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Daily Light Integral Impacts Vegetable Transplant Quality

Wed, Nov 17th, 2021, created by W. Garrett Owen

Vegetable transplant quality can be improved by providing an optimal daily light integral (DLI) of 10 to 15 mol·m–2·d–1. To do so, growers must implement a lighting strategy that manipulates light quantity (intensity) and duration (photoperiod) such as supplemental day-extension lighting. However, this may not be feasible for all. Keeping the glazing material clean, limiting overhead obstructions, retracting shade curtains, or removing white wash are some light management strategies that can increase light transmission into the growing environment while maintaining low electrical costs. Under low DLIs, transplants will often be poor quality, exhibiting reduced root growth and weak, elongated hypocotyls that can be easily broken while handling. Under higher DLIs, root growth increases, and transplants are compact with short, thick hypocotyls and smaller leaves which are less likely to be damaged when handled.




About the Author:

W. Garrett Owen

Assistant Professor of Sustainable Greenhouse and Nursery Systems, The Ohio State University

W. Garrett Owen is an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Greenhouse and Nursery Systems in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University. He has an appointment in research, teaching and Extension. His area of expertise is plant nutrition; plant growth regulation; and production problem diagnostics.

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