Growth and photosynthetic characteristics of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) leaves grown under natural sunlight with supplemental LED lighting in a tropical greenhouse

Leaf growth and photosynthetic characteristics of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas var. Biru Putih) grown under different light quantities were studied in a tropical greenhouse. The stem cuttings of I. batataswith adventitious roots were grown hydroponically under (1) only natural sunlight (SL); (2) SL with supplemental LED at a PPFD of 150 μmol m(−2) s(–1) (SL + L-LED); and (3) SL with supplemental LED at a PPFD of 300 μmol m(−2) s(–1) (SL + H-LED). One week after emergence, all leaves had similar area and water content. However, leaf fresh weight and dry weight were significantly higher in plants grown under SL+L-LED and SL + H-LED than under SL due to their thicker leaves reflected by the lower specific leaf area. Plants grown under SL had significantly lower concentrations of total chlorophyll (Chl) and total carotenoids (Car) but higher Chl a/b ratio than under SL + L-LED and SL + H-LED. However, all plants had similar Chl/Car ratios. Although midday F(v)/F(m) ratio was the lowest in leaves grown under SL+ H-LED followed by SL + L-LED and SL, predawn F(v)/F(m) ratios of all leaves were higher than 0.8. Increasing growth irradiance with supplemental LED resulted in higher electron transport rate and photochemical quenching but lower non-photochemical quenching compared to those of plants grown under SL. Measured under their respective growth irradiance in the greenhouse, attached leaves grown under SL + L-LED and SL+H-LED had significantly higher photosynthetic CO(2) assimilation rate and stomatal conductance than under SL. However, measuring the detached leaves at 25 °C in the laboratory, there were no significant differences in PS II and Cyt b(6)f concentrations although light- and CO(2)-statured photosynthetic O(2) evolution rates were slightly higher in leaves grown under SL+ H-LED than under SL. Impacts of supplemental LED on leaf growth and photosynthetic characteristics were discussed.