THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY

SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Introduction

With all the calamities mankind faces every year, we are greatly burdened by the

hindrances these catastrophes bring, including food shortages and inflation rates. Land

masses that are converted into subdivisions because of urbanization also result to this

devastation. Not only do these affect our agricultural state as a country, these also

obstruct our economy.

Ruban (2009) stated that it has been our fundamental knowledge about plants that

through the photosynthetic process, they create their own food. Apparently, plants also

need several considerations to generate food for their life condition, productivity and

survival. Their photosynthetic efficiency depends upon numbers of limiting factors which

originate from their environment, namely water, different mineral nutrients, oxygen, right

temperature, soil content and light.

In the year 2004, pioneers from the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO)

like Yosepha Shahak, Susan Lurie and Eugene Gussakovsky have manipulated light for

agricultural purposes; they wanted to optimize the plant’s outcome so they focused on

manipulating the quantity of light which the plants received.

Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights are widely available all over the world. For

this reason, researches have been conducted to profoundly understand how light in

different parts of spectrum affects the growth of plant using artificial grow lights,

frequently LED lights to have an explicit retort on what supportively changes quality and

condition of the plant, and condition of the plant, and on what plant it does effectually

influence plant growth and productivity. Due to the low heat output of LEDs, growers

can now increase light intensity by closing the distance between lights and plants. The

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

design and size of emerging LEDs has improved their versatility from large broadband

lights, such as metal halide (MH) or high pressure sodium (HPS) lights, said Brian

Chiang and Josh Puckett (2010).

According to Liz Baessler (2018), the effect of blue light on plants is directly

related to chlorophyll production. Plants that receive plenty of blue light will have strong,

healthy stems and leaves. She also stated that red light is responsible for making plants

flower and produce fruit. It’s also essential to a plant’s early life for seed germination,

root growth, and bulb development.

Indoor farming has a particular popularity in large cities where plots of land, in

any size, are not readily available for growing and farming. It is being used to help

bolster local food supplies and provide fresh produce to communities in large cities.

Solanum lycopersicum or Tomato, is a species belonging to the Solanaceae family that

originated in Central and South America and now grown worldwide for its edible fruits.

It is a generally easy plant to grow. As stated by seedsavers.org (2018), ripening of the

fruits of tomato plants take only up to 7-8 weeks.

This is why the researchers proposed an alternative light source through the use of

red and blue LED lights in growing of Solanum lycopersicum.

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Statement of the Problem

This study focused on determining the effectiveness of blue and red LED lights as a

primary source of light in the growth of Solanum lycopersicum by answering these

specific questions:

1. How may LED lights be described in terms of its:

a. Light intensity

b. Specification of the light

b.1 Voltage of power supply

b.2 Power consumption

2. How may the effectiveness of LED lights on the growth of the Solanum

lycopersicum be described in terms of:

a. plant height

b. number of yield

3. Is there a significant difference between the effectiveness of the dominant red and

dominant blue; dominant red and equal red and blue; dominant red and sunlight;

dominant red and with no sunlight in the growth of Solanum lycopersicum in

terms of:

a. plant height

b. number of yield

4. Is there a significant difference between the effectiveness of the dominant blue

LED lights and equal red and blue; dominant blue and sunlight; dominant blue

and with no sunlight in the growth of Solanum lycopersicum in terms of:

a. plant height

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

b. number of yield

5. Is there a significant difference between the effectiveness of equal red and blue

LED lights and sunlight; equal red and blue and with no sunlight in the growth of

Solanum lycopersicum in terms of:

a. plant height

b. number of yield

6. Is there a significant difference between the effectiveness of sunlight and with no

sunlight in the growth of Solanum lycopersicum in terms of:

a. plant height

b. number of yield

Hypothesis

1. There is no significant difference between the effectiveness of the dominant red

and dominant blue; dominant red and equal red and blue; dominant red and

sunlight; dominant red and with no sunlight in the growth of Solanum

lycopersicum in terms of:

a. plant height

b. number of yield

2. There is no significant difference between the effectiveness of the dominant blue

LED lights and equal red and blue; dominant blue and sunlight; dominant blue

and with no sunlight in the growth of Solanum lycopersicum in terms of:

a. plant height

b. number of yield

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

3. There is no significant difference between the effectiveness of equal red and blue

LED lights and sunlight; equal red and blue and with no sunlight in the growth of

