Abstract
In recent years, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been introduced as a new source of supplemental lighting in winter greenhouse crop production to improve yield and quality. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of light supplementation with LEDs on the yield and the concentration of several health-promoting compounds in two cultivars of lamb’s lettuce (Valerianella locusta, L.), ‘Noordhollandse’ and ‘Holländisher’ in a greenhouse cultivation in winter. Four different LED spectra used to extend the photoperiod (16 h day/8 h night) were tested: 10R:0B (100% red), 9R:1B (90% red, 10% blue), 8R:2B (80% red, 20% blue), and 7R:3B (70% red, 30% blue). The control plants were illuminated by high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps. The photosynthetic photon flux density at the plant canopy level was approximately 200 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 in all treatments. The plants were harvested on the 45 th day of light treatment (60 days after sowing). In both cultivars, the 10R:0B LED light treatment resulted in the highest yield, but low concentrations of ascorbic acid, xantophylls, and phenolic compounds. Supplemental lighting with HPS lamps resulted in high concentrations of nitrate and carotenoids, but low fresh mass, ascorbic acid, and total phenols content. The addition of blue light in the spectrum increased antioxidant properties; however, certain effects were cultivar-dependent. High yields with the most satisfactory composition of soluble sugars, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and polyphenols, as well as high antioxidant properties and reduced nitrate levels, in the leaves of the tested cultivars were obtained with 8R:2B LED lighting. Thus, supplemental lighting with 80% red and 20% blue light may be advantageous in greenhouse-cultivated V. locusta ‘Noordhollandse’ and ‘Holländisher’ cultivars.
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Długosz-Grochowska, O., Wojciechowska, R., Kruczek, M. et al. Supplemental lighting with LEDs improves the biochemical composition of two Valerianella locusta (L.) cultivars. Hortic. Environ. Biotechnol. 58, 441–449 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-017-0300-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-017-0300-4