Studies on LED Wavelength to Enhance Growth and Bio-active Compounds of Carrots

Commercial greenhouse plant factories are highly efficient for controlling external factors such as floods, drought, insects, air pollution etc. However, they require substantial startup & maintenance investments and experimental research to optimize production. These facilities are especially useful for urban farming where high efficiency in small spaces is required. In this study, we investigated whether light emitting diode (LED) lights with mixed dominant wavelengths (650 nm : 550 nm : 445 nm=8:1:1, 650 nm : 445 nm=6:4) can increase the growth rate and bio-active compound content of carrots in comparison to that of fluorescent light (FL). LED with mixed wavelength (650 nm : 550 nm : 445 nm=8:1:1) increased the total weight and root circumference of carrots compared to FL. However, β-carotene contents were not significant in LED (650 nm : 550 nm : 445 nm=8:1:1). However, LED (650 nm : 445 nm=6:4) increased the β-carotene (FL: 7.27, LED: 10.48 mg/g β-carotene dried weight). These results suggested that using LED light at the ideal wavelength, at the antithesis color of the plant, might enhance plant growth and bio-active compound contents.