Solanum lycopersicum in terms of:

a. plant height

b. number of yield

4. There is no significant difference between the effectiveness of sunlight and with

no sunlight in the growth of Solanum lycopersicum in terms of:

a. plant height

b. number of yield

Significance of the Study

This study entitled The Effect of Red and Blue LED Lights on the Growth of

Solanum lycopersicum as a Primary Source of Light aims to determine the effect of Red

and Blue LED lights on the growth of Solanum lycopersicum. It will be beneficial to the

following:

The various communities. They would be able to raise awareness about the light

color-plant growth relationship and the LED lights as supplemental or role source

lighting system for crop production and solid-state light sources ideal for use in plant

lighting designs.

The different agricultural institutions. It serves as a basis in generating

advanced LED technology in crop growing particularly in tomato plant if proved

beneficial in the research.

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

The gardeners and farmers. It serves as a guide on how tomato plants in indoor

farming can be grown in utmost effective way with the aid of LED lights as a primary

source of light.

The researchers. It serves as additional knowledge and new learning that can

help enhance everyday lives.

The future researchers. it provides related literature to support their arguments

and hence improved knowledge. And in turn, it will generate enriched available

information on the effect of Red and Blue LED lights on different crop species.

Definition of Terms

Light Emitting Diode (LED). a semiconductor device that emits visible light

when an electric current pass through it. The light is not particularly bright, but in most

LED lights it is monochromatic, occurring at a single wavelength. The output from an

LED can range from red (at a wavelength of approximately 700 nanometers) to blue-

violet (about 400 nanometers). Some LEDs emit infrared (IR) energy (830 nanometers or

longer) (Rouse, 2005). -an artificial light that will be used as source for the flowering and

fruit production stage of tomato plant

Light Intensity. the strength or amount of light produced by a specific light

source; it is the measure of the wavelength-weighted power emitted by a light source

associated with a specific color of light (MaximumYield, 2012). -one of the main factors

which quantifies the spectrum mixes of LED lights that will be observed on this study.

Solanum lycopersicum. commonly known as a tomato plant. The plant belongs

to the nightshade family, Solanaceae (Reding, 2017). -plant which is basically the

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

dependent variable in which its response to different manipulated factors will be observed

and analysed.

Scope and Limitation of the study

This study was observed for four months. It was conducted from the first week of

October 2018 to the last week of January 2019 at Idago’s residence in Emilio Vergara

Highway.

The testing of Red and Blue LED lights as a primary source of light of tomato

plant involved three (3) different combination ratios of Red and Blue LED light

including: (Treatment 1) 3 Red: 1 Blue ; (Treatment 2 ) 1 Red: 3 Blue ; (Treatment 3) 2

Red: 2 Blue. As a positive control, another set of tomato plant was observed under the

natural sunlight as its primary source of light (Treatment 4). For the negative control,

another set of tomato plant was observed in a room with no sunlight (Treatment 5).

The effect of Red and Blue LED lights was observed and tested in terms of two

parameters namely, plant height, and number of yield generated from each of the five

treatments. Any other growth stages and types will be out of the scope.

In order to acquire the applicable data, three treatments with controlled number

and variety of tomato plant, soil type, amount of water, environment, photoperiod or light

duration and procedure of growing which is the indoor farming, with the only difference

of the light source was administered in the study.

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Review of Related Literature

Height, number of leaves and organogenesis stages (according to methodology of

Kuperman (Kuperman et al., 1982)) of tomato plants were determined during eight

weeks, one time per week. Photosynthetic pigments content per one gram of green

foliage weight was measured in 100 % acetone extract according to Wettstein method

(Wettstein, 1957) using Genesys 6 spectrophotometer (ThermoSpectronic, USA).

