Decrease In Light Intensity Research Articles

Effect of Different Light Intensities on the Quality of ‘Korla’ Fragrant Pear Fruits

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different light intensities on the quality of ‘Korla’ fragrant pear fruits. The differences in fruit quality were determined by evaluating the pigment content and fluorescent characteristics of the peel. The date of fruit weight, aspect ratio, soluble sugar content, soluble solid content, reducing sugar content, and vitamin C content of fruits, were higher under 100% light intensity than in shade treatment. However, firmness of the peel and pulp, and titratable acid content were enhanced in shade-treatment. Total chlorophyll, Chl a, and Chl b contents gradually decreased with the reduction in light intensity. The anthocyanin content gradually decreased with the decrease in light intensity. The maximum photochemical efficiency (FV/FM) of PSII significantly declined at 1% light intensity. As the light intensity decreased, the actual fluorescence quantum efficiency of PSII (F′V/F′M), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and actual photochemical efficiency of PSII (ΦPS II) progressively decreased. The results indicate that photoinhibition occurred in the peel of fragrant pear fruits. Shade treatment reduced the intrinsic quality of ‘Korla’ fragrant pear fruits, whereas a moderate decrease in light intensity could enhance the extrinsic quality of fruits.

Response of blueberry photosynthetic physiology to light intensity during different stages of fruit development.

To investigate the response of blueberry photosynthetic physiology to different light intensities during different stages of fruit development. In this study, four light intensity treatments (25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of full light) were set up to study the change rule of photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic characteristics of 'O'Neal' southern highbush blueberry leaves during the white fruiting stage (S1), purple fruiting stage (S2) and blue fruiting stage (S3) under different light intensity environments, and to explore the light demand and light adaptability of blueberry during different developmental stages of the fruit. The results showed that the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of blueberry leaves showed an increasing trend with decreasing light intensity at all three stages of fruit development. The total chlorophyll content of blueberry leaves at 25% light intensity increased by 76.4% compared with CK during the blue fruiting stage; the maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pmax), light compensation point (LCP), light saturation point (LSP), rate of dark respirations (Rd), inter-cellular CO2 concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), net photosynthesis rate (Pn), and chlorophyll a/b showed a decreasing trend with decreasing light intensity. The Pn of blueberry leaves was highest under full light conditions at all three stages, and the Pn at 25% light intensity decreased by 68.5% compared with CK during the white fruiting stage Reflecting the fact that blueberries can adapt to low-light environments through increases in chlorophyll and carotenoids, but reduced light intensity significantly inhibited their photosynthesis. The photosynthetic physiology of blueberry showed a consistent pattern at all three stages, but there were some differences in the changes of photosynthetic parameters at different stages. The results of the study can provide theoretical references for the selection of sites and density regulation in blueberry production.

Triplet-Triplet Annihilation-Based Photon Upconversion with a Macrocyclic Parallel Dimer.

The integration of multiple chromophore units into a single molecule is expected to improve the performance of photon upconversion based on triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA-UC) that can convert low energy photons to higher energy photons at low excitation intensity. In this study, a macrocyclic parallel dimer of 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) with a precisely parallel orientation, named MPD-2, is synthesized, and its TTA-UC properties are investigated. MPD-2 shows a green-to-blue TTA-UC emission in the presence of a triplet sensitizer, platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP). Compared to monomeric DPA, MPD-2 results in an enhancement of the spin statistical factor of TTA and a decrease in the excitation light intensity due to the intramolecular TTA process. The obtained structure-property relationship provides important information for the further improvement of TTA-UC properties.

Light sensitivity of the circadian system in the social Highveld mole-rat Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae.

