Radiation use efficiency by tomato transplants grown under extended photoperiod

S. Rakutko¹*, A. Avotiņš², K. Berzina², E. Rakutko¹ and I. Alsina³

¹Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM, branch in Saint Petersburg, Filtrovskoje Shosse, 3, p.o. Tiarlevo, RU196625 Saint Petersburg, Russia
²Riga Technical University, Faculty of Power and Electrical Engineering, Kalku street 1, LV-1658 Riga, Latvia
³Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Plant and Soil Science, Liela street 2, LV–3001 Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: sergej1964@yandex.ru

Abstract:

The study focused on the effect of an extended photoperiod on the radiation use efficiency (RUE) by the tomato transplants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in the pre–reproductive period. In two consecutive series of experiments, the photoperiod was 16 and 22 hours. The photon irradiance at the plant tops was maintained at low, medium and high levels: 100, 170 and 240 μmol m^–2 s^–1, respectively. The plants were grown under two lighting systems with different light quality. The difference was 7% higher blue flux share in Spectrum II. The use of an extended photoperiod, especially in combination with high irradiance level, resulted in the plant leaf chlorosis. When varying the radiation dose components, the deviation from the reciprocity law was recorded. By the analysis results, the chlorophyll degradation was a response to the extended photoperiod rather than the radiation dose. Without additional blue flux, under a regular photoperiod, RUE reduced by 8% at the high irradiance level. Under extended photoperiod, the shift from the low to high irradiance level reduced RUE by 20–37%, with bigger reduction values being observed at higher irradiance levels. Seven percent addition of blue flux made it possible to increase RUE by 5–8% at the same and lower irradiance levels and under the regular photoperiod. With the extended photoperiod under these conditions, RUE decreased by 8–21%. The study results verify a great influence of an extended photoperiod on RUE, while the degree of influence depends on other parameters of light environment – light quality and irradiance level.

Key words:

biometry, chlorophyll, chlorosis, doze, irradiance, light quality, photoperiod, radiation use efficiency

In vitro rooting of PR 204/84 rootstock (Prunus persica x P. amygdalus) as influenced by mineral concentration of the culture medium and exposure to darkness for a period

S. Fotopoulos and T.E. Sotiropoulos*

N.AG.RE.F., Pomology Institute, P.O. Box 122, 59200 Naoussa, Greece
*Corresponding author; e-mail: thosotir@alfanet.gr

Abstract:

Reduction of the mineral concentration of MS medium to half the normal value increased the rooting percentage of PR 204/84 explants when IBA concentration was 2.5 μM, and mean root number when IBA concentrations were 2.5 and 5 μM. Root elongation was stimulated at all IBA levels on both full and half strength media. By increasing IBA concentration from 0 to 10 μM, an increase in the mean root number per shoot was observed in both media (full and half strength). The mean length of roots was not significantly affected by IBA and mineral concentration of the culture media. In a second experiment, after 12 days of culture of shoots in a dark room followed by 12 days in standard growth room conditions, rooting percentage of shoots increased in comparison to shoots grown for 24 days in standard growth room conditions with IBA concentrations 1 and 2.5 μM.

Key words: