Effect of end-of production continuous lighting on yield and nutritional value of Brassicaceae microgreens

Abstract

The effect of continuous lighting applied in the end-of-production period on growth and nutritional quality of radish (Raphanus sativus var. radicula), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italic), mizuna (Brassica rapa. var. nipposinica) and arugula (Eruca sativa) was investigated in growth chambers under LED lighting. Microgreens were grown under 16 h photoperiod and 3 days before harvest half of plants were placed under continuous lighting conditions. Pre-harvest continuous lighting treatment increased yield, robustness index, and shorten time to harvest in radish, broccoli, mizuna and arugula microgreens. The end-of-production treatment has also led to higher content of compounds with antioxidative properties (flavonoids, proline) and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, APX, GPX) by inducing mild photooxidative stress. Increased antioxidative status added nutritional value to microgreens that can be used as functional foods providing health benefits. Pre-harvest treatment by continuous lighting is suggested as the practice than can allow producers to increase yield, aesthetic appeal, nutritional quality, and market value of Brassicacea microgreens.