Method for increasing quality and fruit yield of strawberry through blue light

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for improving the quality and yield of strawberries through supplemental blue light. Since the method of the present invention can increase the quality and yield of strawberries by determining the optimal timing for irradiating with blue LEDs after planting, it can be usefully utilized to increase the income of strawberry nurseries and strawberry farmers.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for improving the quality and yield of strawberries through blue light supplementation. Background Technology

[0002] strawberry( Fragaria × ananassa Strawberries are herbaceous perennial plants belonging to the Rosaceae family and are an economically important horticultural crop widely cultivated globally in countries such as China, the United States, Mexico, Egypt, Turkey, Spain, Russia, Poland, Korea, and Japan. Strawberries possess value for their low-calorie carbohydrates and high dietary fiber content. Furthermore, as a high-value crop containing a diverse range of nutrients including carotenoids, anthocyanins, phenols, flavonoids, Vitamin C, and ellagic acid (known as an anticancer substance), they contribute to improving consumer health. Additionally, as a representative cold-tolerant crop among greenhouse vegetables, they are a popular horticultural crop widely cultivated during the winter due to low heating costs and stable prices. While Korea's strawberry production stands at 196,122 tons, ranking 7th in the world, its export volume ranks 18th (FAOSTAT, 2013 Statistics DB). Gyeongsangnam-do accounts for over 95% of major strawberry exports, serving as a forward base for these exports. Among them, forcing culture strawberries were a high-income crop with an income of 10,334 thousand won per 10a in 2016 and an income rate of 51.1%.

[0003] Seedling cultivation is known to be of significant importance in fruit and vegetable crops. In particular, for strawberry cultivation, the quality of the seedlings is a critical factor that decisively influences the yield and quality of fruit after transplanting to the main field, to the extent that the success of seedling cultivation accounts for 80% of the total cultivation. Unlike other fruit and vegetable crops that propagate by seeds, strawberries are a unique crop that requires a considerable amount of time between producing runners and daughter plants from the mother plant through vegetative propagation and transplanting. Strawberry seedling cultivation requires a period of 5 to 6 months—unlike that of other fruit and vegetable crops—during the process from mid-March to early to mid-September, encompassing the development of runners and daughter plants, fixation of daughter plants, independence from the mother plant, and induction of flower bud differentiation. Due to the long duration of the cultivation period and the input of labor and capital, the production and supply of stable daughter plants with uniform quality account for a significant proportion, or 80%, of total strawberry cultivation.

[0004] These strawberries can be consumed raw or in salads and sandwiches, and can also be consumed as processed foods such as jam, jelly, ice cream, frozen strawberries, syrup, juice, and dairy products. In addition, they are gaining popularity as a wellness food containing a large amount of various beneficial components for the human body. However, they have the disadvantage of requiring unique cultivation methods that demand significant effort, cost, and time. Therefore, there is a need for various studies to systematize mother plant management and seedling cultivation techniques to improve the quality and yield of the fruit after planting.

[0005] Meanwhile, Korean registered patent No. 2071287 discloses a 'method for inducing early flowering of strawberries and improving fruit yield by controlling the timing of nutrient solution supply before planting,' and Korean registered patent No. 1754255 discloses a 'method for increasing the cysteine ​​content of peanut sprouts using LED irradiation,' but there is no description of a method for improving the quality and yield of strawberries through the blue light supplementation of the present invention. The problem to be solved

[0006] The present invention was derived from the above-mentioned requirements, and the inventor is the 'Geumsil' strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa During the cultivation process of Duch. cv. 'Kuemsill'), 140±5 μmol·m during the period from planting to harvest (187 days), from the flowering of the first flower cluster to harvest (133 days), or from the flowering of the second flower cluster to harvest (113 days) -2 ·S -1 The present invention was completed by confirming that, as a result of irradiating with blue LEDs (400~500 nm) of light intensity under a photoperiod condition of 2 hours before sunrise and 2 hours after sunset, the quality and yield of the fruit increased in the blue LED supplemental lighting group compared to the control group (no LED treatment), and in particular, during the period from the flowering of the first flower cluster to harvest, the number of medium and low-grade fruits decreased and the yield of special and high-grade fruits significantly increased in the experimental group treated with blue LED supplemental lighting. means of solving the problem

[0007] To solve the above problem, the present invention provides a method for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving fruit quality and yield, comprising the step of cultivating strawberries by supplementing with blue light after planting them in a natural light greenhouse.

