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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2017, Vol. 16 Issue (01): 97-105    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(16)61393-X
Physiology·Biochemistry·Cultivation·Tillage Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Effects of light intensity on leaf microstructure and growth of rape seedlings cultivated under a combination of red and blue LEDs
YAO Xu-yang, LIU Xiao-ying, XU Zhi-gang, JIAO Xue-lei

College of Agronomy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, P.R.China

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Abstract  The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth of rape (Brassica napus L.) seedlings under different light intensities to select appropriate conditions for cultivation in an indoor system.  Seedlings were grown under different light intensities of red and blue light provided by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and their self-adjustment ability and changes in leaf microstructure were evaluated.  Light was supplied by red LEDs with peak wavelengths of 630 (R1) and 660 nm (R2) and by blue LEDs (B) with a peak wavelength of 445 nm (the light intensity ratio of R1:R2:B was 3:3:2), at intensities of 400 (R1R2B400), 300 (R1R2B300), and 200 μmol m–2 s–1 (R1R2B200).  Natural solar light served as the control (C).  Plant height, stem diameter, root length, leaf area, and dry weight of rape seedlings gradually increased with increasing light intensity.  The seedlings in the R1R2B400 treatment grew more vigorously, while those in the R1R2B200 treatment were weaker.  The photosynthetic pigment contents did not differ significantly between the R1R2B400 treatment and C, but were significantly lower in the R1R2B300 and R1R2B200 treatments.  The highest intercellular CO2 concentration, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate were in the R1R2B300 treatment.  The highest photosynthetic rate was in the R1R2B400 treatment, and was related to more compact leaves, thicker and tidier palisade and spongy tissues, and well-developed chloroplasts.  In contrast, the seedlings in the R1R2B200 treatment had disordered mesophyll cells, round chloroplasts, and fractured and fuzzy grana lamellae, all of which inhibited plant growth.  In conclusion, the seedlings in the R1R2B400 treatment had well-developed leaves, which favored photosynthesis.  Compared with the light intensities below 300 μmol m–2 s–1, the light intensity of 400 μmol m–2 s–1 provided by a combination of red and blue LEDs was beneficial for cultivating strong and healthy rape seedlings in an artificial system.  
Keywords:   light intensity      rape seedlings      mesophyll cell      chloroplast      stomata      photosynthetic characteristics  
Received: 01 March 2016   Accepted:
Fund: 

This study was funded by the National High-Tech R&D Program of China (2013AA103003) and the Agricultural Research Special Funds for Public Welfare Projects, China  (201303108).

Corresponding Authors:  LIU Xiao-ying, E-mail: liuxy@njau.edu.cn   

Cite this article: 

YAO Xu-yang, LIU Xiao-ying, XU Zhi-gang, JIAO Xue-lei. 2017. Effects of light intensity on leaf microstructure and growth of rape seedlings cultivated under a combination of red and blue LEDs. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 16(01): 97-105.

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