Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Graduate Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 2019 Quantifying the effects of light quantity and quality on culinary herb physiology Alexander Gaston Litvin-Zabal Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd Part of the Agriculture Commons, and the Horticulture Commons Recommended Citation Litvin-Zabal, Alexander Gaston, "Quantifying the effects of light quantity and quality on culinary herb physiology" (2019). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 17042. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/17042 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Quantifying the effects of light quantity and quality on culinary herb physiology by Alexander Gaston Litvin-Zabal A dissertation submitted to the graduate faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major: Horticulture Program of Study Committee: Christopher J. Currey, Major Professor William R. Graves Ajay Nair Roberto G. Lopez Lester A. Wilson The student author, whose presentation of the scholarship herein was approved by the program of study committee, is solely responsible for the content of this dissertation. The Graduate College will ensure this dissertation is globally accessible and will not permit alterations after a degree is conferred. Iowa State University Ames, Iowa 2019 Copyright © Alexander Gaston Litvin-Zabal, 2019. All rights reserved. ii DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my family, from whom my long academic endeavors have separated us by time and space. To my father, Dr. Miguel E. Litvin, who pushed me to go farther, and inspired the technological aspects of my work. To my mother, Anamaria Zabal Litvin, who bestowed upon me my penchants for agricultural science. To my brothers, Arturo and Gustavo Litvin, who kept me grounded, and inspired me every day with their own amazing accomplishments. To my aunt Maria Elena Zabal, who provided me support and perspective from her own work in academia. Additionally, I dedicate this to my love, Krisa Ann Lewis, who stood by me for reasons unknown, while I worked through the hardest of days. Finally, to Shelby Litvin, who has known no life other than my academic days, and who celebrated the end of each day of work with play. Each one of you imbued me with your love, and from it, the strength to grow, thrive, and blossom as a plant… scientist. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................................................. v ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 2: INCREASING DAILY LIGHT INTEGRALS ENHANCES GROWTH OF EIGHT CULINARY HERBS GROWN HYDROPONICALLY ............ 24 Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 24 Materials and methods ................................................................................................. 26 Plant materials and culture ..................................................................................... 26 Daily light integral treatments ................................................................................ 28 Data collection and calculation .............................................................................. 29 Experimental design and statistical analyses.......................................................... 29 Results ......................................................................................................................... 30 Discussion .................................................................................................................... 31 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 35 References ................................................................................................................... 35 CHAPTER 3: EFFECTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL LIGHT SOURCE ON BASIL, DILL, AND PARSLEY GROWTH, MORPHOLOGY, AROMA, AND FLAVOR ....... 42 Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 42 Materials and methods ................................................................................................. 47 Plant materials and propagation ............................................................................. 47 Hydroponic culture and greenhouse environment.................................................. 47 Supplemental lighting treatments ........................................................................... 49 Plant growth data collection and calculation .......................................................... 49 Aroma and flavor analyses ..................................................................................... 51 Experimental design and statistical analyses.......................................................... 52 Results ......................................................................................................................... 52 Basil ........................................................................................................................ 52 Dill .......................................................................................................................... 54 Parsley .................................................................................................................... 54 Discussion .................................................................................................................... 55 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 61 References ................................................................................................................... 61 CHAPTER 4: BLUE LIGHT FRACTION EFFECTS GROWTH, MORPHOLOGY, BIOMASS PARTITIONING, METABOLISM, AND FLAVONOID ACCUMULATION OF BASIL ....................................................................................... 79 Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 79 Materials and methods ................................................................................................. 83 Plant materials and culture ..................................................................................... 83 iv Hydroponic culture and controlled environment conditions .................................. 84 Sole-source lighting treatments .............................................................................. 85 Plant growth data collection and calculation .......................................................... 85 Chlorophyll content and phenolic concentration analysis ...................................... 87 Data calculated ....................................................................................................... 88 Experimental design and statistical analyses.......................................................... 89 Results ......................................................................................................................... 89 Morphological effects............................................................................................. 89 Gas exchange .......................................................................................................... 90 Nutrient analysis and flavonoids ............................................................................ 91 Discussion .................................................................................................................... 93 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 100 References ................................................................................................................. 101 CHAPTER 5: GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.................................................................. 120 Chapter 2: Modeling of culinary herbs to daily light integral ................................... 120 Chapter 3: Supplemental light source spectra ........................................................... 121 Chapter 4: Blue light fraction effect on basil plant functions .................................... 122 Future suggestions ..................................................................................................... 124 References ................................................................................................................. 125 v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Christopher J. Currey, for the years of service and contribution to this dissertation, and that of my committee members Drs. William R. Graves, Ajay Nair, Roberto G. Lopez, and Lester A. Wilson whom have generously offered their help during the course of my studies. Furthermore, all great research is done in collaboration of the help