Effects of LED Irradiation and Non-Thermal Plasma Treatment on Horned Pansy During Flowering: Enhancing Yield and Functional Quality of Edible Flowers

The increasing demand for high-quality edible flowers, such as Viola spp., has prompted the need for innovative cultivation techniques. This study investigated the effects of supplemental LED light treatments (C-LED: 0 µmol m−2 s−1, L-LED: +75 µmol m−2 s−1, and H-LED: +150 µmol m−2 s−1) and Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) air treatment (control, low-NTP, and high-NTP) on the growth, production, and post-harvest quality of horned pansy (Viola cornuta L.). The results indicated that flower yield was significantly affected by both light and NTP treatments. Plants under H-LED light produced 65% more flowers per plant and 64% higher yield compared to the LED control treatment. The high-NTP treatment also resulted in improved flower count and yield, with a 15.6% increase in flower fresh weight. The study assessed flower quality through shelf-life and visual appeal, showing that flowers under high-NTP treatment exhibited higher visual quality scores. The carotenoid content and total antioxidant capacity remained stable across treatments. However, the supplemental LED light increased the Total Flavonoid Glycosides and Total Phenolic Content by 14.8% each compared to natural light (0 µmol m−2 s−1). The findings suggest that integrating LED lighting and NTP air treatments can enhance the growth and quality of V. cornuta, offering valuable insights for optimizing cultivation practices in the floriculture industry.