Industrialized seeding production stands as a pivotal method for cultivating seedlings in a uniform and efficient manner, yet its progression is hindered by the extensive consumption of light energy. This study delves into the influence of varying LED light intensities, specifically 30 (L1), 60 (L2), 90 (L3), 120 (L4), 150 (L5), 180 (L6), and 210 (L7) µmol·m−2·s−1, on the phenotypic traits and health index of cucumber seedlings across different growth phases: cotyledon flattening (CF), one bud and one leaf (OBOL), and one bud and two leaves (OBTL). In each experimental group, ten out of sixteen plants were selected for parameter measurement, with a control group maintained at 150 µmol·m−2·s−1 throughout the study.
The findings revealed that during the CF stage, the L1 treatment led to the tallest plants, whereas the L7 treatment resulted in the largest stem diameter, highest biomass, and most extensive leaf area and circumference, with respective values of 2.61 mm, 3.3 g, 60.67 cm2, and 39.71 cm. At the OBOL stage, L1-treated plants were again the tallest, and L7 treatment produced the largest stem diameter, highest biomass, and greatest leaf area and circumference. During the OBTL stage, the L6 treatment yielded the highest plant height, stem diameter, leaf circumference, and biomass, with values of 68.37 mm, 3.09 mm, 51.54 cm, and 4.47 g, respectively, while L5 led to the largest leaf area of 63.91 cm2.
The seedling index across the three stages indicated an inflection point at the L4 light intensity level. The optimal light intensities for cucumber seedlings were determined to be 120 µmol·m−2·s−1 during the CF stage, 150 µmol·m−2·s−1 at the OBOL stage, and 120 µmol·m−2·s−1 during the OBTL stage.
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by Bin Li 1, Xinyu Wei 1, Huazhong Lu 2,*, Xi Chen 3, Xingxing Zhou 1, Fengxi Yang 4 andJunhong Zhao 1