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EVEC Microgreens
Differential Effects of Low Light Intensity on Broccoli Microgreens Growth and Phytochemicals
To produce high-quality broccoli microgreens, suitable light intensity for growth and phytochemical contents of broccoli microgreens in an artificial light
Meifang Gao, Rui He, Rui Shi, Yiting Zhang, Shiwei Song, Wei Su, Houcheng Liu
Agronomy · 2021 · https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11030537
Abstract
To produce high-quality broccoli microgreens, suitable light intensity for growth and phytochemical contents of broccoli microgreens in an artificial light plant factory were studied. Broccoli microgreens were irradiated under different photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD): 30, 50, 70 and 90 μmol·m−2·s−1 with red: green: blue = 1:1:1 light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The broccoli microgreens grown under 50 μmol·m−2·s−1 had the highest fresh weight, dry weight, and moisture content, while the phytochemical contents were the lowest. With increasing light intensity, the chlorophyll content increased, whereas the carotenoid content decreased. The contents of soluble protein, soluble sugar, free amino acid, flavonoid, vitamin C, and glucosinolates except for progoitrin in broccoli microgreens were higher under 70 μmol·m−2·s−1. Overall, 50 μmol·m−2·s−1 was the optimal light intensity for enhancement of growth of broccoli microgreens, while 70 μmol·m−2·s−1 was more feasible for improving the phytochemicals of broccoli microgreens in an artificial light plant factory.
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How to credit this work
Meifang Gao; Rui He; Rui Shi; Yiting Zhang; Shiwei Song; Wei Su; Houcheng Liu (2021). Differential Effects of Low Light Intensity on Broccoli Microgreens Growth and Phytochemicals. Agronomy. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11030537 Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Hosted by EVEC Athens (microgreens.org.gr). No changes were made to this article. Provided as-is, without warranties. EVEC Athens is not affiliated with, and this copy is not endorsed by, the authors or the publisher.
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