provide further insight regarding the selection of supplemental light to achieve maximum productivity of Cannabis sativa L.

Effect of a photoselective filter on the yield and postharvest quality of 'Viroflay' baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves cultivated in a hydroponic system

Consumers are demanding foods with high sensory and nutritional quality including a higher content of compounds that help maintain good health. Given this scenario, new technologies are emerging to produce fresh salads that have the characteristics currently in demand. Shade nettings or photoselective filters on fruit and vegetable crops are a technology that provides protection, modifies the light spectrum resulting in a higher accumulation of antioxidant compounds, making them more desirable to consumers. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of shade netting on the fresh quality parameters of baby leaf spinach grown in a hydroponic system at harvest and after a period of 10 days at 4 °C. By using different shade netting colors, the average photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) that reaches the plants was modified during the growing period of baby leaf spinach (red: 118.35 μmol m−2 s−1; blue:117.96 μmol m−2 s−1; gray: 63.18 μmol m−2 s−1 and control without shade nettings: 278.12 μmol m−2 s−1). At harvest, baby leaf spinach grown under the red shade netting reached the highest yield. However, with the blue filter, leaves showed a value of 9.3 % dry weight, significantly higher than the values from red and gray filters with values of 7.3 and 6.3 %, respectively. The phenolic compound contents reached significantly higher values of 485.5 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per 100 g−1 FW for the baby leaf spinach grown under the red filter compared to the blue, gray and control filters with values of 472.5; 387.6 and 316.5 mg GAE per 100 g−1 FW, respectively. The antioxidant capacity was significantly higher under the red filter. The sensory quality parameters indicated that spinach grown under color filters did not show off-flavors and maintained its turgidity and appearance at harvest. In the postharvest period, baby leaf spinach grown under red filter maintained the highest total phenol content and antioxidant activity after 10 days at 4 °C with similar appearance and turgidity as the control.

All-Optical Cochlear Implants

In the present work, we introduce a novel cochlear implant (CI) architecture, namely all-optical CI (AOCI), which directly converts acoustic to optical signals capable of stimulating the cochlear neurons. First, we describe the building-blocks (BBs) of the AOCI, and explain their functionalities as well as their interconnections. Next, we present a comprehensive system model that incorporates the technical characteristics and constraints of each BB, the transdermal-optical-channel particularities, i.e., optical path-loss and external-implanted device stochastic pointing-errors, and the cochlear neurons biological properties. Additionally, in order to prove the feasibility of the AOCI architecture, we conduct a link-budget analysis that outputs novel closed-form expressions for the instantaneous and average photon flux that is emitted on the cochlear neurons. Likewise, we define three new key-performance-indicators (KPIs), namely probability of hearing, probability of false-hearing, and probability of neural damage. The proposed theoretical framework is verified through respective simulations, which not only quantify the efficiency of the proposed architecture, but also reveal an equilibrium between the optical transmission power and the patient’s safety, as well as the AOCI BBs specifications. Finally, it is highlighted that the AOCI approach is greener and safer than the conventional CIs.

Longer Photoperiods with Adaptive Lighting Control Can Improve Growth of Greenhouse-grown ‘Little Gem’ Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Supplemental lighting can improve the growth of greenhouse crops, but the electricity required for supplemental lighting can be a significant expense for greenhouse growers. Lighting control strategies that use the dimmability of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have the potential to decrease this cost. In our experiments, we tested the hypothesis that providing ‘Little Gem’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa) plants with the same daily amount of light, spread out over a longer photoperiod and at lower average photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs), would improve growth because light is used more efficiently to drive photosynthesis at lower PPFDs. We conducted two greenhouse experiments wherein supplemental light was provided to reach a minimum daily light integral (DLI) of 17 mol·m−2·d−1 with a 12, 15, 18, or 21-hour photoperiod using adaptive lighting control of LED lights. As the photoperiod for supplemental lighting was increased and supplemental light was provided at lower average PPFDs, plant dry weight increased. Conversion efficiency, the estimated increase in dry weight per Joule expended on supplemental lighting, increased as the photoperiod was extended from 12 to 21 hours. Leaf size and chlorophyll content index increased with longer photoperiods. The number of plants with symptoms of tipburn, including apical and marginal necrosis, also increased as the photoperiod was extended. These results demonstrate that adaptive lighting control can be used to increase the growth of ‘Little Gem’ lettuce and the energy use efficiency of supplemental lighting by providing supplemental light at relatively low PPFDs.

