From Lab to Greenhouse: Shedding Light on the Role of Spectral Quality and CO2 Concentration in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Production

Date

2020-05-04

Authors

Lanoue, Jason

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Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Guelph

Abstract

During the light limiting winter months in Canada and other northern countries, supplementary lighting is needed during greenhouse production to meet consumer demand for fresh vegetables. The advancements in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have made them a viable source for supplementary lighting, with many advantages over traditionally high pressure sodium (HPS) luminaries. Due to their low heat emittance, compact design, and ability to supply wavelength specific light, LEDs provide an unparalleled flexibility in the development and implementation of lighting strategies for crop production. This thesis is an investigation of spectral quality and CO2 concentration and how these factors can affect tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) growth specifically tailored towards the implementation of LED lighting fixtures in commercial production. Fundamental pathways such as CO2 and H2O gas exchange at both the leaf and whole plant level as well as the process of carbon export were examined under a variety of spectral qualities and CO2 concentrations. Results from experiments involving whole plant gas exchange and carbon export were then used during a production style greenhouse experiment where the effects of continuous lighting on tomato physiology and yield were assessed. Results from this thesis aim to not only increase our understanding of how fundamental pathways respond to abiotic stress, but also how utilizing laboratory data can aid in the design and implementation of greenhouse lighting strategies to increase yield and sustainability of tomato production during light limiting periods.

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Keywords

Tomato, Greenhouse, Photosynthesis, Carbon Export, Light Quality, Water Movement, Continuous Lighting

Citation