Impacts of LEDs in the Red Spectrum on the Germination, Early Seedling Growth and Antioxidant Metabolism of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) and Melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Abstract

(1) Background: In recent years, the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for plant production purposes has expanded. However, LEDs’ effect on seed germination and early seedling growth has been scarcely documented. (2) Methods: In this work, the effect of monochromatic red light (RL, 100 µmol m−2 s−1) for up to 60 min applied to seeds of pea and melon was analyzed in terms of seedling growth and antioxidant enzymes levels. An experimental LED chamber coupled to an electronic control system was developed for this purpose. (3) Results: RL did not alter the germination rate, but significantly improved the early seedling growth. Pea and melon seedlings showed the highest increase in fresh weight and length upon 15 min RL treatment of the seeds, whereas longer exposure times decreased seedling growth. Interestingly, RL favored the development of secondary roots in both species, which could favor the nutrition and water uptake by the seedling. The ability of the seedlings to respond to a hypothetical LED irradiance-induced oxidative stress was reflected differently on the antioxidant system of pea and melon. (4) Conclusions: These findings can be relevant for designing seed priming treatments to improve plant vigor, thus enhancing the productivity of important crop plants.

Bioinspired Optimization of Germination Nutrients Based on Lactuca sativa Seedling Root Traits as Influenced by Seed Stratification, Fortification and Light Spectrums

“…The complexity of root phenotyping involves open-field, partially controlled greenhouse, and controlled environment agriculture in generating throughout necessary for plant breeding, genomics, and agricultural intensification (Falk et al, 2020). Morpho-agronomical characterization of root architecture has been carried out on wheat (Tomar et al, 2016), wild lettuce (L. serriola) (Fu et al, 2017), oilseed rape (Brassca napus) (Shi et al, 2013), rice (Oryza sativa L.) (Wang et al, 2020), pea (Pisum sativum L.) and melon (Cucumis melo L.) (Solano, Hernández, Suardíaz, & Barba-Espín, 2020), thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) (Iglesias et al, 2019;Moore et al, 2013), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) (Strock et al, 2019), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) (Alaguero-Cordovilla, Gran-Gómez, Tormos-Moltó, & Pérez-Pérez, 2018), and corn (Zea mays) (Ghorchiani, Etesami, & Alikhani, 2018). Some seeds have a dormancy stage and cold stratification can trigger the seed membrane and promote germination.…”

Effects of light spectrum on morpho-physiological traits of grafted tomato seedlings

“…In other studies, the root formation of in vitro Anthurium plantlets was progressively induced under red LED lights [ 58 ]. Solano et al [ 59 ] reported that exposing pea and watermelon seedlings to red light for 15 minutes gave the highest increase in fresh weight and height, and longer exposure times decreased seedling growth. Here, there were had statistical differences between the exposure of grafted tomato seedlings to different light qualities on the shoot length, where the highest value was under red light.…”

Catalyzing Holistic Agriculture Innovation Through Industrial Biotechnology

“…292 With the ease of controlling the type of light emitted by LEDs, plant scientists and horticulturists are exploring lighting effects on plant growth, morphology, and metabolism. [295][296][297][298] This creates opportunities to intervene in plant production systems with specificity that has been impossible to accomplish in the past.…”