Online First

 Preview Page

Research Article

Combined Application of Supplemental Lighting and Solid CO2 Generators to Improve the Growth, Yield, and Profitability of Winter Greenhouse Cucumber Cultivation
Jeong Kil Koo1
,
Jin Yu1
,
Eun Won Park1
,
So Yeong Hwang1
,
Ji Hye Yun1
,
Hyeong Eun Choi1
,
Hee Sung Hwang23
,
Seung Jae Hwang12345*
1Division of Applied Life Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
2Division of Crop Science, Graduate School of Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
3Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
4Division of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
5Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea
*Corresponding Author
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

To enhance the productivity of greenhouse cucumbers during periods of low solar radiation, we evaluated the effects of the simultaneous application of supplemental lighting and CO2 enrichment using solid CO2 generators on growth, fruit quality, and yield outcomes. The study period was 75 days and plants were in a plastic greenhouse divided into ambient (control) and buffer zones along with a zone with simultaneous supplemental lighting and solid CO2 generators (SL+sCO2). When female flowers began to bloom, light-emitting diodes (LED) with a red:blue ratio of 5:5 were used for supplemental lighting, and solid CO2 generators were used to increase CO2 concentrations. Supplemental lighting was provided for 4 h immediately after sunrise at a light intensity level of 150 µmol·m-2·s-1. The use of solid CO2 generators increased CO2 concentrations by an average of 217 ± 67 µmol·mol-1 compared with the control. SL+sCO2 significantly increased the plant height, number of leaves, number of nodes, and SPAD values compared with the control. The overall number of female flowers was higher in the SL+sCO2 case than in the control, and SL+sCO2 exhibited significantly greater fruit widths as well as fresh and dry weights. The yield of SL+sCO2 was 18% higher than that of the control. An economic analysis revealed that SL+sCO2 generated additional net income of 4,796,415 KRW·10 a-1, with the income ratio increasing by 21% over the control. These results suggest that the simultaneous application of supplemental LED lighting and solid CO2 generators effectively improves fruit quality, yield, and farm income outcomes during winter greenhouse cucumber cultivation while also providing practical insights for overcoming low-radiation constraints.

Keywords
CO2 concentration
farm income
female flower
fruit characteristic
low radiation
References
1

An JH, Jeon SH, Lee MH, Jang DC, Choi EY, Na JK, Choi KY (2021) Effect of soil irrigation starting point using tensiometer on growth and water use of cucumber in greenhouse. Hortic Sci Technol 39:232–242. https://doi.org/10.7235/HORT.20210021

10.7235/HORT.20210021
2

Ando E, Maeda K, Aimi N, Ahn D (2025) Comparative analyses of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivars with varying node formation rate in greenhouse. BMC Plant Biol 25:1547. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07587-3

10.1186/s12870-025-07587-341225327PMC12613712
3

Choi HE, Hwang SY, Yun JH, Yu J, Hwang JH, Park EW, Koo JK, Hwang HS, Hwang SJ (2023a) Growth and seedling quality of grafted cucumber seedlings by different cultivars and supplemental light sources of low radiation period and early yield of cucumber after transplanting. J Bio-Env Con 32:319–327. https://doi.org/10.12791/KSBEC.2023.32.4.319

10.12791/KSBEC.2023.32.4.319
4

Choi SH, Woo YH, Jang DC, Jeong YA, Kim DH, Seo HS, Choi EY (2023b) Model-based calculations of ventilation rate, carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption rate by plants, and amounts of ventilated and supplied CO2 for tomato hydroponic greenhouse during a winter season. Hortic Sci Technol 41:379–389. https://doi.org/10.7235/HORT.20230035

10.7235/HORT.20230035
5

Dannehl D, Kläring HP, Schmidt U (2021) Light-Mediated Reduction in Photosynthesis in Closed Greenhouses Can Be Compensated for by CO2 Enrichment in Tomato Production. Plants 10:2808. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122808

10.3390/plants1012280834961279PMC8705473
6

Davis PA, Burns C (2016) Photobiology in protected horticulture. Food Energy Secur 5:223–238. https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.97

10.1002/fes3.97
7

Demers DA, Gosselin A (2000) Growing greenhouse tomato and sweet pepper under supplemental lighting: optimal photoperiod, negative effects of long photoperiod and their causes. In IV International ISHS Symposium on Artificial Lighting 580:83–88. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.580.9

10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.580.9
8

Dorais M (2003) The use of supplemental lighting for vegetable crop production: light intensity, crop response, nutrition, crop management, cultural practices. Canadian Greenhouse Conference 9

9

Fierro A, Gosselin A, Tremblay N (1994) Supplemental carbon dioxide and light improved tomato and pepper seedling growth and yield. HortScience 29:152–154. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.29.3.152

