scholarly journals Growth, water consumption and mineral composition of watercress under hydroponic system with brackish water

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquele M Lira ◽  
Ênio FF Silva ◽  
Gerônimo F Silva ◽  
Hammady R Soares ◽  
Lilia G Willadino

ABSTRACT The underground water reserves in the semi-arid region present high salinity levels. However, the scarcity of the resource compels the use of this water for several human activities, including agriculture. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of brackish water for watercress cultivation (Nasturtium officinale) in a hydroponic NFT system (laminar flow of nutrients) and effects on water consumption, growth, yield and nutrient extraction by the plant. We studied six levels of salinity (0.2; 1.2; 2.2; 3.2; 4.2 and 5.2 dS m-1), in a completely randomized experimental design, with four replicates. Salinity was obtained by the addition of NaCl into the local water supply, being these waters used to prepare the nutrient solution and to replace the evapotranspirated water volume. We noticed a reduction in leaf area, fresh and dry mass of shoot, K content in plant and water consumption of the crop and, increased contents of P, Na, Cl in the plants, with increasing salinity of the solution. The use of brackish water for watercress cultivation in hydroponics is possible as an alternative for producers who have availability of brackish water and restricted possibility of fresh water. A reduction in dry mass of plants was observed with increasing electrical conductivity.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-210
Author(s):  
Raquele M Lira ◽  
Ênio FF Silva ◽  
Lilia Willadino ◽  
Ronaldo A Oliveira Filho ◽  
Gilvany R Andrade

ABSTRACT Underground water reserves in Semiarid Region present high salinity levels; however, scarcity of resource compels farmers to use this water for conventional agriculture. Biomass production and activity of the antioxidative defense system of Chinese cabbage and watercress were evaluated in plants grown under hydroponic NFT system with brackish water. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications and five water salinity levels (1.95; 3.37; 4.48; 6.82 and 7.51 dS m-1), obtained by an increasing addition of NaCl into the local water supply and nutrient salts for preparation of nutrient solution. Both watercress and Chinese cabbage plants decreased in fresh and dry shoot biomass, in relation to increase of salinity in solution, considering that these losses were marked in Chinese cabbage crop. The antioxidative defense system was activated in both evaluated species. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) increased their activity in relation to salinity increase in the solution. Watercress presented higher POD activity and was able to maintain catalase (CAT) and total phenols higher than control in most treatments, resulting in better adaptation to salt stress.


Author(s):  
Raquele M. de Lira ◽  
Ênio F. de F. e Silva ◽  
Djalma E. Simões Neto ◽  
José A. Santos Júnior ◽  
Breno L. de C. Lima ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the growth and yield of sugarcane irrigated with brackish water and leaching fractions. A completely randomized experimental design was used, in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of five irrigation water salinity levels (0.5, 2.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 dS m-1) and two leaching fractions (0 and 0.17), corresponding to 100 and 120% of the crop evapotranspiration. The irrigation management was performed daily. Irrigation water salinity levels were obtained by adding NaCl and CaCl2 to the public-supply water, in order to obtain a molar ratio between Na:Ca of 1:1. The following measurements were taken: height and stem diameter; number of tillers; number of leaves and leaf area with monthly frequency between 60 and 300 days after planting (DAP). It was concluded that irrigation water salinity negatively influenced the variables of growth and yield in the sugarcane, and the leaching fraction of 0.17 was capable of reducing the deleterious effects of the salts on the plants.


Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh, known as pigeon pea, is considered a rustic legume, high-temperature tolerant, well adapted to environments with low water availability, saline, and low fertility soils. This study aimed to evaluate the germination and vigor of Cajanus cajan seeds under conditions of salt stress and different temperatures. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with treatments distributed in a 6 x 3 factorial scheme (salinity levels and temperatures), with four replications of 50 seeds. After determining the seed water content, the seeds were placed on germitest paper moistened with sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions in concentrations of 0.0 (control); 2.0; 4.0; 6.0; 8.0 and 10.0 dS m-1; Seeds were incubated in a B.O.D, at constant temperatures of 25 and 30 °C and alternating 20-30 ºC. The germination and vigor tests (first germination count, germination speed index, length and dry mass of roots and shots) were evaluated. An interaction between the salt concentration and temperature for all variables analyzed was observed, with a negative effect on the germination and vigor of Cajanus cajan seeds as the salinity levels increased. Salt stress simulated with NaCl reduced the germination and vigor of Cajanus cajan seeds, mainly when submitted to the temperature of 25 °C. However, the increase in NaCl concentration, up to the potential 10.0 dS m-1, was not high enough to impair seed germination.


