Light is very important for plant growth and a major limiting factor in indoor plant cultivation, such as in balconies. This study was conducted to investigate the light intensity and lettuce (Latuca sativa L.) growth in an apartment balcony affected by the direction of balcony. Photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), air temperature, and relative humidity in the east-, south-, or west-facing balcony were measured for a year. The lettuce was grown in the east-, south-, or west-facing balcony. The time and amount of light entering into the balcony differed according to the direction of the balcony window. Whereas light entered into the east-facing balcony from sunrise to noon, it entered into the west-facing balcony afternoon before sunset. The temperature and humidity in the balcony also varied according to the direction of the balcony window. Daily Light Integral (DLI) in the south-facing balcony was 20~50% of outdoor and DLI in east- or west-facing balconies was 10~20%. Also, the environmental characteristics of the balconies were affected seasonally. In the spring (from March to May), the DLI was around 10 mol･m-2･day-1 and the average temperature was around 25°C. But the DLI was below 10 mol･m-2･day-1 and the average temperature and relative humidity were around 30°C and over 60%, respectively, in the summer (from June to August). In the balcony, the average temperature was maintained around 10°C even in winter, which is a condition of freezing outdoor. Growth of the lettuce in the south-facing balcony was better than that of the other directions. This is attributed to better environmental conditions of south-facing balcony. Therefore, considering the environmental characteristics of the balcony, selection and management of crops with relatively low light demand like leafy vegetables are required. It is also recommended to cultivate crops from autumn to spring.

도시 아파트의 발코니와 빌딩옥상에서 상추, 래디시, 미니배추 등의 채소를 재배하여 비타민 C와 총페놀성 화합물 함량을 측정하였으며, 항산화활성을 재배장소별로 비교하였다. 아파트의 남향 발코니에서 재배한 채소는 외부 환경에 노출된 옥상 재배와 비슷한 생육정도를 보였으나, 일조량이 부족한 동향 발코니 재배 채소는 크기는 작으나 조직이 연해 샐러드용으로 활용하기에 적합한 것으로 나타났다. 남향 발코니에서 30일 재배한 상추와 래디시의 비타민 C 함량은 각각 18.0 mg%과 27.9 mg%로서, 동향 발코니와 옥상 재배 채소보다 높게 나타났으나, 총페놀성 화합물 함량과 항산화활성은 옥상재배 채소보다 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 발코니에서 재배한 채소는 수확 후 바로 섭취함으로서 저장 및 유통에 따른 항산화물질의 손실을 줄일 수 있을 것이며, 발코니 공간은 봄부터 가을철 까지 다양한 채소를 재배할 수 있는 채소밭으로 활용 가능함을 확인하였다. 따라서 도시 아파트의 발코니에서 기능성 식용식물을 재배한다면 관상효과와 더불어 매일 신선한 무공해 채소를 공급하게 될 것이며, 본 연구 결과는 발코니 채소밭 보급을 위한 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.