10.21273/HORTSCI.29.3.152
10

Gao L, Yu G, Hu F, Li Z, Li W, Peng C (2021) The patterns of male and female flowers in flowering stage may not be optimal resource allocation for fruit and seed growth. Plants 10:2819. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122819

10.3390/plants1012281934961290PMC8706146
11

Gruda NS, Samuolienè G, Dong J, Li X (2025) Environmental conditions and nutritional quality of vegetables in protected cultivation. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 24:e70139. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.70139

10.1111/1541-4337.7013939970014PMC11838150
12

Hidaka K, Okamoto A, Araki T, Miyoshi Y, Dan K, Imamura H, Kitano M, Sameshima K, Okimura M (2014) Effect of photoperiod of supplemental lighting with light-emitting diodes on growth and yield of strawberry. Environ Control Biol 52:63–71. https://doi.org/10.2525/ecb.52.63

10.2525/ecb.52.63
13

Hogewoning SW, Trouwborst G, Maljaars H, Poorter H, Van Ieperen W, Harbinson J (2010) Blue light dose–responses of leaf photosynthesis, morphology, and chemical composition of Cucumis sativus grown under different combinations of red and blue light. J Exp Bot 61:3107–3117. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erq132

10.1093/jxb/erq13220504875PMC2892149
14

Hovi T, Näkkilä J, Tahvonen R (2004) Interlighting improves production of year-round cucumber. Sci Hortic 102:283–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2004.04.003

10.1016/j.scienta.2004.04.003
15

Hu E, Tong L, Hu D, Liu H (2011) Mixed effects of CO2 concentration on photosynthesis of lettuce in a closed artificial ecosystem. Ecol Eng 37:2082–2086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2011.08.012

10.1016/j.ecoleng.2011.08.012
16

Huber BM, Louws FJ, Hernández R (2021) Impact of different daily light integrals and carbon dioxide concentrations on the growth, morphology, and production efficiency of tomato seedlings. Front Plant Sci 12:615853. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.615853

10.3389/fpls.2021.61585333747000PMC7966728
17

Hwang HS, Lee KH, Jeong HW, Hwang SJ (2022) Selection of supplemental light source for greenhouse cultivation of pepper during low radiation period through growth and economic analysis. J Bio-Env Con 31:204–211. https://doi.org/10.12791/KSBEC.2022.31.3.204

10.12791/KSBEC.2022.31.3.204
18

Ji F, Wei S, Liu N, Xu L, Yang P (2020) Growth of cucumber seedlings in different varieties as affected by light environment. Int J Agric Biol Eng 13:73-78. https://doi.org/10.25165/j.ijabe.20201305.5566

10.25165/j.ijabe.20201305.5566
19

Kang C, Zhang Y, Cheng R, Kaiser E, Yang Q, Li T (2021) Acclimating cucumber plants to blue supplemental light promotes growth in full sunlight. Front Plant Sci 12:782465. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.782465

10.3389/fpls.2021.78246534912362PMC8668241
20

Kang M, Lee JE, Sohn S, Kim J, Cho S, Park J, Kang N, Park KS (2024) Estimation of cucumber net primary production using environmental and control information in a smart multi-span plastic greenhouse. Comput Electron Agric 219:108819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2024.108819

10.1016/j.compag.2024.108819
21

Kim D, Goo H, Yoon S, Yoon J, Kim H, Yoo Y, Lee M, Park KS (2025a) Effects of supplemental LED lighting based on solar irradiation and carbon dioxide enrichment on photosynthesis, growth, and yield of greenhouse-grown tomato plants. J People Plants Environ 28:1-12. https://doi.org/10.11628/ksppe.2025.28.1.1

10.11628/ksppe.2025.28.1.1
22

Kim HG, Song KH, Lee JS, Kim JW, Kim BM, Chang EC (2025b) Characteristics of record-breaking precipitation in 2023/24 winter over the Korean peninsula and relevant atmospheric patterns. Atmosphere 35:181-192. https://doi.org/10.14191/Atmos.2025.35.2.181

10.14191/Atmos.2025.35.2.181
23

Kim M, Shawon MRA, Rabbani MG, Choi KY (2024) Effect of daily light integral on the growth, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence of cucumber plants in pot soil culture. J Bio-Env Con 33:179-188. https://doi.org/10.12791/KSBEC.2024.33.4.179

10.12791/KSBEC.2024.33.4.179
24

Kim SH, Kang JG, Ryu CS, Kang YS, Sarkar TK, Kang DH, Ku YG, Kim DE (2018) Estimation of moisture content in cucumber and watermelon seedlings using hyperspectral imagery. J Bio-Env Con 27:34–39. https://doi.org/10.12791/KSBEC.2018.27.1.34

