THE EFFECT OF LIGHT COLOUR AND TYPE OF LAMPS ON ROOTING AND NUTRIENT STATUS IN CUTTINGS OF MICHAELMAS DAISY

A. Schroeter-Zakrzewska, T. Kleiber

Abstract: The experiment analyzed the effect of light of different colour variants emitted by two types of lamps on rooting and nutrient status in cuttings of Michaelmas daisy (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii var. novi-belgii) ‘Barbados’. Trays with cuttings were placed in a growth chamber on racks equipped with two types of lamps: fluorescent Philips TLD and LED Tube lamps by Leuchtek. Lamps emitted light colours: white, green, blue, red, blue+red and yellow + red. For all colour variants the intensity of quantum irradiation was 35 μmol·m-2·s-1. It was found that rooting in cuttings was dependent on lamp type and light colour. Colour of light significantly modified plant nutrient status in case of nitrogen, sodium, iron and manganese, while the type of light source influenced the contents of calcium, sodium and iron in aboveground parts of plants. Conducted investigations documented a significant variation in plant nutrient status under the influence of their exposure to qualitatively different sources of light. Determination of occurring phenomena and their mechanisms, in view of the rapid development in lighting technologies (including LED), requires several studies conducted under strictly controlled conditions in vegetation chambers at artificial lighting of plants. Results of investigations conducted by the authors need to be considered as a contribution to a better understanding of the occurring phenomena.

Keywords: fluorescent lamps; LED lamps; macroelements; microelements

Date published: 2017-10-13