Light Spectrum Differentially Affects the Yield and Phytochemical Content of Microgreen Vegetables in a Plant Factory
Light quality exerts considerable effects on crop development and phytochemical content. Moreover, crops grown as microgreens are ideal for plant factories with artificial lighting, since they contain greater amounts of bioactive compounds compared to fully-grown plants. The aim of the present study...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/10/2182 |
| _version_ | 1827678651358904320 |
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| author | Filippos Bantis |
| author_facet | Filippos Bantis |
| author_sort | Filippos Bantis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Light quality exerts considerable effects on crop development and phytochemical content. Moreover, crops grown as microgreens are ideal for plant factories with artificial lighting, since they contain greater amounts of bioactive compounds compared to fully-grown plants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of broad-spectra light with different red/blue ratios on the yield, morphology, and phytochemical content of seven microgreens. Mustard, radish, green basil, red amaranth, garlic chives, borage, and pea shoots were grown in a vertical farming system under three light sources emitting red/blue ratios of about 2, 5, and 9 units (RB2, RB5, and RB9, respectively). Mustard exhibited the most profound color responses. The yield was enhanced in three microgreens under RB9 and in garlic under RB2. Both the hypocotyl length and the leaf and cotyledon area were significantly enhanced by increasing the red light in three microgreens each. Total soluble solids (Brix) were reduced in 4 microgreens under RB2. The total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were reduced under RB2 in 6 and 5 microgreens, respectively. The chlorophylls were variably affected but total the carotenoid content was reduced in RB9 in three microgreens. Overall, light wavelength differentially affected the microgreens’ quality, while small interplays in spectral bands enhanced their phytochemical content. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:15:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-26b0b9a983b44a7d925e0703732ac643 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:15:02Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-26b0b9a983b44a7d925e0703732ac6432023-11-22T19:45:09ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472021-10-011010218210.3390/plants10102182Light Spectrum Differentially Affects the Yield and Phytochemical Content of Microgreen Vegetables in a Plant FactoryFilippos Bantis0Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Environment, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceLight quality exerts considerable effects on crop development and phytochemical content. Moreover, crops grown as microgreens are ideal for plant factories with artificial lighting, since they contain greater amounts of bioactive compounds compared to fully-grown plants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of broad-spectra light with different red/blue ratios on the yield, morphology, and phytochemical content of seven microgreens. Mustard, radish, green basil, red amaranth, garlic chives, borage, and pea shoots were grown in a vertical farming system under three light sources emitting red/blue ratios of about 2, 5, and 9 units (RB2, RB5, and RB9, respectively). Mustard exhibited the most profound color responses. The yield was enhanced in three microgreens under RB9 and in garlic under RB2. Both the hypocotyl length and the leaf and cotyledon area were significantly enhanced by increasing the red light in three microgreens each. Total soluble solids (Brix) were reduced in 4 microgreens under RB2. The total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were reduced under RB2 in 6 and 5 microgreens, respectively. The chlorophylls were variably affected but total the carotenoid content was reduced in RB9 in three microgreens. Overall, light wavelength differentially affected the microgreens’ quality, while small interplays in spectral bands enhanced their phytochemical content.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/10/2182PFALvertical farmingcontrolled environment agricultureartificial lightingphotomorphogenesisantioxidant content |
| spellingShingle | Filippos Bantis Light Spectrum Differentially Affects the Yield and Phytochemical Content of Microgreen Vegetables in a Plant Factory Plants PFAL vertical farming controlled environment agriculture artificial lighting photomorphogenesis antioxidant content |
| title | Light Spectrum Differentially Affects the Yield and Phytochemical Content of Microgreen Vegetables in a Plant Factory |
| title_full | Light Spectrum Differentially Affects the Yield and Phytochemical Content of Microgreen Vegetables in a Plant Factory |
| title_fullStr | Light Spectrum Differentially Affects the Yield and Phytochemical Content of Microgreen Vegetables in a Plant Factory |
| title_full_unstemmed | Light Spectrum Differentially Affects the Yield and Phytochemical Content of Microgreen Vegetables in a Plant Factory |
| title_short | Light Spectrum Differentially Affects the Yield and Phytochemical Content of Microgreen Vegetables in a Plant Factory |
| title_sort | light spectrum differentially affects the yield and phytochemical content of microgreen vegetables in a plant factory |
| topic | PFAL vertical farming controlled environment agriculture artificial lighting photomorphogenesis antioxidant content |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/10/2182 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT filipposbantis lightspectrumdifferentiallyaffectstheyieldandphytochemicalcontentofmicrogreenvegetablesinaplantfactory |