Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

The Effects of Different Supplementary Light Sources on the Quality of Grafted Tomato Seedlings and the Expression of Two Photosynthetic Genes

Version 1 : Received: 25 August 2018 / Approved: 27 August 2018 / Online: 27 August 2018 (08:02:31 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Wei, H.; Hu, J.; Liu, C.; Wang, M.; Zhao, J.; Kang, D.I.; Jeong, B.R. Effect of Supplementary Light Source on Quality of Grafted Tomato Seedlings and Expression of Two Photosynthetic Genes. Agronomy 2018, 8, 207. Wei, H.; Hu, J.; Liu, C.; Wang, M.; Zhao, J.; Kang, D.I.; Jeong, B.R. Effect of Supplementary Light Source on Quality of Grafted Tomato Seedlings and Expression of Two Photosynthetic Genes. Agronomy 2018, 8, 207.

Abstract

Supplementary lighting is commonly used in high-quality seedling production. In this study, grafted tomato seedlings were grown for 10 days in a glasshouse with a 16-hour daily supplementary lighting at 100 μmol·m−2·s−1 PPFD from either high pressure sodium (HPS), metal halide (MH), far-red (FR), white LEDs (W), or mixed LEDs (W1R2B1) to determine which light sources improve the seedling quality. The control did not have any supplementary light. The physiological parameters and the expression of genes related to photosynthesis were analyzed. The results show that the root length, biomass, number of leaves, chlorophyll (SPAD), dry weight to height ratio (WHR) of the scion, and specific leaf weight (SLW) were the greatest for grafted seedlings grown in W1R2B1. The level of root ball formation was the greatest for seedlings grown in W1R2B1, followed by those grown in W, HPS, and MH. Seedlings grown in FR did not fare very well, as they were very thin and weak. Moreover, the expression of two photosynthetic genes (PsaA and PsbA) was significantly increased by W1R2B1 and W, which suggests that the plastid or nuclear genes might be regulated. The overall results suggest that W1R2B1 was the most suitable light source to enhance the quality of grafted tomato seedlings. The results of this study could be used as a reference for seedling production in glasshouses, and provide new insights in the research of lights affecting the development of plants.

Keywords

WHR; SLW; PsaA; PsbA

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Agricultural Science and Agronomy

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