The Perfect Match: Testing the Effect of Increasing Red and Blue Ratio on Baby-Leaf Kale Growth, Yield and Physiology
Within the current scenario of cropland use and forest surface loss, there is a need for the implementation of viable urban farming systems, e.g., indoor vertical farming (VF). Light management is fundamental in VF, although responses to light spectra are often species-specific. As the interest of c...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/11/1134 |
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| Summary: | Within the current scenario of cropland use and forest surface loss, there is a need for the implementation of viable urban farming systems, e.g., indoor vertical farming (VF). Light management is fundamental in VF, although responses to light spectra are often species-specific. As the interest of consumers and farmers towards baby-leaf vegetables has recently increased, this study aimed at assessing the most effective red:blue (RB) ratio for enhanced baby-leaf production of kale (<i>Brassica oleracea</i>). Within an ebb-and-flow system, increasing RB ratios (RB<sub>3</sub>, RB<sub>5</sub>, RB<sub>7</sub> and RB<sub>9</sub>) were tested, sharing a photoperiod of 16 h day<sup>−1</sup> and a light intensity of 215 μmol m<sup>−2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>. A larger yield was obtained for plants under RB<sub>5,</sub> featuring an intermediate B fraction compared to other treatments, with plants displaying more expanded and thinner leaves. Also, for lighting energy and cultivated surface use efficiency, RB<sub>5</sub> was the most effective treatment, performing up to 57 g FW kWh<sup>−1</sup> and 54 kg FW m<sup>−2</sup> y<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. From multispectral data, a tendency of reduced F<sub>v</sub>/F<sub>m</sub> and F<sub>q</sub>′/F<sub>m</sub>′ was observed as the RB ratio increased, while the chlorophyll index was enhanced under RB ≥ 7. This study highlighted the light recipe with an RB ratio of 5 as the most effective lighting mixture for optimal baby-leaf kale production in terms of balanced growth, resource use efficiency and yield. |
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| ISSN: | 2311-7524 |