The effects of intracanopy lighting on cowpea production.

Utilizing a combination of above-canopy and intracanopy lighting may prove highly beneficial in a Lunar Controlled Ecological Life Support System (LCELSS) as a means of increasing volumetric efficiency of plant growth. Intracanopy lighting was not found to be detrimental to plant tissue and production per plant when cowpeas were grown using sand culture. Specifically, intracanopy lighting did not adversely influence leaf area, dry mass, or wet mass production. Although no significant differences were found when 25% of the lighting was placed intracanopy, this is important because it indicates that there is potential in saving space for controlled growth systems. The use of intracanopy lighting would allow plant trays to be "stacked" closer, thereby increasing volumetric plant density.