Regulation of Photoassimilate Distribution between Source and Sink Organs of Crops through Light Environment Control in Greenhouses

Abstract

Photosynthesis, the most important physiological process in plants, can produce not only ATP and NADPH used in other processes but also carbohydrate, the key factor for crop yield. Production of photoassimilates is often influenced by various environmental factors such as light, temperature, CO 2 , water, mineral elements and leaf stage and position. Here we focused on the light-mediated regulation of photoassimilate translocation in plants and the application of light environment control in greenhouse production. We also reviewed the effects of other factors including leaf age and position, air temperature, CO 2 concentration and water and mineral element supply on photoassimilate translocation in plants. Finally some perspectives have been proposed.

The Co-Involvement of Light and Air Temperature in Regulation of Sex Expression in Monoecious Cucumber (<i>Cucumis sativus</i> L.)

“…These results suggest that PTR could influence the growth of monoecious cucumber in a cultivar-specific manner. The total number of female nodes is very important for fruit set and final yield of cucumber and can be influenced by light and air temperature [26]. We here analyzed sex expression of the three monoecious cucumber cultivars under different PTR treatments.…”

Influence of Perlite and Jiffy Substrates on Cucumber Fruit Productivity and Quality

“…For example there are studies that evaluate the influence of temperature and light on sugar content and on the enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose to the corresponding monomers glucose and fructose, but comparative studies which pursuit the evolution of these compounds depending on the growth of cucumber on different substrates were not found (Mi, Liu, Zhang, & Ren, 2012;L. N. Wang, Yang, Ren, & X. F. Wang, 2014;Rybus-Zając, Kubiś, & Bocianowski, 2014).…”

Supplemental LED interlighting on the physiological response and yield of mini-cucumber

“…reported positive effect of light supplemental on fruit yield. Photoassimilates movement is also light quality dependent, but evidence indicates that this translocation may be specie-specific (Wang et al, 2014). As previously mentioned as LED advantage, these lamps may be programed to work in specifics wavebands length more suitable for the plant.…”

“…With an increase of light intensity, the photoassimilate translocation from leaves is promoted in cucumber plants (Robbins and Pharr, 1987). Light intensity positively affects indirectly the stomata opening and directly the activity of enzymes related to photoassimilate translocation, decisive process in carbohydrate transport (Hashimoto et al, 2013;Yonekura et al, 2013; cited by Wang et al, 2014).…”

“…Thus, interlighting may contributes well the photoassimilate movement, including the supply from the leaves at the bottom layer (Wang et al, 2014), that stimulates a better fruit load favoring commercial yield.…”