Abstract:
Objective Effects of artificial light exposure on growth, photosynthesis, and carbon metabolism of chili pepper seedlings were studied.
Method Shijilonglong 2 chili pepper plants were grown under the artificial lighting using red (R) and blue (B) lamps in combinations of 2∶1 (T1), 3∶2 (T2) or 3∶1 (T3), along with white light as control (CK). Growth, photosynthesis, sugar content, and activities of key carbon metabolism-related enzymes of the seedlings were monitored.
Result Comparing to CK, the lighting of various R+B lamp combinations grew taller seedlings in 20-40 d. The plants were 26.22% taller under T1, 27.29% under T2, and 8.49% under T3. On the 30th day, those under T2 were 10.50% and those under T3, 3.28% taller. The seedling leaves were significantly longer in 20-40 d under the combination lighting, and significantly wider, larger, and more numerous under T3. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll of the seedlings increased by 14.52%, 60.00%, and 52.17%, respectively, under T3, while the net photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, and stomatal conductance became significantly 44.65%, 43.45%, and 60.00%, respectively, higher under T2. The contents of glucose, sucrose, and starch peaked with 50.14%, 49.20%, and 34.17%, respectively, increases under T2. Meanwhile, the neutral invertase activity rose significantly 21.72% under T3, and the sucrose synthase activity 32.29% under T1.
Conclusion Chili pepper seedlings grew robustly when exposed to the combined R and B lamps in 3:2 ratio (T2) that boosted photosynthetic rate and sugar content to significantly enhance the carbohydrate transformation and accumulation in the plants.