• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the effect of light quality on evapotranspiration and graft-taking characteristics of watermelon grafted seedlings using blue, red and far-red light-emitting diodes (LED). At initial stage of graft-taking, blue light increased the evapotranspiration rate (EVTR) of grafted seedlings as compared to effects of red and far-red on EVTR of grafted seedlings. Grafted seedlings graft-taken under red and blue LED showed the high graft-taking of 100% and 96%, respectively. However, grafted seedlings graft-taken under far-red LED showed the graft-taking of 80% and survival of 60% with low seedlings quality after hardening. The stem of grafted seedlings graft-taken under red light was elongated but blue light suppressed the stem elongation. The leaf area of grafted seedlings graft-taken under red light was increased. It is concluded that the effect of light quality using LED on graft-taking of watermelon grafted seedlings was significantly recognized. Considering the duration of quality of grafted seedlings graft-taken under artificial lighting, LED could be used as an effective lighting sources to validate the continuance of seedling quality.