10.12791/KSBEC.2018.27.1.34
25

Koo JK, Hwang HS, Hwang JH, Park EW, Yu J, Yoon JH, Hwang SY, Choi HE, Hwang SJ (2025) Supplemental lighting and CO2 enrichment on the growth, fruit quality, and yield of cucumber. Hortic Environ Biotechnol 66:77–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-024-00638-y

10.1007/s13580-024-00638-y
26

Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation (aT) (2024) https://at.agromarket.kr/. Accessed 15 May 2024

27

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) (2024) https://astro.kasi.re.kr/index. Accessed from 23 January to 5 March 2024

28

Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) (2024) https://data.kma.go.kr/data/grnd/selectAsosRltmList.do. Accessed 10 November 2024

29

Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) (2024) https://kosis.kr/index/index.do. Accessed 29 July 2024

30

Kwon JK, Yu IH, Park KS, Lee JH, Kim JH, Lee JS, Lee DS (2018) Supplemental lighting by HPS and PLS lamps affects growth and yield of cucumber during low radiation period. J Bio-Env Con 27:400–406. https://doi.org/10.12791/KSBEC.2018.27.4.400

10.12791/KSBEC.2018.27.4.400
31

Łaźny R, Mirgos M, Przybył AL, Wójcik-Gront E, Bella S, Gajc-Wolska S, Kowalczyk W, Nowak JS, Kunka M, et al. (2024) Effect of lignite substrate compared to mineral wool and supplementary lighting with HPS and LED on growth, plant photosynthetic activity, yield and fruit quality of greenhouse cucumber. Sci Hortic 327:112839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2023.112839

10.1016/j.scienta.2023.112839
32

Leakey ADB, Ainsworth EA, Bernacchi CJ, Rogers A, Long SP, Ort DR (2009) Elevated CO2 effects on plant carbon, nitrogen, and water relations: six important lessons from FACE. J Exp Bot 60:2859–2876. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erp096

10.1093/jxb/erp096
33

Lee JW, Kim HC, Jeong PH, Ku YG, Bae JH (2014) Effects of supplemental lighting of high pressure sodium and lighting emitting plasma on growth and productivity of paprika during low radiation period of winter season. Hortic Sci Technol 32: 346–352. https://doi.org/10.7235/hort.2014.14029

10.7235/hort.2014.14029
34

Lee YS, Seo HY, Kim GD, Moon JH, Lee YH, Choi KJ, Lee Y, Park JH, Kang JH (2010) A comparison of quality and volatile components of two cucumber cultivars grown under organic and conventional conditions. Korean J Food Sci Technol 42:407–413

35

Lopez R, Runkle ES (2017) Light management in controlled environments. Meister Media Worldwide, Ohio, USA, pp 22–161

36

Marcelis LFM (1996) Fruit growth and dry matter partitioning in cucumber. Thesis Wageningen, Netherland, pp 8–40

37

Nederhoff EM (1994) Effects of CO2 concentration on photosynthesis, transpiration, and production of greenhouse fruit vegetable crops. Wageningen university, Netherland, pp 150–155

38

Oh SI, Lee JH, Lee AK (2019) Growth, antioxidant concentrations, and activity in Sedum takesimense as affected by supplemental LED irradiation with light quality. Hortic Sci Technol 37:589–597. https://doi.org/10.7235/HORT.20190059

10.7235/HORT.20190059
39

Pan T, Ding J, Qin G, Wang Y, Xi L, Yang J, Li J, Zhang J, Zou Z (2019) Interaction of supplementary light and CO2 enrichment improves growth, photosynthesis, yield, and quality of tomato in autumn through spring greenhouse production. HortScience 54:246–252. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13709-18

10.21273/HORTSCI13709-18
40

Poudel M, Dunn B (2017) Greenhouse carbon dioxide supplementation. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, HLA–6723

41

Pyon JY, Yoon SJ, Lee IJ, Kim DS (2014) Samgo. Plant Physiol. 1st ed. Hyangmoonsa, Seoul, Korea, pp 117–139

42

Ren C, Jiang L, Chen W, Wang Z (2024) Effect of different post-flowering photoperiods on main agronomic traits of strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch. Cv. Akihime). Agronomy 14:2039. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092039

10.3390/agronomy14092039
43

Ribeiro JP, Barbosa-Póvoa A (2021) The impact of CO2 pricing in SC Resilience-An optimisation model. Comput Aided Chem Eng 50:927-932. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-88506-5.50143-1

10.1016/B978-0-323-88506-5.50143-1
44

Rural Development Administration (RDA) (2021) Agriculture technology guide 107: Cucumber. RDA, Jeonju, Korea, pp 12–102

