Effects of light quality on growth and development, photosynthetic characteristics and content of carbohydrates in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants

In this study, effects of yellow (Y), purple (P), red (R), blue (B), green (G), and white (W) light on growth and development of tobacco plants were evaluated. We showed that monochromatic light reduced the growth, net photosynthetic rate (P (N)), stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2, and transpiration rate of tobacco. Such a reduction in P (N) occurred probably due to the stomatal limitation contrary to plants grown under W. Photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), maximal fluorescence of dark-adapted state, effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (I broken vertical bar(PSII)), and maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (F-v/F-m) of plants decreased under all monochromatic illuminations. The decline in I broken vertical bar PSII occurred mostly due to the reduction in qP. The increase in minimal fluorescence of dark-adapted state and the decrease in F-v/F-m indicated the damage or inactivation of the reaction center of PSII under monochromatic light. Plants under Y and G showed the maximal nonphotochemical quenching with minimum P (N) compared with the W plants. Morphogenesis of plants was also affected by light quality. Under B light, plants exhibited smaller angles between stem and petiole, and the whole plants showed a compact type, while the angles increased under Y, P, R, and G and the plants were of an unconsolidated style. The total soluble sugar content increased significantly under B. The reducing sugar content increased under B but decreased significantly under R and G compared with W. In conclusion, different monochromatic light quality inhibited plants growth by reducing the activity of photosynthetic apparatus in plants. R and B light were more effective to drive photosynthesis and promote the plant growth, while Y and G light showed an suppression effect on plants growth. LEDs could be used as optimal light resources for plant cultivation in a greenhouse.