Measurements were performed in three replicates after transplantation and after two, four

and eight weeks in greenhouse. The first leaf above first inflorescence was taken for

measurement of photosynthetic pigments. Ripe fruits were harvested three times per

week. The results were analysed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Standard

deviations were determined by MS Excel and were denoted as error bars in all column-

based figures. Results. SON-T Agro lamps delayed the development of tomato

transplants. Transplants were the shortest, formed the least number of leaves . Some

plants were only in organogenesis stages V, i. e. plants still were at flower formation

stage (Полумордвинова, 1976) . Comparing to tomato transplants, grown under different

high-power solid-state lighting treatments, it was determined that the main LEDs

combination with supplemental orange (662 nm) light decreased the number of leaves

formed and the height of plants. Tomato transplants, grown under the main LEDs

combined with supplemental 520 nm light (L3) were slightly higher and have formed one

leaf more than above-mentioned plants.

Tomato transplants, grown under the main LEDs illumination without

supplemental LEDs (L1) and under combination with supplemental 380 nm (L2) and 595

nm (L4) lights were higher than above mentioned plants, but no significant differences

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

neither in height nor in number of leaves was determined between them . These

transplants were at organogenesis stages VII–VIII, i. e. gametogenesis and bud formation

occurred (Habito, 1976). However, the main LEDs treatment with supplemental 380 nm

light stimulated the height of apexes of tomato transplants.

Early yield of tomato differed insignificantly. However, the yields of tomatoes,

which transplants were grown under the main LEDs treatment and under combination

with supplemental 380 nm light (L2), was slightly greater and more fruits were formed.

Using SON-T Agro lamps, and yellow and orange LED light, supplemental for the main

in LEDs treatment for tomato transplant illumination, the lower early yield and fruit

number at that moment was determined. Total yield significantly decreased using

supplemental 595 nm (L4) LEDs in the main LEDs treatment for transplant illumination.

Okahama (1996) stated that LED lights as an artificial light source for plants

grown through indoor vertical farming requires a specific light intensity in order to

sustain the growth development of the plants. The qualitative performance of the light

source is essential for the growing of tomatoes from the initial growth until flower

production.

Light intensity is the total amount of light that plants receive. It is the degree of

brightness that a plant is exposed to. Measuring light intensity is an absolute requirement,

particularly to indoor vertical farming method, for plant growth and development.

Tomato plants have optimum requirements and both deficient and excessive light

intensities can influence them. Deficient and excessive light intensities tend to reduce

plant growth, development and yield because of certain reasons.

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Light intensity can be measured via an instrument called quantum meter, which

provides the data on the degree of brightness emitted by three different spectral mixes of

red and blue LED light as light source for tomatoes grown indoor. Measuring the light

intensity of the treatments was carried out, with the purpose of relating the qualitative

performance of LED lights on the obtained blossom count during the flowering phase of

the tomatoes.

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Methodology

This chapter focuses on the processes involving the research. This part deals with

how the researcher will gather data and process it to make or formulate conclusions and

recommendations.

Research Method/Type of Research

This study is a Quantitative Research that aims to determine the effects of red and

blue LED lights as the primary source of light in the growth of Solanum lycopersicum.

Thus, this study focuses on the correlation or possible cause and effect relationships of

two or more experimental groups in a series of treatments or conditions.

Research Paradigm

This section shows the research paradigm that will be used in this study. The

processes stated in here will be used to accomplish the objectives of this study.

Input Process Evaluation Output

Different Solanum Analysis to Best ratio of

combination of Lycopersicum determine the LED light
ratio of LED will be grown best ratio of combination
lights using different LED light for growing
ratio of LED combination Solanum
light Lycopersicum
combinations
Figure 1. Research Paradigm of the Study.

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

The study aims to identify the effectiveness of blue and red led lights as the primary

source of light of Solanum lycopersicum. To accomplish this objective the research will

execute the following processes showed in Figure 1.

The first process of the study is to combine red and blue LED lights with different

ratios. Then, the researchers will expose the Solanum lycopersicum using different ratio

of LED light combination. The third process is to analyze which is the most suitable

combination ratio of LED light for the growth of tomato plant. Once finished, the best

combination ratio of LED lights may be recommended for the farmers or for further

researches.

General Procedure

This part of the methodology presents how the researchers will gather the data. It consists

of series of procedures.