[0008] In addition, the present invention provides a method for cultivating strawberries that prevents delayed flowering and improves quality and yield, comprising the step of cultivating strawberries by supplementing with blue light after planting them in a natural light greenhouse. Effects of the invention

[0009] The method of the present invention can increase the quality and yield of strawberries by determining the optimal timing for blue LED irradiation after planting, and thus can be usefully utilized to increase the income of strawberry nurseries and strawberry growers. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram (A) showing the structure in which blue LED supplemental lights are arranged in a strawberry cultivation greenhouse, and the results (B) of measuring the luminous intensity (PPFD) and wavelength of the blue LED supplemental lights. Figure 2 is a graph showing the change in average temperature (A) and relative humidity (B) during the day and night inside a strawberry cultivation greenhouse according to blue LED supplemental lighting. Figure 3 shows the results of measuring the average number of flower clusters (A) and the number of flowering inflorescences (B) for each strawberry plant to determine the degree of flowering delay according to the timing of blue LED supplemental lighting. CT: Control group (no LED treatment), PL: Blue LED supplemental lighting treatment from planting to harvest, FF: Blue LED supplemental lighting treatment from the flowering of the first flower cluster to harvest, SF: Blue LED supplemental lighting treatment from the flowering of the second flower cluster to harvest. Figure 4 is a graph showing the strawberry fruit yield (left vertical axis) and the number of fruits by grade classified by weight per harvested fruit according to the timing of blue LED supplemental lighting, as well as the profit rate according to fruit yield (right vertical axis). CT: Control group (no LED treatment), PL: Blue LED supplemental lighting treatment from planting to harvest, FF: Blue LED supplemental lighting treatment from the flowering of the first flower cluster to harvest, SF: Blue LED supplemental lighting treatment from the flowering of the second flower cluster to harvest, Premium: 25 g or more per fruit, High: 17 g or more and less than 25 g per fruit, Medium: 10 g or more and less than 17 g per fruit, Low: less than 10 g per fruit. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0011] To achieve the objective of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving fruit quality and yield, comprising the step of cultivating strawberries by supplementing with blue light after planting them in a natural light greenhouse.

[0012] In a method for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving fruit quality and yield according to one embodiment of the present invention, the blue light is 130 to 150 μmol·m⁻¹ -2 ·s -1 It may be irradiated with a light intensity of 135–145 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 It may be irradiated with a light intensity, but is not limited to this.

[0013] In a method for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving fruit quality and yield according to one embodiment of the present invention, the blue light may be irradiated using a blue LED (light emitting diode) having a wavelength of 400 to 500 nm, but is not limited thereto.

[0014] In a method for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving fruit quality and yield according to one embodiment of the present invention, the blue light may be irradiated daily for 1 to 3 hours before sunrise and 1 to 3 hours after sunset, and preferably may be irradiated daily for 2 hours before sunrise and 2 hours after sunset, but is not limited thereto.

[0015] By using the method of the present invention for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving fruit quality and yield, there is an effect of preventing delayed flowering compared to the control group (untreated with blue LED supplemental lighting), the group treated with blue LED supplemental lighting during the period from planting to fruit harvest, and the group treated with blue LED supplemental lighting during the period from the flowering of the second flower cluster to fruit harvest. When short-day plants such as strawberries are cultivated under long-day conditions, flowering tends to be delayed (Environ. Control Biol., 52(2), 63-71, 2014), but if blue light is irradiated for 1 to 3 hours before sunrise and 1 to 3 hours after sunset during the period from the flowering of the first flower cluster after strawberry planting to fruit harvest, as in the present invention, the delay in flowering can be prevented.

