Artificial Lighting Photoperiod Manipulation Approach to Improve Productivity and Energy Use Efficacies of Plant Factory Cultivated Stevia rebaudiana

Stevia rebaudiana cultivated in non-native tropical conditions tends to flower early, halting vegetative growth, resulting lower biomass and yields of its valued steviol glycoside metabolites. While indoor cultivation allows manipulation artificial lighting mimic optimal conditions, it introduces an additional energy cost. The study objectives were assess photoperiod as a strategy increase overall metabolite well improve the efficacy electrical used for environmental conditions. was grown under with red, green, blue wavelengths photoperiods 8 h, 12 16 intermittent light amounting 16/24 each constant Daily Light Integral (DLI) 7.2 mol m−2 day−1. Yield measured leaf dry weight combination Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LCMS) analysis Stevioside Rebaudioside A content. photon flux density natural by spectroradiometer, use data collected three-phase power quality logger, compared treatment tested that from plants irradiation greenhouse. determine efficacies systems tested. continuous 16-h (16H) had highest productivity, accumulation concentrations. per plant 975% higher than those obtained daylight day-neutral photoperiod. Overall conversion also 16H at 65.10 g kWh−1 accumulation, 12.40 7.5 mg mol−1 conversion. These findings support application viable approach productivity environments red supplemented green spectrum best option.