Nitrate accumulation, productivity and photosynthesis of Brassica alboglabra grown under low light with supplemental LED lighting in the tropical greenhouse

Vegetables are a large source of nitrate (NO3−) in our diet. As NO2− is toxic to humans, it is undesirable to consume vegetables with high NO3− content. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementing of red- and blue-LED lighting to B. alboglabra grown in the tropical greenhouse in terms of moderating NO3− accumulation, improving photosynthesis, and enhancing productivity. All plants were grown hydroponically in full nutrients under prevailing greenhouse conditions for 20 days (full sunlight). Thereafter, plants were subjected to three different light treatments for 12 days: full sunlight, shade, and shade supplemented with LEDs. The average midday photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) during the light treatment periods were 220 μmol m−2 s−1 (full sunlight), 55 μmol m−2 s−1 (shade), and 220 μmol m−2 s−1 (shade supplemented with LEDs). Shoot nitrate (NO3−) concentration increased significantly in plants grown in the shade. However, shoot NO3− concentration was reduced when plants were supplemented with red- and blue-LED lighting. Photosynthetic CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, and productivity also improved in these plants. Our results suggest that supplemental red- and blue-LED lighting in a tropical greenhouse during periods of cloudy and hazy weather could improve productivity and nutrient quality of Chinese broccoli.

Productivity related to ambient photon flux for phytoplankton communities under different turbid conditions

Phytoplankton productivity standardized to chlorophyll a and photon flux (mg C mg chl. a−1 mol photons−1) of natural communities from northern Bothnian Sea under dynamic (vertically rotating) incubations and different optical conditions was studied during four mesocosm experiments between April 2013 and April 2016. The standardized productivity showed a positive exponential relationship with calculated optical depth (P < 0.001 in all four cases) although a considerably weaker one for one of the series where the community was pre-adapted to the same optical condition as used in the measurements. This series also showed a lower regression slope than the three non-adapted series, which in turn showed identical regression slopes, thus indicating a similar response on the standardized productivity to short-term changes in average ambient photon flux and mixing depth. These results indicate that phytoplankton communities in environments with episodic inflow and mixing of humus-rich water can partly compensate for the reduced photon flux by increased production efficiency.

Diurnal Changes in Leaf Photochemical Reflectance Index in Two Evergreen Forest Canopies

The spectral properties of plant leaves relate to the state of their photosynthetic apparatus and the surrounding environment. An example is the well known photosynthetic downregulation, active on the time scale from minutes to hours, caused by reversible changes in the xanthophyll cycle pigments. These changes affect leaf spectral absorption and are frequently quantified using the photochemical reflectance index (PRI). This index can be used to remotely monitor the photosynthetic status of vegetation, and allows for a global satellite-based measurement of photosynthesis. Such earth observation satellites in near-polar orbits usually cover the same geographical location at the same local solar time at regular intervals. To facilitate the interpretation of these instantaneous remote PRI measurements and upscale them temporally, we measured the daily course of leaf PRI in two evergreen biomes—a European boreal forest and an Amazon rainforest. The daily course of PRI was different for the two locations: At the Amazonian forest, the PRI of Manilkara elata leaves was correlated with the average photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) ( $R^{2}=0.59$ , $p ) of the 40 minutes preceding the leaf measurement. In the boreal location, the variations in Pinus sylvestris needle PRI were only weakly ( $R^{2}=0.27$ , $p ) correlated with mean PPFD of the preceding two hours; for Betula pendula , the correlation was insignificant ( $p>0.5)$ regardless of the averaging period. The measured daily PRI curves were specific to species and/or environmental conditions. Hence, for a proper interpretation of satellite-measured instantaneous photosynthesis, the scaling of PRI measurements should be supported with information on its correlation with PPFD.