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Figure 2. Flow diagram of the study

The general procedure of the study will begin on the collection and preparation of

materials needed. Once the materials are done, designing and fabrication of the indoor

farms will take place which includes the assembling of LED lights. After the fabrication

of the lights, seedlings will be transferred on to the pots and the indoor farming will

begin. Researchers will observe the tomato plants for four months. After four months, the

data will be collected and the physical analyzation will take place.

Materials and Equipment

In conducting the study the following materials will be needed:

1. Super Bright Red LED bulbs (24 pieces)

2. Super Bright Blue LED bulbs (24 pieces)

3. Glue Stick (8 pieces)

4. Glue Gun (1 piece)

5. Duct Tape (1 piece)

6. Scissors (1 pair)

7. Electric Wire (15 meters)

8. Electric Tape (3 pieces)

9. Electric Diode (36 pieces)

10. Resistor (36 pieces)

11. Ac Plug (9 pieces)

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

12. Plant Pot (12 pieces)

13. Beaker (1 piece)

14. Pail (1 piece)

15. Extension (1 piece)

16. Tomato Seedlings (15 pieces)

17. Electric Fan (1 piece)

Collection and Preparation of Material

The materials needed in conducting the study were the indoor farm setup, LED

lights setup, and the tomato plants. These were the major requirements in testing and

determining the effects of different combination ratios of red and blue-colored LED lights

in the production stage of tomato plants in indoor farming.

Different materials including card boards, plant pots, and wood sticks were

gathered from each member having the available resources and bought from hardware

stores. These were used in creating the researchers’ own-designed indoor farm, which

was carried out during the weekends – that is the time wherein the researchers have

enough time to build the indoor farm setup.

Different colored Super Bright LED lights including red and blue were also

bought from hardware stores. In addition to this, illustration board were also collected,

which were used as enclosing structure of the LED lights. With the help of an electrician,

the LED lights setup were established.

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Tomato seedlings, another major proponent of the study was gathered by the

researchers. These tomato seedlings were bought from Precy T. Rigor Agri and Poultry

Supply.

Design and Fabrication of Indoor Farm

After conceptualizing and designing, materials that were procured were used in

the assembly of the indoor farm.

The indoor farm frame was constructed using the cardboards and sticks of wood.

The indoor farm frame is divided into three sections – three sections where divided two

(2) one whole recycled cardboard. Each treatment is composed of three (3) replicates.

The three treatments were placed 3 feet above the ground and also divided into three

parts using the recycled cardboards, each part measuring 1.67 feet. Each section was

divided in order to ensure a place for the replicates for the three treatments. A positive

control consisting of natural sunlight coming from the window of an enclosed room.

Aside from the positive control, the researchers also used a negative control which plants

were placed in a completely dark room.

Upon constructing the indoor farm, the LED lights were assembled. First, 9

plastic water bottles were collected and cut their upper parts. These will serve as the

enclosing structure of each LED light setup. Nine circles with a diameter of 5 inches were

cut from illustration board. The LED light bulbs were put on the circles in a spiral

arrangement, applying the series setup of the electrical wirings. Each circle consisted of

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

16 LED light bulbs with various spectral mixes of red and blue LED lights. The circles

were then inserted to each of the plastic water bottles. Electric diodes, resistors, scissor

and electrical tape were used in constructing the LED light setups. Three LED lights were

constructed for each treatment having spectral mix of red and blue LED lights in varying

ratios: (1) 3red:1blue; (2) 1red:3blue; and (3) 2red:2blue.

The three LED lights were fixed on the indoor farm frame using glue gun and

glue stick. Each LED light were placed in the middle of each. Each were connected in the

AVR by creating 3 electric wires with AC plugs that were plugged in an extension.

Groundwork of the Indoor Farm Setups (Test Material)

Upon finishing the indoor farm frame and the LED lights set-up, the researchers

have prepared the three experimental setups and the replicates for the study. Each of the

treatment was placed in the same indoor farm frame. The researchers then measured the

light intensity of each light setup using a quantum meter. Measuring light intensity was

useful in accurately analyzing the difference in the flowering phase of the three

treatments. Light setup for Treatment A (3red: 1blue) measured 50-100 µmol m-2 s-1,

while Treatment B (1red : 3blue) had the light intensity of 250-350 µmol m -2 s-1 and

lastly, 150-200 µmol m-2 s-1 was measured for Treatment C (2red : 2blue). At the same

time, researchers have also prepared the three replicates of tomatoes for each set-up. Red

