Get in touch
Questions about growing, workshops, the cooperative or partnerships? Send us a message and we will reply by email.
Prefer email? Write to erasmus@evec.org.gr
EVEC Microgreens
Effect of Low Light Intensity With Supplemental Far-Red Light on Growth, Yield and Quality of Broccoli Microgreens
ABSTRACT One of the main obstacles to indoor agriculture is the high expense of lighting energy. The purpose of this study was to investigate how to grow b
Shirin Shahkoomahally, Irma Ortiz, Xudong Zhu, Ellen R. Turner, Yanfang Li, Jianghao Sun, Tianbao Yang
Food Science & Nutrition · 2025 · https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70542
Abstract
ABSTRACT One of the main obstacles to indoor agriculture is the high expense of lighting energy. The purpose of this study was to investigate how to grow broccoli microgreens under low light with higher yield and better quality. Broccoli seedlings were exposed to different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) ranging from 50 to 150 μmol/m 2 s, along with supplemental far‐red (FR) light (20% of total photon flux density (TPFD)) at 50 and 75 μmol/m 2 s. Broccoli grown under 50, 75, and 100 μmol/m 2 s exhibited the highest fresh weight. As light intensity decreased, the hypocotyl length of broccoli microgreens increased. High chlorophyll, carotenoid, and anthocyanin contents were observed at 100 and 150 μmol/m 2 s, while ascorbic acid and total phenolics were higher at 50 and 75 μmol/m 2 s. The addition of FR light resulted in increased plant height, fresh weight, and antioxidant concentration. However, there was a significant decrease in total phenolic content. These results indicate that broccoli microgreen can adapt to low light with high yield and quality. Addition of FR under low light can further increase microgreen yield and plant height. Furthermore, postharvest quality and shelf‐life of microgreens under 50 and 75 μmol/m 2 s were better than those under 100 and 150 μmol/m 2 s. This research provides the platform for further managing microgreen growth under low light to reduce energy consumption for controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
Licence and reuse
| Licence | CC-BY-4.0 |
|---|---|
| May we host this PDF? | Yes |
| May we publish a plain-language summary? | Yes — this licence permits adaptations. |
| Commercial use permitted? | Yes |
| Share-alike required? | No |
How to credit this work
Shirin Shahkoomahally; Irma Ortiz; Xudong Zhu; Ellen R. Turner; Yanfang Li; Jianghao Sun; Tianbao Yang (2025). Effect of Low Light Intensity With Supplemental Far-Red Light on Growth, Yield and Quality of Broccoli Microgreens. Food Science & Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70542 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.
Explore this on our site
- How to grow it: Broccoli microgreens — growing guide
- Related reading: Extending the shelf life of microgreens
- Related reading: Broccoli microgreens and sulforaphane what the research shows
- Related reading: Microgreens and their anti inflammatory antioxidant and preventive potential
- Related reading: The antioxidant capacity of radish microgreens
About this copy
This is a copy of the published article, hosted by EVEC Athens for free educational use under its open licence. The permanent scientific reference is the DOI above. We have not altered the file in any way. If you are an author or rights holder and want this copy removed, please use our notice and takedown procedure. We acknowledge every request within five working days, and act within ten.
Co-funded by the European Union.
This portal presents the microgreens methodology; the organisation behind it is EVEC Athens — the European Voluntary and Educational Center (evec.org.gr). Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Open licence. Except where stated otherwise, the educational materials on this portal are licensed under CC BY 4.0 — free to use, adapt and share, including commercially, with credit. See the licence terms.
Accessibility. We aim for WCAG 2.1 AA and publish what does and does not yet meet it — see the accessibility statement. If anything here blocks you, tell us and we will send the material in a format that works for you.