Response of Common Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) to Photoperiod/Daily Light Integral in Vertical Hydroponic Production

Common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.) is a novel edible with succulent and savory flavor emerging as new crop for greenhouse factory growers. Currently very limited information available on the response of to photoperiod daily light integral (DLI). The objective this study was determine impact photoperiod/DLI growth indoor vertical production. Four-week old seedlings were transplanted into hydroponic systems given five treatments: 8/6.3, 12/9.5, 16/12.7, 20/15.8, 24/19.0 h/mol·m−2·d−1. Sequential destructive harvests occurred 14, 21, 28 days after lighting treatments began. Plants performed better increasing from 8 h/6.3 mol·m−2·d−1 20 h/15.8 mol·m−2·d−1. By day 28, shoot fresh weight increased 160 g 639 continuous treatment, 24 h/19 mol·m−2·d−1, showed negative effect (FW) dry (DW). Light treatment did not have obvious effects shoot:root ratio macronutrient uptake except that potassium (K) decreased slightly photoperiod/DLI. receiving higher same number leaves (indicating development stage) but had smaller, thicker, darker green compared lower treatments. Leaf water content affected by up at Further research needed separate physiological increasing/continuous DLI.