Experimental Study of the Effects of Artificial Lighting on the Maturing of Figs

Abstract

The maturation of figs under varied fluorescent lighting conditions was studied. Two commercial fluorescent light sources were tested. The first was a tube type used for copy machines. The second was a three-band fluorescent lamp. The third lighting condition was created by combining both tube types. Testing was done using different daily lighting cycles. The input power during on-time was kept constant for all test conditions. Light and temperature are the main factors affecting the maturing of figs. The degree of maturation was identified by color changes and quantitative measurement by assessing such characteristics as weight, flesh hardness, and sugar content. The experimental results revealed that mixed light sources with 16 hours per day of irradiation were the most effective inpractical greenhouse cultivation.