Highveld mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae) are social rodents that inhabit networks of subterranean tunnels. In their natural environment, they are rarely exposed to light, and consequently their visual systems have regressed over evolutionary time. However, in the laboratory they display nocturnal activity, suggesting that they are sensitive to changes in ambient illumination. We examined the robustness of the Highveld mole-rat circadian system by assessing its locomotor activity under decreasing light intensities. Mole-rats were subjected to seven consecutive light cycles commencing with a control cycle (overhead fluorescent lighting at 150lx), followed by decreasing LED lighting (500, 300, 100, 10 and 1lx) on a 12h light:12h dark (L:D) photoperiod and finally a constant darkness (DD) cycle. Mole-rats displayed nocturnal activity under the whole range of experimental lighting conditions, with a distinct spike in activity at the end of the dark phase in all cycles. The mole-rats were least active during the control cycle under fluorescent light, locomotor activity increased steadily with decreasing LED light intensities, and the highest activity was exhibited when the light was completely removed. In constant darkness, mole-rats displayed free-running rhythms with periods (τ) ranging from 23.77 to 24.38 h, but was overall very close to 24 h at 24.07 h. Our findings confirm that the Highveld mole-rat has a higher threshold for light compared with aboveground dwelling rodents, which is congruent with previous neurological findings, and has implications for behavioural rhythms.

Nutritional Quality of Basal Resource in Stream Food Webs Increased with Light Reduction—Implications for Riparian Revegetation

Biofilms are considered a basal resource with high nutritional quality in stream food webs, as periphytic algae are abundant of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). PUFAs are essential for growth and reproduction of consumers who cannot or have very limited capacity to biosynthesize. Yet, how the nutritional quality based on PUFA of basal food sources changes with light intensity remains unclear. We conducted a manipulative experiment in mesocosms to explore the response and mechanisms of nutritional quality to shading, simulating riparian restoration. We found a significant increase in PUFA% (including arachidonic acid, ARA) under shading conditions. The increased PUFA is caused by the algal community succession from Cyanobacteria and Chlorophyta to Bacillariophyta which is abundant of PUFA (especially eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; docosahexaenoic acid, DHA). On the other hand, shading increased PUFA via upregulating enzymes such as Δ12 desaturase (FAD2, EC:1.14.19.6) and 3-ketoacyl-CoA synthase (KCS, EC:2.3.1.199) in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid elongation pathways. Our findings imply that riparian reforestation by decreasing light intensity increases the nutritional quality of basal resources in streams, which may enhance transfer of good quality carbon to consumers in higher trophic levels through bottom-up effects.

CRY1 is involved in the take-off behaviour of migratory Cnaphalocrocis medinalis individuals

BackgroundNumerous insect species undertake long-distance migrations on an enormous scale, with great implications for ecosystems. Given that take-off is the point where it all starts, whether and how the external light and internal circadian rhythm are involved in regulating the take-off behaviour remains largely unknown. Herein, we explore this issue in a migratory pest, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, via behavioural observations and RNAi experiments.ResultsThe results showed that C. medinalis moths took off under conditions where the light intensity gradually weakened to 0.1 lx during the afternoon or evening, and the take-off proportions under full spectrum or blue light were significantly higher than that under red and green light. The ultraviolet-A/blue light–sensitive type 1 cryptochrome gene (Cmedcry1) was significantly higher in take-off moths than that of non-take-off moths. In contrast, the expression of the light-insensitive CRY2 (Cmedcry2) and circadian genes (Cmedtim and Cmedper) showed no significant differences. After silencing Cmedcry1, the take-off proportion significantly decreased. Thus, Cmedcry1 is involved in the decrease in light intensity induced take-off behaviour in C. medinalis.ConclusionsThis study can help further explain the molecular mechanisms behind insect migration, especially light perception and signal transmission during take-off phases.

Distribution pattern and driving factors of mite communities in karst cave ecosystems.

