• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2004

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of light intensity (100, 200, 400 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$, and natural light) on the growth and the fruit quality of cucumber(Cucumis sativus cv. Hyakunari-3). The results of this experiment indicated that plant height and length of lateral shoots were decreased under low light condition, but it was not significantly different among treatments. Leaf area and root weight were lowest under low light intensity(100 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$), but no significant differences were noted between 200 and 400 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$. Photosynthesis rate was decreased with reduced light intensity and total chlorophyll contents, root activity and xylem sap were also decreased under low light intensity, but there was no significant difference between 200 and 400 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$. From the SEM observation the erosion of the guard cells and closed stomata in low light treatment were shown and the size of stoma were small also the stomatal aperture were decreased with reducing the light intensity. Chlorosis in leaves and aborted-liked fruits were appeared under low light condition and Ca and Mg uptake in leaves were decreased by shading in proportion to the decrease of light intensity. Fruit yields were decreased by 65% under 400 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$, and by 80${\sim}$90% under 200 and 100 ${\mu}mol\;{\codt}\;m^{-2}\;{\cdot}\;s^{-1}$, compared to those under the natural light. This low intensity of light caused the sharp decrease in the early harvested yields within two weeks and the fruit yields of lateral shoots were greatly decreased.