The influence of light, CO2 and temperature on young plant production
In northern latitudes, it is not uncommon for the photosynthetic daily light integral (DLI) to be ≤5 mol·m-2·d-1 during peak young plant production, necessitating the use of supplemental lighting (SL), air and root-zone heating to stimulate callusing, reduce production time, and increase plug and liner quality. However, some growers are indicating they can reduce young plant production time with the use of low-intensity photoperiodic lighting (PL) from light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Allison’s studies will include evaluation of: greenhouse bedding plant plug production under SL from high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps and SL and photoperiodic lighting (PL) from light-emitting diode (LED) arrays with varying light intensities, qualities, and durations; interaction of CO2 concentration and broad spectrum sole-source light intensity and its effect on plug production; greenhouse propagation of hop cuttings under varying DLIs; and greenhouse propagation of annual and perennial cuttings under varying air and root-zone temperatures. In several of these studies, plugs and liners will be transplanted into a common environment to determine if quality and subsequent flowering are influenced by the treatments received during young plant production.
For more information:
Michigan State University
Allison Hurt and Roberto Lopez
rglopez@msu.edu
www.floriculturealliance.org