Mites are among the most abundant invertebrates in subsurface ecosystems, and their community assemblages and distributions are often significantly influenced by the diversity of habitat resources. The cave ecosystem encompasses drastic changes in nonbiological factors, such as changes in lighting conditions from bright to extraordinarily dark and habitat gradients of surface plant resources from abundant to scarce or even disappearing, providing an ideal unique environment for evaluating the assembly mechanism of soil animal communities. Nevertheless, there still needs to be a sufficient understanding of the biodiversity patterns and drivers of mite communities across environmental gradients in karst caves. We conducted a comprehensive survey on the composition and diversity of soil mites in three photometric zones (dark, twilight, and light) of a typical karst cave and its adjoining extractive environments (forest scrub and farmland). Our research aimed to investigate the ecological relationships of mite communities between above- and below-ground habitats and the effects of abiotic factors on mite communities. We collected 49 families, 86 genera, and 1284 mites. In the external cave environment, we captured 1052 mites from 72 genera and 45 families; in the internal cave environment, we captured 232 mites from 46 genera and 29 families. The abundance, richness of genera, and diversity parameters of the mite community decreased from the cave entrance to the cave interior with decreasing light intensity. Oribatid mites dominated the mite community. Protoribates and Scheloribates were the dominant genera, along with Tectocepheus and 11 other genera, which primarily distinguished the mite communities among different habitats. Forty endemic taxa were found in the external cave environment, compared to 14 endemic taxa in the internal cave environment. The mite community showed a strong preference for the cave ecosystem habitat. Temperature, humidity, and soil nitrogen content significantly influenced the distribution pattern of mite communities (VIP > 0.8, p < 0.05).

Stoichiometric modulation and scintillation property characterization of Ce,Ca:LuAG ceramics

AbstractDue to the huge difference in the solubility‐product constants (Ksp) between the precipitates of Lu and Al, the synthesis of lutetium aluminum garnet (Lu3Al5O12, LuAG) nanopowders by coprecipitation method is prone to Lu loss, resulting in the creation of Al2O3 secondary phase. In this work, coprecipitated (Ce0.001Ca0.0015Lu(0.9975+x%))3Al5O12 (x = 0, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5) nanopowders with different starting stoichiometries are synthesized and combined with vacuum pre‐sintering and hot‐isostatic pressing to fabricate scintillating ceramics. The effect of compensated Lu content on the phase composition, microstructure, optical properties, and scintillation performance of ceramics is analyzed. The complete elimination of the secondary phase requires an additional compensation of 1.2% of Lu, which gives the best transmittance in ceramics. When x = 1.5, excessive Lu forms LuAl antisite defect, leading to the decrease of both light yield and intensity of the fast scintillation component.

The Effect of Light Intensity on the Chlorogenic Acid Biosynthesis Pathway in Marsdenia tenacissima

The goal of this study was to understand the effect of light intensity on the chlorogenic acid content and biosynthesis-related gene expression in Marsdenia tenacissima. In this study, M. tenacissima plants were treated with different light intensities; the chlorogenic acid content was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography; and transcriptome sequencing was performed. The amount of chlorogenic acid in the control was the highest and differed significantly from that under three different shading treatments. With a decrease in light intensity, the content of chlorogenic acid also showed a decreasing trend. A total of 1149 differentially expressed genes were identified by transcriptome sequencing, and most of the genes were down-regulated under the 90% shading treatment. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified the differentially expressed genes associated with light-induced chlorogenic acid biosynthesis. The different shading treatments down-regulated the expression of the chlorogenic acid biosynthesis pathway structural genes (HCTs). The MIKC family genes were the main transcription factors regulating light-induced chlorogenic acid biosynthesis, but the MYB and SBP family genes were also involved. In summary, combined physiological and transcriptome analysis, candidate structural genes, and transcription factors in the biosynthesis pathway of chlorogenic acid were identified in M. tenacissima.

