Growth of Tsuru-rindo (Tripterospermum japonicum) culturedin vitro under various sources of light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation

We studied the effects of light generated by LEDs on the growth of Tsururindo (Tripterospermum japonicum) shoots. Apical shoots (2–3 cm long) were cultured on MS basal media supplemented with 3% sucrose, and were maintained for four weeks under five different light qualities: F (fluorescent lamp), red LED (R), 70% red + 30% blue LED (R7B3), 50% red + 50% blue (R5B5), or blue LED (B). Rooting was promoted by red light (100%) but was inhibited by blue light. Plant growth, as defined by root number, fresh weight, and chlorophyll content, was generally healthier for cultures irradiated with mixed LEDs, and was the best under R7B3. Ventilation resulted in more rapid apical shoot growth and rooting compared with control plants, when both were treated with the R7B3 system. We demonstrated here that plant growth can be controlled by using LEDs to adjust for the most effective irradiation conditions, compared with the performance observed when conventional fluorescent lamps are utilized.