• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.222-230
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• 2018

This study aimed to determine effects of light-emitting diodes on plant growth, leaf morphology and cell elongation of two cultivars ('World-star' and 'Sushiro') of Spinacia oleracea. Plants were grown in a NFT system for 25 days after transplanting (DAT) under the LEDs [White (W), Red and Blue (RB, ratio 2:1), Blue (B), Red (R) LED] under the same light intensity and photoperiod ($130{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, 12 hours). The 'World-star' variety was significantly higher in shoot fresh and dry weights, leaf number, and leaf area than the 'Sushiro' variety. For the 'World-star' variety, the two treatments of mixed light (RB) and red light (R) showed a 35% higher shoot dry weight than that of blue light (B) and white light (W) at 25 DAT. In the 'Sushiro' variety, mixed light (RB) treatment, which had the highest shoot fresh and dry weights, showed 40% higher than the white light (W) treatment, which had the lowest shoot fresh and dry weights. Both varieties showed leaf epinasty symptom at 21 DAT only in both mixed light (RB) and red light (R), and red light (R) treatment showed significantly higher symptom than mixed light (RB), indicating the leaf epinasty is associated with red light. Microscopic observations of the cell size in the leaf center and edge parts showed that the cell density of leaf edge under the red light (R) was lower than that in leaf center, supporting previous reports that suggest an association of the cell size difference between the leaf center and edge with the leaf epinasty occurrence. Since the blue light (B) plays a role in alleviating the epinasty symptom caused by the red light (R), it seems necessary to identify the appropriate mixing ratio of the two light sources. In addition, the World-star variety seems to be more suitable for the cultivation of plant factory using LED light sources.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

The study aimed to determine effects of light emitting diode (LED) and the ultraviolet radiation (UVA) light of plant factory on plant growth and ascorbic acid content of spinach (Spinacia oleracea cv. Shusiro). Plants were grown in a NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system for 28 days after transplanting with fluorescent light (FL, control), LEDs and UVA (Blue+UVA (BUV), Red and Blue (R:B(2:1)) + UVA (RBUV), Red+UVA (RUV), White LED (W), Red and Blue (R:B(2:1)), Blue (B), Red (R)) under the same light intensity ($130{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$) and photoperiod (16/8h = day/night). All the light sources containing the R (R, RB, RUV, and RBUV) showed leaf epinasty symptom at 21 days after transplanting (DAT). Under the RUV treatment, the lengths of leaf and leaf petiole were significantly reduced and the leaf width was increased, lowering the leaf shape index, compared to the R treatment. Under the BUV, however, the lengths of leaf and leaf petiole were increased significantly, and the leaf number was increased compared to B. Under the RBUV treatment, the leaf length was significantly shorter than other treatments, while no significant difference between the RBUV and RB for the fresh and dry weights and leaf area. Dry weights at 28 days after transplanting were significantly higher in the R, RUV and BUV treatments than those in the W and FL. The leaf area was significantly higher under the BUV treatment. The ascorbic acid content of the 28 day-old spinach under the B was significantly higher, followed by the BUV, and significantly lower in FL and R. All the integrated data suggest that the BUV light seems to be the most suitable for growth and quality of hydroponically grown spinach in a plant factory.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.208-214
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• 2017

This study aimed to determinate the effect of fluorescent light and light-emitting diodes on the leaf morphology, growth and antioxidant capacity of Salvia plebeia. The plants were grown for 56 days after transplanting (DAT) under the fluorescent light (FL) and LEDs (White, Red and Blue (R+B, ratio 2:1), Blue, Red LED) under the same light intensity and photoperiod ($130{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, 12 hours). Leaf length, width and number of Salvia plebeia at the 56 DAT were significantly higher under the FL and red LED, and lower in the RB LED and white LED. The highest fresh and dry weights of shoot and leaf area were observed in the red LED, followed by the FL and blue LED, and the lowest in the RB LED and white LED. After 21 DAT, leaf apinasty symptom was appeared in plants grown under red LED and RB LED. The chlorophyll content was lower in the red LED. The specific leaf weight, the ratio of leaf dry weight to area, was higher in the blue LED, and lowest in the FL. No significant difference in DPPH radical scavenging activity of Salvia plebeia under the different light sources. All the integrated results suggest that the FL light is a proper light conditions for a closed cultivation of Salvia plebeia.