Nitrogen addition alleviates water loss of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) under drought by affecting light-induced stomatal responses

The combined climate-change-evoked drought and nitrogen (N) deposition have severely affected plant carbon and water relations governed by stomata. However, the interplay between steady-state and dynamic stomatal behavior responses to light remains unclear regarding its impact on plant water and carbon relations. The objective here was to investigate whether light-induced stomatal dynamics could mitigate the adverse effects of steady-state gas exchange on water conservation or photosynthesis under drought and N addition conditions. We conducted a manipulative experiment to investigate the impacts of throughfall reduction, N addition, and their combination on light-induced stomatal and photosynthetic dynamics in a Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) forest. We determined the influence of stomal response rate on water loss and photosynthesis, and further assessed whether it mitigated the effects of steady-state gas exchange (gs). We found that Moso bamboo decreased gs under throughfall reduction, while accelerated stomatal opening and biochemical activation when irradiance increased, which reduced the lag in photosynthesis during the induction period. In contrast, under the combined throughfall reduction and N addition condition, Moso bamboo increased gs but showed faster stomatal closure, which decreased the percentage of transpiration following a decrease in light intensity. Our findings indicate that stomatal dynamic behavior may depend on the effects of steady-state gas exchange on water conservation and carbon uptake under different soil water and N conditions. These discoveries contribute to our understanding of the coupling mechanisms of plant water use and carbon uptake in the context of global changes.

Phytochemical compositions and antioxidant activity of green and purple basils altered by light intensity and harvesting time

Ocimum basilicum L. is one of the most important medicinal and vegetable crops due to its essential oil, pleasant aroma and taste. In this study, we evaluated the impact of different light intensities, including 100 %, 50 %, and 30 % of natural sunlight, on the growth, phytochemical compositions, and antioxidant activity of green and purple basil cultivars at two different harvest times: early morning and noon. The height of the plant, number of leaves per plant, length of the petiole, diameter of the stem, and fresh and dry weight of the shoot were all reduced by decreasing light intensity in both basil cultivars. When the plants of both cultivars were grown under full light intensity and were sampled at noon, they showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. The highest antioxidant activity was detected in purple basil cultivars grown under 30 and 50 % of sunlight in both harvests. The green basil cultivar showed the highest antioxidant activity when exposed to 30 % sunlight and harvested in the early morning. The highest essential oil content and yield in both basil cultivars were obtained under full sunlight in the early morning harvests. In summary, light intensity and harvest time influence the phytochemical yield, composition, and growth of two studied basil cultivars. Optimal results, particularly for medicinal purposes, were achieved by morning harvesting to maximize the essential oil yield of basils.

Vortex position detection using a scanning triangular aperture in a digital micromirror device

Optical vortices, as solutions to the wave equation, remain stable under ideal theoretical conditions. However, in experiments where beams produced with holograms and spatial light modulators introduce perturbations, their phase structures can be disrupted, leading to instability. Specifically, higher-order optical vortices (with topological charge |ℓ|>1 ) are inherently unstable in that they tend to separate in a series of optical vortices with unit topological charge (|ℓ|=1) even with small perturbations. In this work, we demonstrate a technique to detect the positions of optical vortices using a scanning triangular aperture in a digital micromirror device and a digital pinhole. We observe the diffraction patterns of a vortex through the triangular aperture, and we show that we can determine the center of an optical vortex (OV) by measuring the intensity at the center of a pattern using a digital pinhole. We investigate the changes in the measured signal for different triangular apertures and pinhole sizes. We observe that while smaller pinholes lead to a decrease in light intensity, the detected position of a single OV with unit topological charge is similar for all pinhole sizes. We also find that the triangular aperture size becomes important when locating vortex pairs. Using a triangular aperture with a radius R = 0.52 mm, we can resolve OV pairs at least 86.4μ m apart in our experiments. Our methods help pave the way to understanding the fundamental behavior of multiple vortex interactions in optical beams and also can be used when determining the position of an OV in metrology.