[0016] In a method for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving the quality and yield of the fruit according to one embodiment of the present invention, the supplemental blue light may be applied in a natural light greenhouse during the period from the flowering of the first flower cluster after planting strawberries until the fruit harvest, but is not particularly limited thereto.

[0017] In a method for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving fruit quality and yield according to one embodiment of the present invention, the strawberry is preferably of the 'Geumshil' variety ( Fragaria × ananassa It may be Duch. cv. 'Kuemsill'), but is not limited thereto. Since there are distinct differences in growth characteristics among strawberry varieties, the timing of irradiation with the appropriate light source and light quality during the seedling stage may vary depending on the variety.

[0018] In a method for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving the quality and yield of the fruit according to one embodiment of the present invention, the improvement in fruit quality may be an increase in the number of superior fruits weighing 17 g or more per fruit, and preferably an increase in the number of superior fruits weighing 17 g or more and less than 25 g per fruit, or special fruits weighing 25 g or more per fruit, but is not limited thereto.

[0019] The method according to the present invention for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving fruit quality and yield is specifically,

[0020] (1) Step of planting golden strawberries in a natural light greenhouse; and

[0021] (2) During the period from the first flower cluster blooming after planting of Geumshil strawberries until fruit harvest, a blue LED (light emitting diode) with a wavelength of 400–500 nm was used at 130–150 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 It may include a step of cultivating by irradiating at a light intensity for 1 to 3 hours before sunrise and 1 to 3 hours after sunset; and

[0022] More specifically,

[0023] (1) Step of planting golden strawberries in a natural light greenhouse; and

[0024] (2) During the period from the first flower cluster blooming after planting of the Geumshil strawberry until fruit harvest, a blue LED (light emitting diode) with a wavelength of 400–500 nm was used at 135–145 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 The step of cultivating by irradiating with light intensity for 2 hours before sunrise and 2 hours after sunset may be included, but is not limited thereto.

[0025] The present invention also provides a method for cultivating strawberries that prevents delayed flowering and improves quality and yield, comprising the step of cultivating strawberries by supplementing with blue light after planting them in a natural light greenhouse.

[0026] A method for cultivating strawberries according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein flowering delay is prevented and quality and yield are improved, specifically,

[0027] (1) Step of planting golden strawberries in a natural light greenhouse; and

[0028] (2) During the period from the first flower cluster blooming after planting of Geumshil strawberries until fruit harvest, a blue LED (light emitting diode) with a wavelength of 400–500 nm was used at 130–150 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 It may include a step of cultivating by irradiating at a light intensity for 1 to 3 hours before sunrise and 1 to 3 hours after sunset; and

[0029] More specifically,

[0030] (1) Step of planting golden strawberries in a natural light greenhouse; and

[0031] (2) During the period from the first flower cluster blooming after planting of the Geumshil strawberry until fruit harvest, a blue LED (light emitting diode) with a wavelength of 400–500 nm was used at 135–145 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 The step of cultivating by irradiating with light intensity for 2 hours before sunrise and 2 hours after sunset may be included, but is not limited thereto.

[0032] Strawberries grown by the cultivation method of the present invention are characterized by not having a delayed flowering time compared to the control group (no LED supplemental lighting treatment), the group treated with blue LED supplemental lighting during the period from planting to fruit harvest, and the group treated with blue LED supplemental lighting during the period from the flowering of the second flower cluster to fruit harvest, and are of excellent quality with a weight of more than 17 g per fruit.

