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2026 Vol.38, Issue 1 Preview Page

Research Article

Effect of LED Light Quality on Melon Seedlings Based on Growth and Photosynthetic Performances in a Closed-Type Production System
Yong Beom Kwon1†
,
Ju Hyeon Lim2†
,
Joo Hwan Lee1
,
Ah Young Shin1
,
Yu Jin Kang1
,
Jeong Eun Sim1
,
Junho Park3
,
In-Lee Choi4
,
Yongduk Kim5
,
Jidong Kim6
,
Ho-Min Kang1237*
1Graduate Student, Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
2Graduate Student, Department of Horticulture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
3Undergraduate Student, Department of Horticulture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
4Research Professor, Agricultural and Life Science Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
5Researcher, Cheorwon Plasma Research Institute, Cheorwon 24062, Korea
6Researcher, FutureGreen Co., Ltd., Yongin 17095, Korea
7Professor, Department of Horticulture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
*Corresponding Author
†These authors contributed equally to this work.
31 March 2026. pp. 21-35
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Abstract

Climate variability challenges conventional melon seedling production through unstable temperature and light conditions during critical nursery stages. Closed-type systems with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) enable precise environmental control; however, optimal spectral composition must be evaluated by integrating morphological quality and physiological performance. This study compared five LED spectra (Blue, Blue+Red, Red, Blue+Wide-Red+Far-Red, and White) on melon (Cucumis melo L. cv. ‘Haniwon’) seedlings grown for 28 days in a closed-type system under 300 µmol･m-2･s-1 PPFD, 16 h photoperiod, and 30/20°C day/night temperature. Growth, seedling quality indices, vegetation indices, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were evaluated. Red light induced excessive stem elongation, reduced compactness, and increased shoot-to-root ratios. This was accompanied by inefficient energy utilization characterized by elevated dissipation per reaction center, indicating unsuitability for commercial seedling production. In contrast, Blue and Blue+Red treatments improved structural quality by suppressing elongation and increasing stem diameter while maintaining balanced biomass allocation. White LED produced comparable morphological quality to blue-enriched spectra but demonstrated superior photosystem II functionality, as shown by the highest PRI and performance index on absorption basis (Pi_Abs). Principal component analysis separated seedling quality into two distinct dimensions: PC1 (67.7%) representing growth-related traits and PC2 (18.1%) representing photosynthetic capacity. Although White and blue-enriched treatments showed similar PC1 scores, White LED achieved markedly higher PC2 values, indicating enhanced physiological performance independent of morphological characteristics. These results indicate that optimal LED selection for closed-type melon seedling production should integrate morphological regulation with photosynthetic efficiency, with White LED offering the most balanced combination to support robust transplant establishment under variable climate conditions.

Keywords
Chlorophyll-fluorescence
Cucumis melo L
Light-emitting-diode
Seedling quality indices
Vegetation-indicies
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Information
  • Publisher :Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University
  • Publisher(Ko) :None
  • Journal Title :Journal of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences
  • Volume : 38
  • No :1
  • Pages :21-35
  • Received Date : 2025-11-26
  • Revised Date : 2025-12-08
  • Accepted Date : 2025-12-08
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.22698/jales.20260002
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