Top variety of tomato plant were used for each of the replicates. Tomatoes under the

experimental set-ups were exposed to LED lights for 8 hours of daylength. Amount of

water was remained constant in 100 mL for each of the plants being drenched twice a day

(morning and afternoon). Moreover, 2 kg of soil (2:4) composed of vermi-compost and

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

rice hulls was used for all of the tomato plants that was laboratory-analyzed to have the

pH level of 6.8, medium level of nitrogen, high level of phosphorus and sufficient level

of potassium— being proven to be sufficient for the nutrients needed for the plants.

Fertilizer applications for supplementary nutrient source were operated in constant for the

initial growth of the tomato plants.

Gathering of Data and Analysis of Results

The researchers monitored regularly the tomato plants in each setup until the

plants reach the production stage. There was a daily visitation carried out by the

researchers in order to analyze and observe comprehensively the different effects of the

three experimental setups.

During the production stage of the plants, counts of yields were observed and

analyzed in each replicate per treatment. The yield count was recorded up to the 3rd

month of tomato production.

The light intensity of each light source from the three (3) setups were measured

using quantum meter which was borrowed from CLSU Engineering Farm.

Physical Analysis of the Tomato

During the production stage of tomatoes, monitoring and analysis for the yield

count were carried out by the researchers. Each treatment was examined in terms of their

yield count.

Each replicate from each treatment were monitored regularly for approximately

20 days until first blossoms appeared on the plants. The yield were regularly counted

with an interval of 1 month. For each yield, from first to third month of the production of

tomatoes, the yield count from each replicate per treatment were recorded.

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Research Design

The experimental design to be utilized in this study is Randomized Complete

Block Design .

The tables below show the experimental design of the study.

Table 1.1

Experimental Design for the plant height of the Solanum lycopersicum on five (5)

different treatments

Treatment I Treatment II Treatment II Treatment IV Treatment V

(3 Red: 1 Blue) (1 Red: 3 Blue) (2 Red: 2 Blue) Natural Sunlight No Sunlight

R1
R2
R3

Table 1.1 shows the experimental design for the height of the Solanum

lycopersicum which underwent five different treatments. Observation were done for four

(4) months.

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Table 1.2

Experimental Design for the number of yield of the Solanum lycopersicum on five

different treatments.

Treatment II Treatment II
Treatment I Treatment IV Treatment V
(1 Red: 3 (2 Red: 2
(3 Red: 1 Blue) Natural Sunlight No Sunlight
Blue) Blue)
1st R1
R2
Month R3
2nd R1
R2
Month R3
3rd R1
R2
Month R3

Table 1.2 shows the experimental design for the number of yield of the Solanum

lycopersicum which underwent five (5) different treatments. This experiment was under

three (3) months of observation

Sampling Procedure and Samples

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

The sample technique that will be used in this study is purposive sampling which

is a Non-Probability Sampling. The researchers considered the plant height of each

replicate. Each plant had an equal height of 6 cm when it was bought.

Data Collection Procedure and Techniques

The researchers monitored the tomato plants regularly in each setup. Daily

visitation was carried out by the researchers in order to analyze and observe

comprehensively the different effects of the three experimental setups.

Once the plants reached maximum growth at the given time, plant height and

number of yield was gathered and analyzed in each replicate per treatment. Researchers

recorded the said variables on the second week of January.

Statistical Analysis of Data

The Statistical tools that the researchers used in the study is the T-test in order to

test the significant difference between the effectiveness of the dominant red and dominant

blue; dominant red and equal red and blue; dominant red and sunlight; dominant red and

with no sunlight; dominant blue LED lights and equal red and blue; dominant blue and

sunlight; dominant blue and with no sunlight; equal red and blue LED lights and sunlight;

equal red and blue and with no sunlight; sunlight and with no sunlight in the growth of

Solanum lycopersicum in terms of height and number yield which were tested for the

analysis, conclusion, and recommendation of the study.

Results and Discussion

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

This chapter presents and discusses the data collected based on the Effect of Red

and Blue LED Lights as the Primary Source of Light in the Growth of Solanum

lycopersicum.

