Growth and Essential Oil Content of Perilla, Rocket and Coriander Plants Grown under Different Light Quality Environments

Abstract

The effects of light quality on biomass and essential oil concentration of perilla, rocket and coriander were examined. The plants were grown hydroponically in an environmentally controlled room with a 16-h photoperiod and at a temperature of 23 ± 1 oC and a photosynthetic photon flux density of 200 μmol m-2 s-1 under four light quality treatments, which were red light (R) from light-emitting diodes (LEDs), blue light (B) from blue LEDs, a mixture of R and B (RB), or white light from white fluorescent lamps (FL). The biomass production of perilla tended to be higher when grown under FL than under other light quality treatments. Perillaldehyde content in the leaves of plants grown under B was 1.8 times higher than under R. The biomass production of rocket grown under FL was highest of all the light treatments. Irradiation with B increased anethole concentration compared to R. The biomass production and (E)-2-decenal and (E)-2-dodecenal concentrations were highest in coriander grown under R. Our data show that controlling light quality is useful for increasing biomass productivity and essential oil productivity of fresh herbs, although the most effective light quality treatment depends on the species. The results suggested it may soon be possible to produce herbs matched with their purpose, such as cooking materials, raw materials for fragrances, and medicinal materials in an enclosed artificially lit plant factory.