PhD. candidate in plant science
Exploring the Efficacy of LED Light Spectra in Repressing Fungal Pathogens in Tomato and Strawberry Greenhouse Crops
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Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), the world's second most cultivated vegetable, and strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) are crucial to Canada's agricultural economy but are threatened by pests and diseases. LED lighting technologies emerge as promising solutions to these challenges, potentially safeguarding yields in greenhouse environments.
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This study integrates plant biology, photobiology, and agricultural sciences to investigate the use of LED light spectra in enhancing the resilience of tomatoes and strawberries against fungal pathogens such as Oidium neolycopersici, Podosphaera aphanis, and Botrytis cinerea. By conducting meticulously designed experiments, the research aims to assess the impact of specific LED light ratios on fungal growth and pathogenicity, thereby establishing sustainable disease management strategies. The objectives include evaluating the direct effects of LED light on fungal development stages, optimizing disease management with LED treatments, and exploring the plants' metabolic and physiological responses to light exposure. This holistic approach seeks to transform greenhouse agriculture by offering a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides, ultimately enhancing crop resilience and productivity.
CABI Compendium (2022). Podosphaera aphanis (powdery mildew of strawberry). https://doi.org/10.1079/cabicompendium.42645
Khalil, S., Alsanius, B., & Naznin, M. T. (2023). Dark interruption with red or blue led light to reduce the incidence of pathogen attack and enhance product quality of organically grown strawberries. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4389428
Meng, L., Van Labeke, M.-C., and Höfte, M. (2020). Timing of light quality affects susceptibility to Botrytis cinerea in strawberry leaves. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol., Vol 211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.111988
Sun, G., Feng, C., Guo, J., Zhang, A., Xu, Y., Wang, Y., … & Ma, Q. (2019). The tomato arp2/3 complex is required for resistance to the powdery mildew fungus oidium neolycopersici. Plant, Cell &Amp; Environment, 42(9), 2664-2680. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13569
Xu, H., Fu, Y., Li, T., & Wang, R. (2017). Effects of different led light wavelengths on the resistance of tomato against botrytis cinerea and the corresponding physiological mechanisms. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 16(1), 106-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2095-3119(16)61435-1