• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.341-348
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• 2018

To investigate the effect of light sources on the growth and photosynthesis of the dwarf apple rootstock M.9 for the production of standard seedlings, the plants were cultivated in a controlled environment for 6 weeks. The sources of light are six treatments [Red (R), Blue (B), White (W), RBUV (R7B3 containing UV-A), RBW (R3B1W1), SMF (high pressure sodium + metal halide + fluorescent lamp) under $154{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. Growth characteristics of apple seedlings varied depending on artificial light source at 3 weeks and 6 weeks. The plant height of apple seedling was high in the R, RBUV, RBW, and SMF light sources at 3 weeks, and in the R light at 6 weeks. There was no significant difference on stem diameter among the treatments at 3 weeks, but showed high in RBUV and RBW light at 6 weeks. Leaf number was the highest in RBUV light at 3 and 6 weeks. The chlorophyll content (SPAD value) was high in the B and RBUV light at 3 weeks, but it was not significant at 6 weeks. The growth rate to height of the R light (1.12mm/day) was the highest among the treatments, followed by RBUV, RBW, SMF, W and then B. Leaf area was the highest in RBUV and RBW lowest in B. Specific leaf area was high in W and fresh and dry weight were high in RBUV. The photosynthetic rate at 6 weeks was highest in the B and lowest in the R. Stomatal conductivity and transpiration rate were higher in the B and W compared to the other light sources. Therefore, we are considered that light sources for growth of dwarf apple rootstock M.9 seedlings are suitable the R, RBUV, and RBW light sources with a high mixing ratio of Red and Red +Blue.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.400-406
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• 2018

In this experiment the effect of supplemental lighting on the growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. 'Fresh') plants during low radiation period of winter season were investigated in glasshouses using common high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps and newly developed plasma lighting system (PLS) lamps. Plants grown without supplemental lighting were considered as a control. Supplemental lighting was provided from November 20th, 2015 to March 15th, 2016 to ensure 14-hour photoperiod (natural+supplemental light), also lamps were operated automatically when the outside sun radiation levels were less than $100W{\cdot}m^{-2}$. Spectral analysis showed that HPS lamp had a discrete spectrum, lacked of the radiation in the 400-550 nm wave band (blue-green light), but had a high output in the orange-red region (550-650 nm). A higher red light output resulted in an increased red to far-red (R/FR) ratio in HPS lamp. PLS had a continuous spectrum and had a peak radiation in green region (490-550 nm). HPS has 12.6% lower output in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) but 12.6% higher output in near infra-red (NIR) spectral regions compared to PLS. Both HPS and PLS lamps emitted very low levels of ultra-violet radiation (300-400 nm). Supplemental lighting both from HPS and PLS lamps increased plant height, leaf number, internode number and dry weight of cucumber plants compared to control. Photosynthetic activity of cucumber plants grown under two supplemental lighting systems was comparable. Number of fruits per cucumber plant (fruit weight per plant) in control, PLS, and HPS plots were 21.2 (2.9 kg), 38.7 (5.5 kg), and 40.4 (5.6 kg), respectively, thereby increasing yield by 1.8-1.9 times in comparison with control. An analysis of the economic feasibility of supplemental lighting in cucumber cultivation showed that considering lamp installation and electricity costs the income from supplemental lighting increased by 37% and 62% for PLS and HPS lamps, respectively.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.322-326
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• 2012

Recently, researches related to plant factory system has been activated and production of Ssam-vegetables using artificial lighting has been increasing. In South Korea, Ssam-vegetables are very popular and the consumption is increasing every year. Because leaf vegetables cultivated under hydroponic systems are more preferable rather than those cultivated by soil culture in Korea, the plant factory system would be more effective in production of Ssam-vegetables. Therefore, this study was carried out in order to analyze the yield and vitamin C contents in red mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and pak-choi (Brassica campestris var. chinensis), which are used a lot for the Ssam-vegetables in South Korea, as influenced by different concentrations of the nutrient solution in a plant factory system. As a results, there was no significant differences in the plant height among the treatment of EC in the nutrient solution, but for red mustard plants, the number of leaves tended to decrease in the treatment with higher EC. Leaf area of pak-choi plants was significantly increased in the higher EC, while the fresh weight had a tendency to increase along with increasing EC in the nutrient solution for both crops. The photosynthetic rates did not show a distinct tendency by EC levels for red mustard plants, but for pak-choi plants, it tended to be higher at the high EC. The contents of ascorbic acid in leaves were higher with decreasing EC concentration in the nutrient solution for red mustard plants, while the content was the highest at EC $2.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ for pak-choi plants. In summary, considering the marketable yields and vitamin C at different nutrient concentrations in a plant factory, the optimal concentration for red mustard and pak-choi plants was thought to be EC $2.0{\sim}2.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$.