Shading in fruit changes the polyphenol accumulation of pellicle by regulating activity of key enzymes and expression of their gene related polyphenol anabolism of Juglans sigillata Dode

Polyphenols, abundant in the pellicle of walnuts, confer health benefits to the human body. The intricate relationship between light and phenolic compounds underscores the impact of shading, which can effectively diminish phenolic content and enhance the palatability of food. In this study, we delved into the connection between polyphenol accumulation, related enzyme activities, and gene expression in the pellicle of Juglans sigillata Dode under varying degrees of shading. The results show that different shade intensities can change polyphenols’ content and affect the activity of key polyphenols anabolism enzymes and their gene expression. With the increase of the shading intensity, the total phenolics content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) were lower than the nomal light. In the mature stage, shading 60 % was lowest. 7 individual phenolics were identified in the pellicle, and the content of each varied significantly with the decrease of light intensity. Except for p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid, which were higher than the control at mature stage, all phenolics were lower than the control, but the overall trend was the same as that of the control. The activity of key enzymes in the anabolism of polyphenols was significantly affected after shading. In complete darkness phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) was highest at the kernel-filling stage, shading 20 % of chalcone synthase (CHS) and shading 60 % of flavonol synthase (FLS) responded most strongly at the hard-core stage, while flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) was most active at shading 60 % of kernel-filling stage, which was 2.03, 1.38, 4.67, and 2.08 times that of the control, respectively. The expression levels of key genes showed that the expression level of JsPAL was significantly increased at hard-core stage and mature stage, and the expression of JsPAL was 3.85 times higher than that of the control at the mature stage with 60 % shading. Correlation analysis showed that PAL enzyme activity was highly correlated with TPC, TFC and various individual phenolics with the increase of shading intensity. The content of p-coumaric acid was positively correlated with the activities of 4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase (4CL), F3H and FLS. The increase of shading intensity enhanced the correlation between total phenolics content, total flavonoids content, individual phenolics substances and JsPAL, JsC4H, JsCHS, JsCHI and JsFLS. Overall, PAL was a key enzyme affecting polyphenol accumulation under different shading levels, while at the genetic level, JsPAL, JsC4H, JsCHS, JsCHI and JsFLS were the key genes affecting them. This study will potentially provide more information for light management and polyphenol regulation in walnut cultivation.

A novel rapid bioluminescence-based antimicrobial susceptibility testing method based on adenosine triphosphate consumption.

Standard, phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) methods require 16-20 h of incubation and are considered as the bottleneck in providing timely input for appropriate antimicrobial treatment. In this study, a novel adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-bioluminescence-based method which allows rapid AST within 3 h was described. Standard AST was performed for 56 Enterobacterales isolates using EUCAST disk diffusion (DD) methodology. For the bioluminescence-based rapid AST, suspensions of bacteria were prepared using Mueller-Hinton broth to obtain a turbidity of 0.5 McFarland. The suspensions were distributed into 96-well microtiter plates. ATP (20 mM) and fixed concentrations of different antibiotics were added. Following incubation at 37°C for 1 h, a luminescent reaction mixture, including the substrate luciferin and luciferase enzyme solutions, was added. The chemiluminescence was monitored using an imaging system. Light production demonstrated the presence of ATP, indicating that the isolate was susceptible to the antibiotic in the well. Absence or decrease of light intensity, compared with the growth control well, indicated the use of ATP as an indirect measure of bacterial growth, and therefore resistance to the antibiotic in the well. The novel AST method was tested using a total of 348 test wells. Concordance was achieved for 290 (83.3%) of the tests, whereas 52 (14.9%) and 6 (1.7%) tests caused minor and major errors, respectively. In this study, a bioluminescence-based rapid AST was developed based on the consumption of ATP by bacteria. Our method's uniqueness relies on determining ATP consumption by microorganisms in the presence or absence of an antibiotic. The novel AST method described in this study lays the groundwork for obtaining rapid results, which should be considered as a proof of concept. With further optimization studies, this novel method can provide higher accuracy and be introduced into clinical practice as a routine AST method.

