Articles
MANIPULATION OF LIGHT SPECTRUM FOR CROP GROWTH REGULATION
Article number
711_49
Pages
357 – 362
Language
English
Abstract
Crop plant growth responses to light spectral quality can be exploited to deliver a range of agronomically desirable plant traits.
This can be achieved using a new generation of plastics with specific spectral properties as crop covers.
Over a period of two UK growing seasons we have investigated the potential of the following four plastics a) a widely used commercial Standard clear b) a filter that is largely UV transparent c) a UV blocking filter and d) a filter that increases the ratio of red: far-red radiation in manipulating plant growth for commercially desirable end-points in propagation lettuce and two brassica crops.
At the end of the propagation stage both plant height and total leaf area was significantly reduced under the UV-transparent and red: far red films in lettuce and cabbage but not cauliflower. Final yields of cauliflower and lettuce from plants propagated under the UV-transparent film were significantly higher than from standard.
The R:FR increasing film gave higher yields than standard in lettuce, but in cabbage yields were significantly lower in plants from the R:FR film.
The mechanisms of these responses are discussed.
This can be achieved using a new generation of plastics with specific spectral properties as crop covers.
Over a period of two UK growing seasons we have investigated the potential of the following four plastics a) a widely used commercial Standard clear b) a filter that is largely UV transparent c) a UV blocking filter and d) a filter that increases the ratio of red: far-red radiation in manipulating plant growth for commercially desirable end-points in propagation lettuce and two brassica crops.
At the end of the propagation stage both plant height and total leaf area was significantly reduced under the UV-transparent and red: far red films in lettuce and cabbage but not cauliflower. Final yields of cauliflower and lettuce from plants propagated under the UV-transparent film were significantly higher than from standard.
The R:FR increasing film gave higher yields than standard in lettuce, but in cabbage yields were significantly lower in plants from the R:FR film.
The mechanisms of these responses are discussed.
Authors
N.D. Paul, J.P. Moore
Keywords
Spectral modification, propagation crops, field trials
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