Table 2.1

Light intensities

Treatment Ratio Light Intensity

(Red : Blue) (µmol m-2 s-1)
Treatment I 3:1 50-100
Treatment II 1:3 250-350
Treatment III 2:2 150-200

The table shows the measurement of the light intensities emitted by the three

treatments with varying spectral ratios. Treatment I with ratio of 3red:1blue LED lights

has a light intensity ranging from 50 to 100 µmol m -2 s-1. Treatment II with the ratio of

1red:3blue LED lights has a light intensity with a range of 250 to 350 µmol m -2 s-1. And

lastly, Treatment III with the ratio of 2red2blue have a light intensity measuring from 150

to 200 µmol m-2 s-1.

Going over, it could be deduced that red LED lights that were used for this

experiment exhibited lower light intensity compared to the blue ones. Considering that all

other variables are the same for every light sources apart from the wavelength of the light

which is given in the nature of light that: red has longer wavelength (650 nm) and blue

(450 nm) has shorter wavelength, the light intensity depends on the wavelength of the

light (Helmenstine, 2013). With this, the light intensity being inversely proportional with

the wavelength, signifies and supports why combination ratio of 3red: 1blue gave off

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

lower light energy compared to other spectrum mixes that were higher concentrated with

blue light.

Table 3.1

Voltage of the power supply.

Outlet I Outlet II Outlet III

Voltag

e 220 V 220 V 220 V

Table 3.1 shows that the voltage of each power supply is 220 volts.

Table 4.1

Power consumption of the treatments for 8 hours.

Treatment I Treatment II Treatment II

(3 Red: 1 Blue) (1 Red: 3 Blue) (2 Red: 2 Blue)

Power 98.4 W 98.4 W 98.4 W

Table 4.1 shows the computation of the power consumption of each treatment is

98.4 W for 8 hours.

Table 4.2

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Power consumption of the treatments for 120 days.

Treatment I Treatment II Treatment II

(3 Red: 1 Blue) (1 Red: 3 Blue) (2 Red: 2 Blue)

Power 11.808 kW 11.808 kW 11.808 kW

Table 4.2 shows the computation of the power consumption of each treatment for

120 days.

Table 5.1

The initial measurements of the height of the Solanum lycopersicum.

Treatment
Treatment
Treatment I Treatment II Treatment III IV
V
(3 Red: 1 Blue) (1 Red: 3 Blue) (2 Red: 2 Blue) Natural
No Sunlight
Sunlight
R1 6 cm 6 cm 6 cm 6 cm 6 cm
R2 6 cm 6 cm 6 cm 6 cm 6 cm
R3 6 cm 6 cm 6 cm 6 cm 6 cm

Table 5.1 presents the initial measurements of the plant height of the Solanum

lycopersicum. All measurements are equal before the replicates got subjected into five (5)

treatments in under four (4) months of observation.

Table 6.1

The final measurements of the height of the Solanum lycopersicum

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Treatment Treatmen
Treatment III
Treatment I Treatment II IV tV
(2 Red: 2
(3 Red: 1 Blue) (1 Red: 3 Blue) Natural No
Blue)
Sunlight Sunlight
R1 87.6 cm 68.2 cm 79.3 cm 83.5 cm 0 cm
R2 85.7 cm 71.5 cm 75 cm 79.6 cm 0 cm
R3 88.3 cm 74.6 cm 80.5 cm 82 cm 0 cm

Table 6.1 presents the final measurements of the manual experimentation and

application of treatments for the Solanum lycopersicum in which the heights were

compared in centimeters after four (4) months. Based on the table, it can be observed that

the Treatment I (3 Red: 1 Blue) had yielded the highest height measurements among the

five (5) treatments.

Table 6.2

Yield Counts of Treatments

Treatment I Treatment II Treatment III Treatment IV Treatment V

(3 Red: 1 Blue) (1 Red: 3 (2 Red: 2 Natural Sunlight No Sunlight

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 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Blue) Blue)
1st R1 28 21 21 31 -
R2 29 33 44 21 -
Month R3 31 23 31 18 -
2nd R1 37 24 34 29 -
R2 36 15 24 24 -
Month R3 36 32 24 30 -
3rd R1 48 27 35 52 -
R2 47 32 38 36 -
Month R3 48 31 36 39 -

Table 6.2 presents the yield count of the manual experimentation and application

of treatments for the Solanum lycopersicum in which the yield were counted every month

for four (4) months. Based on the table, it can be observed that the Treatment I (3 Red: 1

Blue) the highest yield count among the five (5) treatments.

