Greenhouse Plant Production Journal
Quarterly

Growth and photosynthesis characteristics of lettuce cultivars in response to supplementary LED lights and replacement methods of the nutrient solution

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hamidreza Soufi 1
Awais Ali 2
Mahdiyeh Shojaee KHabisie 1

1 Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

2 Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, MI, Italy

https://doi.org/10.61186/gppj.1.3.28
Abstract
Growing global warming and a projected rise in the world's population have made it imperative to produce food and agricultural products with a limited supply of water and energy sources. Conversely, there is a need to employ modern technologies, such as LED artificial lights, to ensure that plants receive adequate light energy. Therefore, this research was aimed at increasing the efficiency of supplementary LED lights, with three lettuce cultivars namely Red Sail, Edox and Summer Bibb, for four light spectrums (white, a combination of red and blue, monochromatic red and monochromatic blue) and three replacement methods of the nutrient solution for the aeroponic system such as complete replacement of the nutrient solution, based on electrical conductivity (EC) and based on plant needs. The results depicted that white light significantly affected the fresh shoot and root weight in Red Sails variety under the complete replacement method of the nutrient solution. Similarly, the highest photosynthetic pigments concentrations were observed under the combination of red and blue and for monochromatic red light. Moreover, the significant Pn, E, gs, Ci and spad were observed under white light and in all three replacement methods of nutrient solutions whereas the most positive effect was recorded in the replacement method based on plant needs. Therefore, the simultaneous use of supplemental lights and replacement methods of nutrient solution, particularly replacement based on the plant needs increases the production of agricultural products like lettuce in addition to lowering the consumption of electricity, water, and nutrients for agricultural production.

Keywords

Hydroponic
Global Warming
Leaf Lettuce
Butterhead Lettuce
LED lamps
Plant needs
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Greenhouse Plant Production Journal
Volume 1, Issue 3
Summer 2024
Pages 28-44

  • Receive Date 18 October 2024
  • Revise Date 27 December 2024
  • Accept Date 28 December 2024
  • First Publish Date 28 December 2024
  • Publish Date 01 September 2024

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