45

Sánchez-Guerrero MC, Lorenzo P, Medrano E, Castilla N, Soriano T, Baille A (2005) Effect of variable CO2 enrichment on greenhouse production in mild winter climates. Agric For Meteorol 132:244-252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2005.07.014

10.1016/j.agrformet.2005.07.014
46

Shang L, Gaudreau L, Martel M, Michaud D, Pepin S, Gosselin A (2018) Effects of CO2 enrichment, LED inter-lighting, and high plant density on growth of Nicotiana benthamiana used as a host to express influenza virus hemagglutinin H1. Hortic Environ Biotechnol 59:637–648. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-018-0085-0

10.1007/s13580-018-0085-0
47

Sharmeer S, Ratcliffe RG, Sweetlove LJ (2019) Leaf energy balance requires mitochondrial respiration and export of chloroplast NADPH in the light. Plant Physiol 180:1947–1961. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.19.00624

10.1104/pp.19.0062431213510PMC6670072
48

Shin YS, Lee JE, Kim MK, Cheung JD, Do HW, Park JU, Kim JH, Park JT, Suh JK (2014) Effect of solid CO2 generator treatment on fruit yield and quality of Korean melon (Cucumis melo var. hybrida). J Bio-Env Con 23:83–87. https://doi.org/10.12791/KSBEC.2014.23.2.83

10.12791/KSBEC.2014.23.2.83
49

Singh D, Basu C, Meinhardt-Wollweber M, Roth B (2015) LEDs for energy efficient greenhouse lighting. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 49:139–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.117

10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.117
50

Son JE, Park JS, Park HY (1999) Analysis of carbon dioxide changes in urban-type plant factory system. Hortic Environ Biotechnol 40:205–208

51

Son JI, Kim IS, Choi JM, Bae JH (2021) Samgo greenhouses horticulture. Hyangmoonsa, Seoul, Korea, pp 149-158

52

Song H, Li Y, Xu X, Zhang J, Zheng S, Hou L, Xin G, Li M (2020) Analysis of genes related to chlorophyll metabolism under elevated CO2 in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Sci Hort 261:108988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2019.108988

10.1016/j.scienta.2019.108988
53

Stutte GW (2015) Commercial transition to LEDs: A pathway to high-value products. HortScience 50:1297–1300. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.50.9.1297

10.21273/HORTSCI.50.9.1297
54

Wang S, Fang H, Xie J, Wu Y, Tang Z, Liu Z, Lv J, Yu J (2021) Physiological responses of cucumber seedlings to different supplemental light duration of red and blue LED. Front Plant Sci 12:709313. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.709313

10.3389/fpls.2021.70931334322149PMC8311605
55

Wei H, Hu J, Liu C, Wang M, Zhao J, Kang DI, Jeong BR (2018) Effect of supplementary light source on quality of grafted tomato seedlings and expression of two photosynthetic genes. Agronomy 8:207. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy8100207

10.3390/agronomy8100207
56

Xiao L, Shibuya T, Kato K, Nishiyama M, Kanayama Y (2022) Effects of light quality on plant development and fruit metabolism and their regulation by plant growth regulators in tomato. Sci Hortic 300:111076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111076

10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111076
57

Yu J, Yun JH, Hwang SY, Park EW, Hwang JH, Choi HE, Koo JK, Hwang HS, Hwang SJ (2023) Effect of shading and supplemental lighting for greenhouse cultivation of cucumber in summer season. J Bio-Env Con 32:226-233. https://doi.org/10.12791/KSBEC.2023.32.3.226

10.12791/KSBEC.2023.32.3.226
58

Yu L, Fujiwara K, Matsuda R (2022) Recent levels of daily photosynthetic photon flux density have a larger influence on light acclimation responses of cucumber leaves than earlier levels. Hortic Environ Biotechnol 63:55–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-021-00375-6

10.1007/s13580-021-00375-6
59

Zhang S, Sun J, Feng D, Sun H, Cui J, Zeng X, Wu Y, Luan G, Lu X (2023) Unlocking the potentials of cyanobacterial photosynthesis for directly converting carbon dioxide into glucose. Nat Commun 14:3425. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39222-w

10.1038/s41467-023-39222-w37296173PMC10256809
Information
  • Publisher :KOREAN SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국원예학회
  • Journal Title :Horticultural Science and Technology
  • Journal Title(Ko) :원예과학기술지
  • Received Date : 2026-04-02
  • Revised Date : 2026-07-13
  • Accepted Date : 2026-07-16
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7235/HORT.20260025
Journal Informaiton Horticultural Science and Technology Horticultural Science and Technology
Online Submission
  • scopus
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close