Analysis of Tomato Seedling Growth and Physiology Under Fluctuating Light Conditions Using Chlorophyll Fluorometry

Electricity costs significantly challenge indoor tomato farming, particularly in regions like Finland that require winter supplementary lighting. Exploring energyefficient light regimes, such as day-night swaps, fluctuating regimes, and far-red radiation, is vital for cost reduction and productivity. This study evaluates how fluctuating light regimes with and without far-red treatments could impact the physiology of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Encore’) seedlings. The Compact NaPPI phenotyping facility with a Chlorophyll fluorometry protocols was used to assess the physiological responses. High-resolution imaging provides a comprehensive picture of plant photosynthetic responses. The current research attempts to describe the plant responses in varying environmental conditions through studying non-photochemical quenching as well as electron transport rates. The different fluctuating light regimes applied were shown to impact nonphotochemical quenching dynamics. Furthermore, Far Red light universally known to enhance biomass and canopy expansion, did improve efficiency of photosynthetic process in split night treatment.