GAZETTE FUTURE, Vol. 8 No. 4, 2025.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.32779/gf.8.4.2
Influence of artificial light on tomato seedling development in the protected environment
Zvezda Bogevska
; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food - Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.
*
Aleksandar Simonovski
; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food - Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.
Gordana Popsimonova
; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food - Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.
Rukie Agić
; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food - Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.
Margarita Davitkovska
; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food - Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.
Boris Dorbić
; University of Split, Agromediterranean faculty, Republic od Croatia.
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Seedling quality is a critical determinant of overall crop productivity, as it directly influences subsequent plant growth and yield. Various factors affect seedling quality, among which light plays a crucial role due to its significant impact on photosynthesis and biomass accumulation. An experiment was conducted in a closed, protected facility (basement) in an individual producer in Ilinden, Skopje, to evaluate the impact of different light sources on the quality of tomato seedlings (morphological characteristics, cv. Marglobe). Three treatments were applied: natural daylight in a closed environment, LED light (80W), and infrared light (250W). Seedlings were grown from seeds in pots over two months in an uncontrolled environment (no additional heating or humidity), with each treatment including 90 seedlins in three replications (30 seedlings per replication). Fifty days after sowing, the seedlings were removed from the substrate, washed, and allowed to dry on standard filter paper for 30 minutes. Several
parameters were measured destructively: total seedling weight (g), seedling height (mm), stem thickness (mm), root length (mm), root weight (g), number of leaves, and leaf weight (g). Data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and tested with a t-test at 1% and 5% probability levels. Results revealed highly significant differences in all parameters for seedlings grown under LED light, indicating its superior effect on seedling quality assessed through morphological indicators. Although the current protected environment posed some challenges, the findings highlight the potential of controlledenvironment cultivation and underscore the need for further research and modification on environmental conditions and experiment design.
Keywords
Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., infrared light, LED light, plantlets, morphological characteristics.
Hrčak ID:
350236
URI
Publication date:
30.12.2025.
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