Effect of artificial light on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production
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Bello-Olivera, Benito [1] ; Mendoza-Pedroza, Sergio I [1] ; Bárcena-Gama, José R. [1] ; Escalante Estrada, José A. [1] ; Zambrano Velasco, María G. [1] ; Sosa-Montes, E [2]
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[1] Colegio de Postgraduados
Colegio de Postgraduados
México
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[2] Universidad Autónoma Chapingo
Universidad Autónoma Chapingo
México
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- Localización: Agro Productividad, ISSN-e 2594-0252, Vol. 15, Nº. 7, 2022 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Julio), págs. 145-150
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
Objective: To study the effects of different sources of artificial light on the growth of alfalfa plants (Medicago sativa L.).
Design/Methodology/Approach: The experiment was established on four shelves with a height of 2.50 m with three divisions each, each division 8060 cm long and wide, respectively. The sun’s rays were allowed to shine on three of the upper divisions, and in the remaining nine divisions three different sources of artificial light were placed (LED, incandescent and f luorescent), with three divisions for each light source at a density of four lamps per division. The energy expenditure per lamp, the intensity of photons, and the production of dry matter were quantified.
Results: The data indicated that the incandescent lamp had energy expenditure 8 times higher than the LED lamp and 3.5 times higher than the f luorescent, although the light intensity emitted is 3 and 2 times higher in the LED lamp vs. incandescent and f luorescent, respectively. The highest production of dry matter was found with sunlight, obtaining values of 391 g m2, and the lowest production of 17 g m2 was seen with the incandescent lamp.Study Limitations/Implications: It is necessary to continue conducting research work on fodder production with artificial light, to increase biomass yields.
Findings/Conclusions: With the data obtained, it is concluded that LED light can be a viable alternative in the future to produce food for animal consumption.
