In vitro culture of Chrysanthemum plantlets using light-emitting diodes

Effects of illumination spectrum on the morphogenesis of chrysanthemum plantlets ( Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. ‘Ellen’) grown in vitro were studied using an illumination system consisting of four groups of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the following spectral regions: blue (450nm), red (640nm), red (660nm), and far-red (735nm). Taking into account all differences in shoot height, root length, and fresh and dry weight (FW and DW, respectively), observed while changing the total photon flux density (PFD), the optimal total PFD for growth of chrysanthemum plantlets in vitro was estimated. For 16 h photoperiod and typical fractions of the spectral components (14%, 50%, 28%, and 8%, respectively), the optimal total PFD was found to be 40 µmol m −2 s −1 . Our study shows that the blue component in the illumination spectrum inhibits the plantlet extension and formation of roots and simultaneously increases the DW to FW ratio and content of photosynthetic pigments. We demonstrate photomorphogenetic effects in the blue region and its interaction with the fractional PFD of the far-red spectral component. Under constant fractional PFD of the blue component, the root number, length of roots and stems, and fresh weight of the plantlets have a correlated nonmonotonous dependence on the fractional PFD of the far-red component.