[0034] The present invention will be explained in detail below through examples. However, the following examples are merely illustrative of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0036] Materials and Methods

[0037] 1. Experimental Materials and Cultivation Environment

[0038] The strawberry 'Geumsil' variety with 3-4 unfolded true leaves and a crown diameter of 9-10 mm ( Fragaria × ananassa Daughterlings of *Duch. cv. 'Kuemsill'* were transplanted into round pots (295×256×210 mm) filled with coir on September 15, 2023, and cultivated in a plastic greenhouse located at the Gyeongsang National University Agricultural Farm until March 20, 2024. The nutrient solution used was the prescription from the Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services (macronutrient: NO3 - 13.0, NH4 + 1.0, H2PO4 - 4.0, K + 6.0, Ca 2+ 8.0, Mg 2+ 4.0, SO4 2- 4.0 me·L -1; Trace elements: Fe 3.0, B 0.5, Mn 0.5, Zn 0.2, Cu 0.04, Mo 0.04 mg·L -1 Using ) EC 0.8 dS·m -1 Nutrient solution was supplied at a pH of 5.8. The nutrient solution was provided four times a day via drip irrigation, with 800 ml of solution supplied per week for 10 minutes per supply. The average daytime temperature inside the greenhouse was set to 22±5℃, the average nighttime temperature to 11±4℃, the average daytime relative humidity to 40±12%, and the average nighttime relative humidity to 64±12%.

[0040] 2. LED supplemental lighting treatment

[0041] Blue LED supplemental lights were placed 100 cm above the cultivation bed, and 20 LED supplemental lights (Blue UFO, D&W Co., Ltd., Korea) were arranged at intervals of 50 cm along a 10 m long cultivation bed (Figs. 1A and 1B). The luminous intensity of the supplemental lights, measured using a light wavelength measuring instrument at the crown of the strawberry, was 140 ± 5 μmol·m⁻¹. -2 ·s -1 (Fig. 1C), and the average daytime and nighttime temperatures and relative humidity in the greenhouse due to blue LED supplemental lighting treatment are as shown in Fig. 2.

[0042] Blue LEDs were irradiated during the period from planting to harvest (September 15, 2023 – March 20, 2024, 187 days), the period from the flowering of the first flower cluster to harvest (November 8, 2023 – March 20, 2024, 133 days), and the period from the flowering of the second flower cluster to harvest (November 28, 2023 – March 20, 2024, 113 days). The present invention was carried out in a natural light greenhouse, and blue LED supplemental lighting was applied only for 2 hours before sunrise and 2 hours after sunset while cultivating under natural light conditions.

[0044] 3. Analysis of Flowering Time, Fruit Quality, and Yield

[0045] To analyze the effect of LED supplemental lighting on preventing delayed flowering in strawberries, the number of flower clusters and flowering inflorescences were measured. Specifically, the number of plants with flower clusters appearing (number of flower clusters) and the number of plants that had completed flowering (number of flowering inflorescences) were recorded once a week. The number of flower clusters was measured by identifying unopened flower clusters that were 1 cm in size when observed visually, and the number of flowering inflorescences was measured when flowers with fully developed petals were identified.

[0046] In addition, to analyze the quality and yield of strawberry fruits, the fruit length, diameter, weight, firmness, soluble solids content (°Brix), and acidity were measured. Furthermore, according to the agricultural product standard specifications presented by the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service, fruits were classified into Premium grade if they weighed 25 g or more, High grade if they weighed 17 g or more but less than 25 g, Medium grade if they weighed 10 g or more but less than 17 g, and Low grade if they weighed less than 10 g; the income growth rate was calculated based on the fruit yield. Since the fruit yield by grade was measured through a complete enumeration survey, significance was not indicated in the results, as higher values ​​are considered to indicate a significant difference.

[0048] Example 1. Analysis of the effect of preventing flowering delay in strawberry 'Geumshil' according to the timing of blue LED supplemental lighting

[0049] After supplementing with blue LEDs for the period from planting to fruit harvest (PL), from the first flower cluster to fruit harvest (FF), and from the second flower cluster to fruit harvest (SF), the average number of flower clusters and the number of flowering inflorescences per plant were measured.

[0050] As a result, the number of flower clusters and flowering inflorescences in the experimental group (PL), which was treated with blue LED supplemental lighting from planting to harvest, remained almost constant for approximately 60 days out of the total LED treatment period (187 days), indicating the greatest delay in flowering (80–140 days in Fig. 3). On the other hand, the experimental group (FF), which was treated with blue LED supplemental lighting from the first flower cluster to harvest, showed the highest increase in the number of flower clusters and flowering inflorescences during the total LED treatment period (133 days) compared to the control group (CT) and the experimental groups treated with blue LED supplemental lighting at different times (PL, SF), confirming that the degree of flowering delay was the lowest (Fig. 3).