The Effects of a Fishery Complementary Photovoltaic Power Plant on the Near-Surface Meteorology and Water Quality of Coastal Aquaculture Ponds

To date, most studies focus on the ecological and environmental effects of land-based photovoltaic (PV) power plants, while there is a dearth of studies examining the impacts of water-based PV power plants. The effects of a fishery complementary PV power plant, a kind of water-based PV technology, on the near-surface meteorology and aquaculture water environment were investigated in coastal aquaculture ponds in southeast China. The results showed that PV prevented 89~93% of the solar radiation on the surface of the pond, resulting in an average reduction in water temperature of 1.5 °C and a substantial decrease in light intensity of 94%. Furthermore, it weakened the wind speed by 41~50% and elevated the surface air temperature by an average of 0.6 °C. In addition, PV power results in an impressive decrease in chlorophyll-α of 72~94% and a notable increase in dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations of 8~24%. PV power also reduced the concentration of labile phosphate, active silicate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total organic carbon. However, the PV power did not have a substantial influence on the concentrations of nitrate and ammonium. Our results highlight that fishery complementary PV power plants may be able to improve water quality and benefit shade-loving species.

Natural Lighting Study of the Smith Alam Sutra Building, Tangerang City

In architectural planning, natural lighting systems need to be considered. With the right program, natural light has an impact on occupant productivity and satisfaction. Controlling lighting use is necessary to manage the glare effect in the room, in addition to its advantages in terms of energy efficiency. The application of minimalist facade systems without additional shading elements is increasing in number, and the form is increasingly minimalist. Minimalist facade designs are not suitable for use in tropical countries with abundant sunlight. Apart from increasing the cost of electrical loads, sunlight penetrating buildings through transparent walls or glass also causes a glare effect in space. Therefore, it is necessary to study and implement the lighting system correctly to ensure a high-quality room atmosphere. The research method uses a mixed-methods approach, carried out using an explanatory sequential strategy. The analysis process begins with a qualitative research stage, followed by quantitative research. Research data was obtained from literature studies, observations, and interviews with planners, owners, and residents. The simulation results showed that the installation of shading (horizontal, vertical, and combined) on the west side, following the SNI no. 03-2396-2001 method to reduce glare, did not decrease the value of light exposure received by the building mass of the Smith building. Based on the activities conducted, measurements on units that are already operational, and which are still in standard condition have informed us that proper interior implementation contributes to decreasing light intensity values in office, SOHO, and apartment spaces

ELONGATED HYPOTCOTYL5 and SPINE BASE SIZE1 together mediate light-regulated spine expansion in cucumber.

Plant trichome development is influenced by diverse developmental and environmental signals, but the molecular mechanisms involved are not well understood in most plant species. Fruit spines (trichomes) are an important trait in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), as they affect both fruit smoothness and commercial quality. Spine Base Size1 (CsSBS1) has been identified as essential for regulating fruit spine size in cucumber. Here, we discovered that CsSBS1 controls a season-dependent phenotype of spine base size in wild-type plants. Decreased light intensity led to reduced expression of CsSBS1 and smaller spine base size in wild-type plants, but not in the mutants with CsSBS1 deletion. Additionally, knockout of CsSBS1 resulted in smaller fruit spine base size and eliminated the light-induced expansion of spines. Overexpression of CsSBS1 increased spine base size and rescued the decrease in spine base size under low light conditions. Further analysis revealed that ELONGATED HYPOTCOTYL5 (HY5), a major transcription factor involved in light signaling pathways, directly binds to the promoter of CsSBS1 and activates its expression. Knockout of CsHY5 led to smaller fruit spine base size and abolished the light-induced expansion of spines. Taken together, our study findings have clarified a CsHY5-CsSBS1 regulatory module that mediates light-regulated spine expansion in cucumber. This finding offers a strategy for cucumber breeders to develop fruit with stable appearance quality under changing light conditions.