Table 7.1

ANOVA Single Factor for the height of the Solanum Lycopersicum

Anova: Single Factor

SUMMARY
Groups Count Sum AverageVarianc
e
Treatment I 3 261.6 87.2 1.81
Treatment II 3 214.3 71.4333 10.2433
3 3
Treatment III
Legend: 3 234.8 78.2666 8.36333
- No data was presented because the7 Solanum Lycopersicum
3 withered.
Treatment IV 3 245.1 81.7 3.87
Treatment V 3 - - -

25
 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

ANOVA
Source of SS df MS F P-value F crit
Variation
Between 391.896 130.632 21.5150 0.00034 4.06618
Groups 7 3 2 5 7 1
Within Groups 48.5733 6.07166
3 8 7

Total 15666.3 14        
6

Legend:
Result
- No data was presented because the Solanum Lycopersicum withered.
shows that

the p- value

is less than the significance level of 0.05, hence the null hypothesis was rejected.

Therefore, there is a significant difference between the effectiveness of Treatment I (3

Red; 1 Blue), Treatment II (1 Red; 3 Blue) Treatment III (2 Red; 2 Blue), Treatment IV

(Natural Sunlight), and Treatment V (No Sunlight) in terms of the height of the Solanum

Lycopersicum.

Table 7.2

ANOVA Single Factor for the number of yield of the Solanum Lycopersicum

Anova: Single Factor

SUMMARY
Groups Count Sum Average Varianc
e

26
 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Treatment I 64.9444
9 340 37.77778 4
Treatment II 38.0277
9 238 26.44444 8
Treatment III 57.3611
9 287 31.88889 1
Treatment IV 106.611
9 280 31.11111 1
Treatment V 9 - - -

ANOVA
Source of SS df MS F P-value F crit
Variation
Between 584.083 2.91737
Groups 3 3 194.6944 8 0.049136 2.90112
Within Groups 2135.55
6 32 66.73611

Total 2719.63
9 35        

Legend:
- No data was presented because the Solanum Lycopersicum withered. Result

shows that

the p- value

is less than the significance level of 0.05, hence the null hypothesis was rejected.

Therefore, there is a significant difference between the effectiveness of Treatment I (3

Red; 1 Blue), Treatment II (1 Red; 3 Blue) Treatment III (2 Red; 2 Blue), Treatment IV

(Natural Sunlight), and Treatment V (No Sunlight) in terms of the number of yield of the

Solanum Lycopersicum.

Table 8.1

Summary of the results of the T test for Height of the Solanum lycopersicum.
27
 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

T2;T
T1;T2 T1;T3 T1;T4 T1;T5 T2;T3 T2;T4 T3;T4 T3;T5 T4;T5
5
0.0014 0.00833 0.01616 3.78E- 0.0517 0.0090 2.67E- 0.164 1.24E- 2.24E-
P Value
12 3 9 08 01 81 06 313 06 07

Table 8.1 discusses the results of T test for the height of Solanum lycopersicum.

The table showed that the comparison between Treatment I (3 Red: 1 Blue) and all the

other treatments had P values less than 0.05 which means there is a significant difference

in terms of height. Since Treatment V (No Sunlight) also had less than 0.05 when

compared to all of the treatments, it indicates that there is a significant difference in terms

of height. On the other hand, P values above 0.05 indicates there is no significant

difference in terms of height like in the comparison of Treatment II (1 Red:3 Blue) to

Treatment III (2 Red: 2 Blue) and Treatment III (2 Red: 2 Blue) to Treatment IV (Natural

Sunlight).

Table 8.2

28
 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Summary of the results of the T test of the Yield Count of the Solanum lycopersicum.

