Optimal photoperiod for indoor cultivation of leafy vegetables and herbs

Pennisi, Giuseppina; Orsini, Francesco; Landolfo, Matteo; Pistillo, Alessandro; Crepaldi, Andrea; Senesi, N.; Fernandez, J. A.; Marcelis, L.F.M.; Gianquinto, Giorgio

doi:10.17660/ejhs.2020/85.5.4

Cited by 44 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 59 publications

(54 reference statements)

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“…On the other hand, the elevated energetic requirements (mainly due to electricity consumption associated with artificial lighting, Paucek et al, 2020) are still hindering the large-scale applicability of these systems (Kozai, 2019). Indeed, while technology is rapidly evolving, strategies for reducing the environmental burdens associated with PFALs are also being identified (Son et al, 2016;Pennisi et al, 2019cPennisi et al, , 2020cOrsini et al, 2020) and will likely foster the large-scale application of these technologies in the near future. To date, the most common plant species grown in PFALs are leafy vegetables (e.g., lettuce, basil, microgreens), medicinal plants (e.g., cannabis or other crops used in the preparation of pharmaceutical, herbal or cosmetic products), small fruit (e.g., berries), edible flowers and seedlings (e.g., grafted vegetable) (Kozai, 2013).…”

Section: Vertical Farms With Artificial Lightingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Features and Functions of Multifunctional Urban Agriculture in the Global North: A Review

Orsini

Pennisi

Michelon

et al. 2020

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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Section: Vertical Farms With Artificial Lightingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Features and Functions of Multifunctional Urban Agriculture in the Global North: A Review

Orsini

Pennisi

Michelon

et al. 2020

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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“…Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems like vertical farming (VF) or plant factories with artificial light (PFAL) are proposed as suitable means to produce food in cities [3,4], with several economic and social benefits [5,6]. Crop production in such systems can reach approximately 80-90% higher water and resource use efficiency compared to open field cultivation, thanks to optimal environment control [7,8]. However, these systems require high energy inputs, especially for lighting, which compromise their overall sustainability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Light Intensity from Blue-Red LEDs Enhance Photosynthetic Performance, Plant Growth, and Optical Properties of Red Lettuce in Controlled Environment

et al. 2022

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Plant factories using artificial light to produce vegetables have high energy costs due to the high demand for electricity for lighting. Compared to conventional light sources, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer the possibility of tailoring the light spectrum and regulating light intensity and are more energy-efficient in terms of energy conversion regardless of the levels of lighting intensity. Optimal light intensity and daily light integral (DLI) requirements are key factors for plant growth; however, their values vary among species and varieties. Our experiment aimed to identify the best light intensity to produce lettuce plants in controlled environment. Lettuce plants of the type Batavia cv ‘Blackhawk’ were grown in plastic pots filled with perlite and peat (20:80 v/v) for 33 days in a growth chamber under blue (B, 20%) and red (R, 80%) LED light at a photosynthetic flux density of 130 µmol m−2 s−1 (BR 130, DLI 7.49 mol m−2 d−1), 259 µmol m−2 s−1 (BR 259, DLI 14.92 mol m−2 d−1), and 389 µmol m−2 s−1 (BR 389, DLI 22.41 mol m−2 d−1). Our results showed that increasing light intensity and DLI promotes net photosynthesis, sustains the electron transport rate (ETR), and stimulates the synthesis of anthocyanins and carotenoids, with positive results for plant photoprotection. Furthermore, the decreases in vegetation indexes (photochemical reflectance index (PRI), greenness, and modified chlorophyll absorption in reflectance index (MCARI1)) also indicate changes in photosynthetic pigment content in response to plant acclimation to different DLIs. Among the three light intensities, 389 µmol m−2 s−1 (DLI 22.41 mol m−2 d−1) gave the best results for growing Batavia red lettuce cv ‘Blackhawk’, since it enhances both production and qualitative traits. These results highlight the importance of a proper light intensity to promote plant growth and qualitative traits and to reach high production targets. Hence, preliminary screening of plant performance under different light treatments is recommended to optimise plant response to artificial lighting.

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“…Nowadays, baby leaf vegetables are widely produced using floating systems in plant factories with artificial lighting (PFAL), where their production and resource use efficiency is enhanced. Rocket and spinach have already been tested in PFAL systems showing promising potential for increased yield and nutritional quality [16,17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategic Successive Harvesting of Rocket and Spinach Baby Leaves Enhanced Their Quality and Production Efficiency

et al. 2021

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Rocket and spinach baby leaves are valuable commodities since they are basic components of popular ready-made salads. Two methods may follow after harvesting: establishment of new cultivations or successive revegetations and harvests. This study aimed to investigate the yield and nutritional value of rocket and spinach baby leaves after individual cultivations or successive revegetations in a floating system to improve their production strategy. The crops were cultivated in a greenhouse for seven weeks using a floating system with an adjusted nutrient solution. The leaves were either harvested and immediately replaced with a new set of plants (control) or harvested and placed again in the same tank in order to revegetate (revegetation). Revegetated rocket baby leaves in five cuts produced similar yield, with greater antioxidant capacity (DPPH scavenging activity) and total phenolic content, and greater nitrate content (eight times below the maximum allowed by EU) compared to control. Revegetated spinach produced more yield with enhanced antioxidant activity and total phenolic content and the same nitrate content compared to the control. Colour was not affected in either crop, thus eliminating the possibility for market rejection. Production efficiency was increased, as shown by the yields and the reduced resources provided in the revegetation tank. Thus, successive harvesting and revegetation are suggested for increased production efficiency and quality of rocket and spinach baby leaves.

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Optimal photoperiod for indoor cultivation of leafy vegetables and herbs

Abstract: 2 d -1 -1 photoperiod resulted presented research.

Cited by 44 publications

References 59 publications

Features and Functions of Multifunctional Urban Agriculture in the Global North: A Review

Features and Functions of Multifunctional Urban Agriculture in the Global North: A Review

High Light Intensity from Blue-Red LEDs Enhance Photosynthetic Performance, Plant Growth, and Optical Properties of Red Lettuce in Controlled Environment

Strategic Successive Harvesting of Rocket and Spinach Baby Leaves Enhanced Their Quality and Production Efficiency

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