Light sources indoor benefit the growth and development of pepper cultivars

Abstract

ABSTRACT Light is a determining factor in plant morphophysiology, as it influences the growth and development of agricultural crops. Thus, the objective was to investigate the effects of light sources on the growth and development of “biquinho” pepper cultivars. The experiment was performed in two stages (Exp1 and Exp2), evaluating two cultivars (BRS Moema; Airetama biquinho) in five light sources (white LEDs, red LEDs, blue LEDs, red/blue LEDs, and fluorescent lamps). In Exp1 the plants were kept in a controlled condition, with a completely randomized design, in a 2x5 factorial scheme (cultivars x light sources) until 76 days after emergence (DAE), in which growth variables and photosynthetic pigments were evaluated. In Exp2, the plants were removed from the above conditions and transplanted in pots, being kept in greenhouse for more 76 DAE. At 152 DAE, the same variables as Exp1 were evaluated, as well as gain of shoot fresh and dry mass, and gain of root fresh and dry mass. In both experiments, growth variables were affected by cultivar and the light sources, however, the behavior did not follow the same trend for all variables, indicating that the light quality influences the growth of the crops, and impacting during greenhouse conditions.

Keywords

• Capsicum chinense
• light quality
• light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
• photosynthetic pigments