Culture-technic researches for year round production of agricultural plants inside plant factory system, which controlled the environmental factors of air temperature, relative humidity, nutrient, CO2 concentration, light intensity or quality, have be...
Culture-technic researches for year round production of agricultural plants inside plant factory system, which controlled the environmental factors of air temperature, relative humidity, nutrient, CO2 concentration, light intensity or quality, have been vigorously proceeded. In this study, control effects of light intensity and nutrient-solution concentration were investigated on growth of perennial chive (Allium hookeri) seedstock and Korean thistle (Cirsium setidens) seedlings inside plant factory system. Yamazaki solution was irrigated by deep flow technique (DFT) system during the culture period. Air temperature and relative humidity inside the system were maintained at 22℃ and 50%, respectively. Korean thistle seedlings which developed two true leaves were cultured under 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5 dS m-1 EC (Electrical conductivity), 5.8 pH, and 150 μmol m-2 s-1 PPF for 8 weeks. Fluorescent lamps with 50, 100 or 150 μmol m-2 s-1 photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) were used for hydroponic culture (EC 1.5 dS m-1, pH 5.8) of chive seedstocks for 7 weeks. Fresh weight and shoot length emerged from chive seedstocks grown under 150 μmol m-2 s-1 PPF were 76 and 24% increased compared to 50 μmol m-2 s-1 PPF, respectively. Number of shoots in chive was also greater in 150 μmol m-2 s-1 PPF, and significantly reduced under 100 μmol m-2 s-1 PPF. When EC was maintained at 1.5 or 2.0 dS m-1 for 56 days, increasing in leaf fresh and dry weight of Korean thistle were remarkable. Fresh and dry weights were 5.8 and 3.5 times greater in 1.5 or 2.0 dS m-1 EC than in 2.5 dS m-1 EC treatment, respectively. Number of unfolded leaves increased to 96% under 1.5 or 2.0 dS m-1 EC. The chive seedstock and Korean thistle were successfully cultured under the DFT system using fluorescent lamps. From the above results, it is suggested that shoot growth such as a fresh weight, dry weight, or shoot elongation could be significantly stimulated by the light intensity and EC tested in this experiment. The above results show production possibility of perennial plants besides leaf vegetables, and studies on change in nutrient elements inside the plants cultured under the system are necessary.