Comparing Photosynthesis, Growth, and Yield of Paprika (Capsicum annuum L. ‘Cupra’) under Supplemental Sulfur Plasma and High-Pressure Sodium Lamps in Growth Chambers and Greenhouses

Abstract

Supplemental lighting with artificial light sources is a practical method that enables normal growth and enhances the yield and quality of fruit vegetable in greenhouses. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sulfur plasma lamp (SP) and high-pressure sodium lamp (HPS) as supplemental lighting sources on the growth and yield of paprika. For investigating the effectiveness of SP and HPS lamps on paprika, the effects of primary lighting on plant growth were compared in growth chambers and those of supplemental lighting were also compared in greenhouses. In the growth chamber, plant height, leaf area, stem diameter, number of leaves, fresh weight, and dry weight were measured weekly at SP and HPS from 2 weeks after transplanting. In the greenhouse, no supplemental lighting (only sunlight) was considered as the control. The supplemental lights were turned on when outside radiation became below 100 W·m from 07:00 to 21:00. From 3 weeks after supplemental lighting, the growth was measured weekly, while the number and weight of paprika fruits measured every two weeks. In the growth chamber, the growth of paprika at SP was better than at HPS due to the higher photosynthetic rate. In the greenhouse, the yield was higher under sunlight with either HPS or SP than sunlight only (control). No significant differences were observed in plant height, number of node, leaf length, and fresh and dry weights between SP and HPS. However, at harvest, the number of fruits rather than the weight of fruits were higher at SP due to the enhancement of fruiting numbers and photosynthesis. SP showed a light spectrum similar to sunlight, but higher PAR and photon flux sum of red and far-red wavelengths than HPS, which increased the photosynthesis and yield of paprika. Additional key words : greenhouse, growth chamber, light spectrum, sunlight, supplemental lighting