Yield, Quality, and Resources Use Efficiency of Wild Rocket Baby Leaves Grown under Different Controlled Environment Systems and Various Growing Seasons

Abstract

Wild rocket is a leafy vegetable with economic interest as a consequence of baby leaf ready-to-eat salads. The climate crisis is expected to influence wild rocket production, but these effects could be confronted with cultivation in greenhouses and plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs). Climate responses are related to growing seasons. Our objective was to test the impact of two growing seasons, winter and summer, on the growth and physiology of wild rocket baby leaves in different controlled environment systems (greenhouse and PFAL). The growth cycle was reduced by 27% in the PFAL compared to the greenhouse during winter. Summer yield was greater in the greenhouse, but leaf number and area were greater in the PFAL. The lowest water use efficiency was recorded in the greenhouse during summer. Energy use efficiency was lower in PFAL compared to the greenhouse. Land use efficiency was not affected by the growing system, but in PFALs it is able to increase it by growing in vertical layers. Relative chlorophyll content and total soluble solids were enhanced in the greenhouse. The photosynthetic efficiency evaluation showed considerable stress in summer-grown plants in the greenhouse, as shown by PIABS and φP0. In general, the production was similar in the PFAL regardless of seasons.