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Impact of light-emitting diode irradiation on photosynthesis, phytochemical composition and mineral element content of lettuce cv. Grizzly

  • Published:
Photosynthetica

Abstract

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a promising technology with a potential to improve the irradiance efficiency, light quality, and the light spectrum for increasing plant yield and quality. In this experiment, we investigated the impacts of various LED light qualities, including 100% red, 100% blue, 70% red + 30% blue, and 100% white, on the growth and photosynthesis, phytochemical contents, and mineral element concentrations in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. ‘Grizzly’) in comparison to normal greenhouse conditions. Photon flux of 300 µmol m−2 s−1 was provided for 14 h by 120 LEDs set on a 60 cm × 60 cm sheet of aluminum platform in the growth chambers, where plants were grown for 60 d. Fresh mass per plant was significantly higher when grown under 100% blue and 70% red + 30% blue LEDs compared to the other environments including greenhouse conditions. Phytochemical concentrations and a nutritive value of lettuce were also significantly affected by the light treatments. Chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations increased in the plants grown under 70% red + 30% blue LEDs compared to those grown in the greenhouse. Vitamin C content was 2.25-fold higher in the plants grown under 100% blue LEDs compared to those grown in the greenhouse. Higher photosynthesis and maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry were also observed in the plants treated with LED lights. The application of LED light led to the elevated concentrations of macro-and micronutrients in lettuce possibly because of the direct effect of LED light and lower stress conditions in the growth chambers compared to the greenhouse. Although the mechanism of the changes in lettuce grown under LED is not well understood, the results of this study demonstrated that LED light could be used to enhance the growth and nutritional value of lettuce in indoor plant production facilities.

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Abbreviations

Car:

carotenoids

Chl:

chlorophyll

DM:

dry mass

FM:

fresh mass

Fv/Fm :

maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry

LED:

light emitting diode

MDS:

multidimensional scaling

TCA:

trichloroacetic acid

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

    A. Amoozgar & A. Mohammadi

  2. Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran

    M. R. Sabzalian

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  1. A. Amoozgar
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  2. A. Mohammadi
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  3. M. R. Sabzalian
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Correspondence to M. R. Sabzalian.

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Amoozgar, A., Mohammadi, A. & Sabzalian, M.R. Impact of light-emitting diode irradiation on photosynthesis, phytochemical composition and mineral element content of lettuce cv. Grizzly. Photosynthetica 55, 85–95 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-016-0216-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-016-0216-8

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