Response of Eustoma Leaf Phenotype and Photosynthetic Performance to LED Light Quality

• Published in: Horticulturae Vol. 3; no. 4; p. 50
• Main Authors: Roni, Md Zohurul Kadir, Islam, Md Saiful, Shimasaki, Kazuhiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.12.2017
• Subjects: adaxial and abaxial epidermal layer; Carbon dioxide; Chlorophyll; Conductance; Eustoma; Eustoma grandiflorum; Flux density; Gene expression; Growth stage; leaf gas exchange; leaf thickness; Leaves; Light effects; Light emitting diodes; Light quality; Morphology; Organic light emitting diodes; palisade cell; Phenotypes; Photosynthesis; photosynthetic performance; Physiology; Plant growth; Quality; Resistance; Stomata; stomatal characters; Stomatal conductance; Thickness; Transpiration; Japan
• ISSN: 2311-7524; 2311-7524
• DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae3040050

In a controlled environment, light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has been associated with affecting the leaf characteristics of Eustoma. LEDs help plant growth and development, yet little is known about photosynthetic performance and related anatomical features in the early growth stage of Eustoma leaves. In this study, we examined the effects of blue (B), red (R), and white (W) LEDs on the photosynthetic performance of Eustoma leaves, as well as leaf morphology and anatomy including epidermal layer thickness, palisade cells, and stomatal characteristics. Leaves grown under B LEDs were thicker and had a higher chlorophyll content than those grown under the R and W LEDs. Leaves under B LEDs had greater net photosynthetic rates (A), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration rates (E), especially at a higher photon flux density (PPFD), that resulted in a decrease in the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), than leaves under the W and R LEDs. B LEDs resulted in greater abaxial epidermal layer thickness and palisade cell length and width than the R and W LED treatments. The palisade cells also developed a more cylindrical shape in response to the B LEDs. B LED leaves also showed greater guard cell length, breadth, and area, and stomatal density, than W or R LEDs, which may contribute to increased A, gs and E at higher PPFDs.