Articles
Influence of LED lights on growth, development, and antioxidant capacity of marigold plants in protected cultivation
Article number
1437_16
Pages
119 – 124
Language
English
Abstract
The need for supplemental light has rapidly increased in the horticultural sector, especially in protected cultivation.
These light sources have been proven to substantially impact plants’ morphological and physiological aspects.
Among various lights, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have gained popularity over conventional lighting.
While controlled environment agriculture predominantly uses LEDs to illuminate fruit and vegetable crops, there is limited focus on their application in ornamental plants.
This study, therefore, aimed to assess the response of marigold (Tagetes erecta) plants, grown in a protected environment, to LED lights.
Three light sources were used to treat marigold seedlings: i) red LED (RL), ii) blue LED (BL), and iii) a combination of both red and blue LED lights (RL+BL). The intensity of both red and blue LEDs was maintained throughout the experiment.
Seedlings under each treatment were isolated with a black sheet to prevent interference from other light sources.
Marigold plants were exposed to LEDs continuously for 12 h day‑1, starting before sunrise and extending after sunset.
Control seedlings were exposed to natural light throughout the experiment.
Results showed that RL treatment promoted early flowering and increased growth parameters such as the number of leaves, whereas BL treatment led to a more elongated plant height.
Both LED lights demonstrated the potential to increase pigments and antioxidant activity in marigold plants.
The ability of LED light to enhance flowering and phytochemicals benefits marigold producers as more of these commodities will be purchased for landscape gardens since they are fully coloured.
Overall, LEDs have the potential to manipulate the growth and development as well as the pigmentation of marigold plants, however, the underlying mechanism of action remains unknown.
These light sources have been proven to substantially impact plants’ morphological and physiological aspects.
Among various lights, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have gained popularity over conventional lighting.
While controlled environment agriculture predominantly uses LEDs to illuminate fruit and vegetable crops, there is limited focus on their application in ornamental plants.
This study, therefore, aimed to assess the response of marigold (Tagetes erecta) plants, grown in a protected environment, to LED lights.
Three light sources were used to treat marigold seedlings: i) red LED (RL), ii) blue LED (BL), and iii) a combination of both red and blue LED lights (RL+BL). The intensity of both red and blue LEDs was maintained throughout the experiment.
Seedlings under each treatment were isolated with a black sheet to prevent interference from other light sources.
Marigold plants were exposed to LEDs continuously for 12 h day‑1, starting before sunrise and extending after sunset.
Control seedlings were exposed to natural light throughout the experiment.
Results showed that RL treatment promoted early flowering and increased growth parameters such as the number of leaves, whereas BL treatment led to a more elongated plant height.
Both LED lights demonstrated the potential to increase pigments and antioxidant activity in marigold plants.
The ability of LED light to enhance flowering and phytochemicals benefits marigold producers as more of these commodities will be purchased for landscape gardens since they are fully coloured.
Overall, LEDs have the potential to manipulate the growth and development as well as the pigmentation of marigold plants, however, the underlying mechanism of action remains unknown.
Publication
Authors
B.L. Ngcobo
Keywords
flowering, landscape, LED technology, ornamentals, pigments, sustainability
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