Technological mint and melise cultivation methods on vertical shelves

The aim of research is to study the effect of different spectra of LED lighting on the formation of the vegetative mass of Mentha×piperita L. and Melissa officinalis L. at the threshold values of photosynthetic irradiation for green crops. The study was carried out at the Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM (Moscow) during 2020-2021. The object of the study was Mentha × piperita L. (peppermint), Aromatnaya variety, and Melissa officinalis L. (Lemon balm), Lemon Aroma variety. Mint and melissa plants were grown hydroponically on vertical racks using flow-through technology. On the shelves, luminaires 1, 2 and 3 were used, based on blue, green and red LEDs with a total PAR intensity of 150 mmol/m2s. Far red spectrum 12 (lamps 1 and 3) and 6 % (lamp 2) were added to the main illumination spectrum for early seed germination and subsequent active plant growth. It was found that the reaction of plants to a different ratio of the light spectrum manifested itself depending on the phenological phase. Evaluation of the results of the development of the assimilation apparatus of mint and melissa showed that, when the far red spectrum (6 %) was added to the total spectral composition, it promoted the activation of photosynthetic activity of leaves, which manifested itself in the formation of a larger leaf surface area. According to the lighting options, the studied plants showed no difference in the daily growth, as well as in the accumulation of total chlorophyll and carotenoids in mint and melissa leaves. The use of technology based on LED lighting in combination with a hydroponic growing method provides plants with optimal conditions for growth and development, and also contributes to increased yields. LED lamps with a low level of photosynthetic irradiation can be used for growing and obtaining commercial products of mint and melissa with minimal energy consumption under controlled photoculture conditions.