Deep learning algorithms reveal increased social activity in rats at the onset of the dark phase of the light/dark cycle.

The rapid decrease of light intensity is a potent stimulus of rats' activity. The nature of this activity, including the character of social behavior and the composition of concomitant ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), is unknown. Using deep learning algorithms, this study aimed to examine the social life of rat pairs kept in semi-natural conditions and observed during the transitions between light and dark, as well as between dark and light periods. Over six days, animals were video- and audio-recorded during the transition sessions, each starting 10 minutes before and ending 10 minutes after light change. The videos were used to train and apply the DeepLabCut neural network examining animals' movement in space and time. DeepLabCut data were subjected to the Simple Behavioral Analysis (SimBA) toolkit to build models of 11 distinct social and non-social behaviors. DeepSqueak toolkit was used to examine USVs. Deep learning algorithms revealed lights-off-induced increases in fighting, mounting, crawling, and rearing behaviors, as well as 22-kHz alarm calls and 50-kHz flat and short, but not frequency-modulated calls. In contrast, the lights-on stimulus increased general activity, adjacent lying (huddling), anogenital sniffing, and rearing behaviors. The animals adapted to the housing conditions by showing decreased ultrasonic calls as well as grooming and rearing behaviors, but not fighting. The present study shows a lights-off-induced increase in aggressive behavior but fails to demonstrate an increase in a positive affect defined by hedonic USVs. We further confirm and extend the utility of deep learning algorithms in analyzing rat social behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations.

Improvement in productivity of strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.) under vertical farming system

Vertical farming has evolved keeping in view the constraints of space due to the increasing population and shrinking agricultural land. Although vertical farming is more associated with small-duration crops, especially vegetables, flowers, and annuals such as strawberry can also be grown through the selection of appropriate variety and farming structure. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of full spectrum light on the growth, flowering, fruiting, and yield of strawberry under a vertical farming system. Results revealed that plant height, plant spread, petiole length, number of leaves, number of fruits, average berry weight, and average yield were highest at light intensity of 175–200 μmol s-1m-2. It was observed that in T1 when plants were at the fourth level or top level (L4) of verticals under natural light, were superior in comparison to plants at lower levels in T2 (L3), T3 (L2), and T4 (L1) due to decreasing light intensity down to the base of verticals. The plants grown with an additional supply of artificial full spectrum light (AFSL) at these lower levels had performed better in T5 (2 h at L3), T6 (4 h at L2) and T7 (6 h at L1) in terms of growth, flowering, fruiting, and yield of strawberry and were at par to T1. In the vertical farming system, space, water, nutrient, and light optimization is possible as it ensures efficient resource utilization such as precision agriculture. Thus, the supply of AFSL is important to ensure sustainable yield in vertical farming.

Development of Photomyxotrophic Culture Protocol of Lemongrass Through Sucrose Concentration Increase and Light Intensity Decrease

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Randle) plantlets are interesting to be used as tissue culture-based souvenir. The success of plantlet propagation through photomyxotrophic culture is influenced by several factors, including sucrose concentration and light intensity. The research aimed to analyze the effect of sucrose concentration and light intensity on the growth of lemongrass plantlets. This experimental research used randomized block factorial design with two factors, namely sucrose concentration (0 g/l, 10 g/l, 20 g/l, 30 g/l) and light intensity (2000 lux, 3000 lux, 4000 lux, 5000 lux). The variables observed were some parameters of growth and development of plantlet. The data were analyzed with two-way Analyses of Variance and Duncan Multiple Range Test. The results showed that sucrose concentration had significant effect on the number of shoots and leaves of plantlet. The light intensity and the interaction of both factors had also significant effect on the number of shoots and leaves. The most optimal treatments were sucrose of 20 g/l and light intensity of 3000 lux. The results of this study innovate the tissue culture technique using photomyxotrophic system in order to produce sterile lemongrass plantlets in large quantities.