T1;T2 T1;T3 T1;T4 T1;T5 T2;T3 T2;T4 T2;T5 T3;T4 T3;T5 T4;T5
1st 0.3909 0.71161 4.87E- 0.45279 0.6882 0.0022 0.3250 0.00403
0.210549 0.00861
Month 4 6 06 4 51 95 62 5

2nd 0.0617 0.05485 4.25E- 0.57013 0.4885 0.0085 0.9345 0.00120 0.00011
0.01006
Month 38 1 08 2 14 24 76 5 8
3rd 1.43E- 0.02294 0.07448 3.96E- 0.2954 2.07E- 0.00099
0.00035 0.000275 0.339469
Month 08 8 9 05 22 06 5

Table 8.2 discusses the summary of the results of t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming

Equal Variances for the yield count of Solanum lycopersicum. The table shows P-values

of treatments that are being compared. On the first the month, all treatments that were

compared to Treatment V (No Sunlight) were below 0.05 indicating that there is

significant difference in the number of yield. Comparison of treatments from Treatment I

(3 Red : 1 Blue) to Treatment IV (Sunlight) shows values greater than 0.05 that indicates

that there is no significant difference in the yield count. On the second month,

comparison between Treatment V (No Sunlight) and other treatments such as Treatment I

(3 Red: 1 Blue) had P-values less than 0.05 which means that there is significant

difference in the yield count. Once again, comparison of treatments from Treatment I (3

Red : 1 Blue) to Treatment IV (Sunlight) shows values greater than 0.05 that indicates

that there is no significant difference in the yield count. On the third and last month, t-

Test results of Treatment I (3 Red: 1 Blue) compared to Treatment II (1 Red: 3 Blue) had

a P-value of 0.00035 which is less than 0.005 indicating that there is significant

difference in yield count. Comparison of Treatment I (3 Red: 1 Blue) and Treatment III

(2 Red:2 Blue) got a P-value of 0.000275 which is also less than 0.05 which means there

29
 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

is also a significant difference in the number of yield. Additionally, Treatment V (No

sunlight) got P-values less than 0.05 when compared to every treatment. Comparison

such as Treatment I (3 Red:1 Blue) and Treatment IV (Sunlight) got P-values above 0.05

that indicates that there is no significant difference in the yield count.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Conclusion

30
 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

Based on the findings of the study, the results clearly show that the dominant red LED

lights was the most effective source of light in the growth of Solanum lycopersicum

among other treatments used in the study. This is because the said treatment produced the

most yield and contributes the most in terms of plant height. It is followed respectively by

the positive control (sunlight), the equal red and blue LED lights, and the dominant blue

LED lights. While the negative control (no sunlight) unable to sustain life. The Varying

ratios of red and blue LED light as primary light source for tomatoes grown under the

method of indoor farming showed different light intensities wherein higher red quantity

exhibited lower intensity and higher blue quantity emitted higher intensity. Mean

computation on the growth of plants indicates that the higher ratio of red light in the

tomatoes’ light source (3red: 1blue) can generate greater growth and greater yield, hence

the most number of blue light in the light source (1red: 3blue) generates least yield and

the least growth of tomato plant. With all the results gathered from the study, tomatoes

can be grown using the method of indoor farming under different ratio of colored LED

lights. It can be concluded that the Red LED light that has lower light intensity can be

more beneficial to the growth of the tomato plant.

Recommendation

31
 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RED AND BLUE LED LIGHTS AS THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF LIGHT IN THE GROWTH OF Solanum lycopersicum

With the outcome shaped by the performed experimentation, the researchers

would like to direct other pioneers of tomato production and indoor farming that may also

want to focus on colored Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lights. They would like to

recommend to:

1. Consider appropriate and well ventilation of rooms for indoor farm to allow air

circulation, humidity and temperature regulation while light factors remain unaltered.

2. Include other light quality parameters (spectral quality, illuminance, light distribution,

etc.) of the varying light sources as one of the factors that will be observed.

3. Make use of different types of lights (Super Bright LED strips, etc.) with higher

wattage and lumens.

4. Make use of different color of lights.

5. Establish different ratios of red and blue LED lights that may sustain the plant

development and to ensure better vegetative and reproductive response of plants.

6. Use LED lights on other type of plants or crops.

7. Determine other variables such as the angles of the treatments.

8. Determine the cost effectiveness of each treatment.

32