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(A) Blue light treatment conditions for paprika fruit. (B) Cultivation bench setup. Paprika fruits were subjected to night blue-light radiation where fruit was divided into two parts: direct irradiated side (DR), and indirect irradiated side (IR). Each container contained two paprika plants, and the number of fruits was limited to two fruits per plant. LED = light-emitting diode. |
Kanagawa, Japan: A recent study, conducted by researchers at Meiji University, has revealed that nighttime blue-light radiation significantly enhances anthocyanin production in the purple paprika cultivar 'Tequila' by stimulating the expression of structural genes during fruit growth. These findings open new possibilities for precision lighting strategies in agriculture to optimize fruit pigmentation and nutritional quality.
Purple paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) is becoming an increasingly popular vegetable because of its unique purple fruit color and nutritional value. It is a potential economic vegetable that could broaden the market opportunity for vegetable producers; however, enhancing and maintaining its color is challenging. Its anthocyanins are purple, but changes in anthocyanin production can affect the color intensity of the fruit.
Environmental factors, such as light, affect anthocyanin accumulation during growth and development in plants. Light control in agricultural technology involves adjusting the light quality, daylength, and light wavelength, especially when limited sunshine duration and/or cloudy conditions are expected, and this has a profound impact on plant growth and pigment composition.
The research highlights the impact of specific light wavelengths on plant metabolic processes, particularly in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins, which are compounds responsible for the purple pigmentation and known for their antioxidant properties. By applying blue-light radiation during nighttime, researchers observed a marked increase in anthocyanin accumulation in the fruit.
Key Takeaways from the Study:
Anthocyanin Enhancement: Blue-light exposure during the night period significantly amplified anthocyanin production, improving the fruit's color intensity and potential health benefits.
Gene Activation: Structural genes associated with anthocyanin synthesis showed increased expression levels, driving enhanced pigmentation.
Implications for Agriculture: The findings suggest that controlled blue-light exposure could serve as a valuable tool for growers aiming to improve the visual appeal and nutritional quality of fruits like purple paprika.
This study provides a scientific basis for the application of tailored light treatments in agricultural systems, offering a sustainable approach to enhancing crop quality without the need for additional chemical inputs. By leveraging light as an environmental cue, producers can achieve more consistent and desirable fruit characteristics, potentially boosting market value and consumer appeal.
According to the author, "We are very interested in purple vegetables, because Meiji University's school color is purple. In our previous paper, we had reported on pigment changes in this purple paprika variety (Yamada et al., 2019, JASHS). In this paper, we considered that stabilizing purple color is very important for stable production, and demonstrated that researched technique can be applied in greenhouses."
Dr. Ikeda is a professor in the School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan. His research interests include the study of the response of horticultural crops to environment using such methods as environment control and control systems in nutriculture and water physiology.
The full article can be found on the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science website at: https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS05421-24
Established in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science is recognized around the world as one of the most respected and influential professional societies for horticultural scientists. ASHS is committed to promoting and encouraging national and international interest in scientific research and education in all branches of horticulture.
Comprised of thousands of members worldwide, ASHS represents a broad cross-section of the horticultural community-scientists, educators, students, landscape and turf managers, government, extension agents and industry professionals. ASHS members focus on practices and problems in horticulture: breeding, propagation, production and management, harvesting, handling and storage, processing, marketing and use of horticultural plants and products. To learn more, visit ashs.org.
