Articles
Comparing artificial lighting options to stimulate off–season blooming in Curcuma alismatifolia
Article number
1435_16
Pages
121 – 126
Language
English
Abstract
Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep is a renowned tropical flower with a significant presence in the global market.
In its native Thailand, this plant typically experiences seasonal flowering during the rainy season from July to August, followed by dormancy from December to February, and then start to sprout again in May.
To meet year-round market demand and enhance grower’s income, there is a need for off-season flower production.
However, it’s essential to prioritize energy efficiency when using supplemental lighting during off-season cultivation.
Since Curcuma alismatifolia is facultative long day plant therefore this research was aimed to evaluate different type of artificial light sources for flower quality improvement.
The plants were cultivated in plastic bags size 12.7×25.4 cm, using a growing medium composed of soil, sand, rice husk charcoal and coconut dust in a 1:1:1:1 ratio.
These bags were placed inside a plastic greenhouse with controlled conditions (24°C, 65% RH and 1,000 µmol m‑2 s‑1), with completely randomized design with 6 treatments.
The experimental treatments were i.e.
T1, no supplement lighting – control treatments under 1,519 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD in day time, T2-3) plants supplied with different artificial lighting using lamps with 13 W with 6.4 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD and 18 W lamps with 9.89 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD in night time of light emitting diode (LED), T4-5) using lamps with15 W with 1.66 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD, and 24 W with 4.88 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD at night time of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and T6) using 400 W with 6.58 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD at night time of high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp.
Supplemental lighting was applied at 20.00-22.00 o’clock every day until plant dormancy.
The results showed that the use of LED lighting had a positive impact on flower quality, particularly in terms of flower stalk length and inflorescence height compared to the control treatment.
Notably, plants exposed to HPS lamps with 400 W exhibited the tallest plant height, longest flower stalk and highest inflorescence height when compared to the other artificial lighting options and control treatment.
Additionally, the quality of rhizome was enhanced when artificial lighting supplement was employed, surpassing the result of the control treatment.
In its native Thailand, this plant typically experiences seasonal flowering during the rainy season from July to August, followed by dormancy from December to February, and then start to sprout again in May.
To meet year-round market demand and enhance grower’s income, there is a need for off-season flower production.
However, it’s essential to prioritize energy efficiency when using supplemental lighting during off-season cultivation.
Since Curcuma alismatifolia is facultative long day plant therefore this research was aimed to evaluate different type of artificial light sources for flower quality improvement.
The plants were cultivated in plastic bags size 12.7×25.4 cm, using a growing medium composed of soil, sand, rice husk charcoal and coconut dust in a 1:1:1:1 ratio.
These bags were placed inside a plastic greenhouse with controlled conditions (24°C, 65% RH and 1,000 µmol m‑2 s‑1), with completely randomized design with 6 treatments.
The experimental treatments were i.e.
T1, no supplement lighting – control treatments under 1,519 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD in day time, T2-3) plants supplied with different artificial lighting using lamps with 13 W with 6.4 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD and 18 W lamps with 9.89 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD in night time of light emitting diode (LED), T4-5) using lamps with15 W with 1.66 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD, and 24 W with 4.88 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD at night time of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and T6) using 400 W with 6.58 µmol m‑2 s‑1 PPFD at night time of high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp.
Supplemental lighting was applied at 20.00-22.00 o’clock every day until plant dormancy.
The results showed that the use of LED lighting had a positive impact on flower quality, particularly in terms of flower stalk length and inflorescence height compared to the control treatment.
Notably, plants exposed to HPS lamps with 400 W exhibited the tallest plant height, longest flower stalk and highest inflorescence height when compared to the other artificial lighting options and control treatment.
Additionally, the quality of rhizome was enhanced when artificial lighting supplement was employed, surpassing the result of the control treatment.
Authors
C. Inkham, K. Panjama, S. Ruamrungsri
Keywords
Siam tulip, forcing, sustainable agriculture, energy saving, supplement lighting, night breaking
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