Growth Mechanism of Matricaria chamomilla Plant Under Space Lighting System: Induction of Pigment Synthesis, Enzyme Defense System, and Antioxidant Metabolites

Abstract

Light is a vital factor for plant cultivation in space. In this research, the impact of light spectrums was studied on the growth mechanisms through chlorophyll pigments, enzyme defense system, and antioxidant metabolite analyses. Seeds were cultivated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium and exposed to different light spectrums of white, red, blue, and red-blue. Results showed that red-blue lights induced the fresh and dry weight, root length, adventitious roots, relative water content, chlorophyll content, protein, flavonoids, and antioxidant enzymes of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Moreover, the highest amount of hydrogen peroxide was observed in seedlings treated with red light. It seems that red-blue light is a suitable lighting spectrum for M. chamomilla cultivation in the closed life support system.