Special issue in honour of Prof. Reto J. Strasser - JIP-test as a tool for early diagnostics of plant growth and flowering upon selected light recipe

Abstract

Light is a major factor controlling plant growth and development. To assess the impact of the applied light conditions, we aimed to sort out a tool for early diagnostics of the plant physiological state. We investigated the effect of a blue:red:far-red LED light formula recommended for improved plant performance (flowering). High (BR) and low (BRS) light intensity variants were compared to normal (W) and 'shadowed' (WS) white fluorescent controls. The efficiency of the JIP-test to determine changes during early growth of pea plants was compared to additional physiological characteristics (growth parameters, thermal stability of the thylakoid membranes, chlorophyll content, CO2 assimilation, transpiration). Our data showed the onset of growth inhibition under BR light, while BRS light stimulated plants to reach the flowering stage similarly as the W control. We concluded that the JIP-test is appropriate for early, reliable, and nondestructive analysis of light recipes for plant growth and flowering.

Keywords

• biomass
• chlorophyll fluorescence
• differential scanning calorimetry
• electron transport
• net photosynthetic rate
• pisum sativum
• water content