[0052] Example 2. Analysis of quality and yield of 'Geumshil' strawberries according to the timing of blue LED supplemental lighting

[0053] After applying supplemental lighting with blue LEDs during the period from planting to fruit harvest (PL), from the first flower cluster bloom to fruit harvest (FF), and from the second flower cluster bloom to fruit harvest (SF), the quality characteristics of the fruit, such as fruit length (furuit length), diameter (diameter), weight, firmness, sugar content (soluble solids content, °Brix), and acidity, were measured.

[0054] As a result, the quality characteristics of the fruit increased in the blue LED supplemental lighting treatment group compared to the control group (CT), and it was confirmed that the quality characteristics of the fruit were highest in the experimental group (FF) that was supplemented with blue LED from the flowering of the first flower cluster to harvest (Table 1).

[0055] Analysis of Strawberry Quality Characteristics According to Blue LED Irradiation Treatment Fruit length (mm) Fruit diameter (mm) Fruit weight (g) Fruit firmness (N / Φ5 mm) Soluble solids content(°Brix) Acidity (%) CT 37.15 28.91 14.22 4.43 12.02 b 0.76 b PL 39.20 31.18 15.18 4.26 12.18 ab 0.81 a FF 39.25 30.72 16.30 4.47 12.62 a 0.88 a SF 37.43 29.26 14.61 4.28 12.59 a 0.76 a

[0057] In addition, when measuring the yield of strawberry fruit, it was found that the yield increased in the blue LED supplemental lighting treatment group compared to the control group (CT), and in particular, the highest yield was confirmed in the experimental group (FF) that was supplemented with blue LED from the flowering of the first flower cluster to the harvest.

[0058] In addition, as a result of classifying the harvested fruits according to agricultural product standards, it was confirmed that in the experimental group (FF) treated with supplemental lighting of blue LED from the flowering of the first flower cluster to harvest, the number of low grade (less than 10 g per fruit) and medium grade (10 g or more and less than 17 g per fruit) fruits decreased, while the number of high grade (17 g or more and less than 25 g per fruit) and premium grade (25 g or more per fruit) fruits increased significantly, resulting in a 50% improvement in the yield (Fig. 4).

[0059] Based on the above results, it was found that if blue light is applied as supplemental lighting from the flowering of the first flower cluster to fruit harvest after planting strawberries in a natural light greenhouse, it is possible to prevent delayed flowering and increase the yield of high-quality fruit, thereby improving the income rate.

Claims

Claim 1 (1) Gold thread in a natural light greenhouse ( Fragaria × ananassa (2) a step of planting the Duch. cv. 'Kuemsill') strawberry; and during the period from the first flower cluster blooming after planting the Kuemsill strawberry until fruit harvest, a blue LED (light emitting diode) having a wavelength of 400–500 nm is used at 130–150 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 A method for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving fruit quality and yield, comprising the step of cultivating by irradiating with light intensity for 1 to 3 hours before sunrise and 1 to 3 hours after sunset. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 A method for preventing delayed flowering of strawberries and improving fruit quality and yield, wherein, in claim 1, the improvement in fruit quality is characterized by an increase in the number of superior and special grade fruits with a weight of 17 g or more per fruit. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 (1) Gold thread in a natural light greenhouse ( Fragaria × ananassa (2) a step of planting the Duch. cv. 'Kuemsill') strawberry; and during the period from the first flower cluster blooming after planting the Kuemsill strawberry until fruit harvest, a blue LED (light emitting diode) having a wavelength of 400–500 nm is used at 130–150 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 A method for cultivating strawberries with improved quality and yield, comprising the step of cultivating by irradiating with light intensity for 1 to 3 hours before sunrise and 1 to 3 hours after sunset. Claim 9 delete

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