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Photomorphogenesis, photosynthesis, and seed yield of wheat plants grown under red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with and without supplemental blue lightingRed light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a potential light source for growing plants in spaceflight systems because of their safety, small mass and volume, wavelength specificity, and longevity. Despite these attractive features, red LEDs must satisfy requirements for plant photosynthesis and photomorphogenesis for successful growth and seed yield. To determine the influence of gallium aluminium arsenide (GaAlAs) red LEDs on wheat photomorphogenesis, photosynthesis, and seed yield, wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. 'USU-Super Dwarf') plants were grown under red LEDs and compared to plants grown under daylight fluorescent (white) lamps and red LEDs supplemented with either 1% or 10% blue light from blue fluorescent (BF) lamps. Compared to white light-grown plants, wheat grown under red LEDs alone demonstrated less main culm development during vegetative growth through preanthesis, while showing a longer flag leaf at 40 DAP and greater main culm length at final harvest (70 DAP). As supplemental BF light was increased with red LEDs, shoot dry matter and net leaf photosynthesis rate increased. At final harvest, wheat grown under red LEDs alone displayed fewer subtillers and a lower seed yield compared to plants grown under white light. Wheat grown under red LEDs+10% BF light had comparable shoot dry matter accumulation and seed yield relative to wheat grown under white light. These results indicate that wheat can complete its life cycle under red LEDs alone, but larger plants and greater amounts of seed are produced in the presence of red LEDs supplemented with a quantity of blue light.
Document ID
20040089310
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Goins, G. D.
(NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach FL United States)
Yorio, N. C.
Sanwo, M. M.
Brown, C. S.
Sager, J. C.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of experimental botany
Volume: 48
Issue: 312
ISSN: 0022-0957
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS10-12180
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Life Support Systems
NASA Center KSC

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