Author(s):  
Mindaugas Rimeika ◽  
Ramunė Albrektienė

The water loss levels are very different between European countries as water loss varies from 7% to 50%. According to data from the Lithuanian Water Supply Association, in 2015 about 124 mln. m³ of ground water was supplied to the network, but only 94 mln. m³ of it was sold, while the remaining share represented water losses – 30 mln. m³ per year. An average water loss level in Lithuania is 24%, varying from 52% to 17%. Local water utilities take a little care of apparent water losses. This article deals with an investigation of apparent losses in Alytus and other cities in Lithuania. The reduction of apparent water losses is quite a different field as it does not require large additional investments and can produce quick and efficient results. Article presents the results on the ways for reduction of apparent water losses in Lithuanian water supply systems. The aim of research is to show that apparent water losses consist of considerable share of water losses and to prove that inconsiderable efforts can significantly cut down water losses and improve the utilities’ financial situation. Article present findings of night water consumption, used for DMA allowed minimum water calculation. Analysing water consumption data in blockhouses the minimum night water volume was determined (0.9 l/h/flat).


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 930
Author(s):  
Gustavo Rosa ◽  
Enedir Ghisi

This study aimed to evaluate the installation of a system that combines rainwater to wash clothes and greywater to flush toilets in a house located in Florianópolis, southern Brazil. The evaluation consisted of determining the potable water savings, performing a financial analysis, and verifying the possibility of using rainwater and reusing greywater according to the local legislation. The reduction in potable water consumption was determined by comparing the monthly water and sewage bill, before and after installing the system, combining rainwater and greywater. The financial analysis was performed considering the financial benefits, operational costs, costs for installing the system, and local water tariffs. After installing the system, there was a decrease of 38.0% in the monthly potable water consumption, which represents a decrease of 7.00 m3 in the monthly potable water consumption. The payback periods for the old and new water tariffs were equivalent to, respectively, ten years and seven months, and eight years and five months. Both rainwater and greywater had parameters with concentrations higher than the limits established by the legislation. Therefore, the rainwater had to go through a device for discarding the first flush and needed disinfection; and the greywater needed to go through a treatment process. The results indicated that the system combining rainwater and greywater shows significant potential for potable water savings, which can be a good alternative to the preservation of potable water resources. It is important to note that current studies on rainwater use and greywater reuse are mainly related to non-potable purposes, but it was shown herein that rainwater can be used for washing clothes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 656-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
HAMMADY RAMALHO E SOARES ◽  
ÊNIO FARIAS DE FRANÇA E SILVA ◽  
GERÔNIMO FERREIRA DA SILVA ◽  
RAQUELE MENDES DE LIRA ◽  
RAPHAELA REVORÊDO BEZERRA

ABSTRACT Water availability in the Brazilian semiarid is restricted and often the only water source available has high salt concentrations. Hydroponics allows using these waters for production of various crops, including vegetables, however, the water salinity can cause nutritional disorders. Thus, two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse at the Department of Agricultural Engineering of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, to evaluate the effects of salinity on the mineral nutrition of crisphead lettuce, cultivar Taina, in a hydroponic system (Nutrient Film Technique), using brackish water in the nutrient solution, which was prepared by adding NaCl to the local water (0.2 dS m-1). A randomized blocks experimental design was used in both experiments. The treatments consisted of water of different salinity levels (0.2, 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2 and 5.2 dS m-1) with four replications, totaling 24 plots for each experiment. The water added to compensate for the water - depth loss due to evapotranspiration (WCET) was the brackish water of each treatment in Experiment I and the local water without modifications in Experiment II. The increase in the salinity of the water used for the nutrient solution preparation reduced the foliar phosphorus and potassium contents and increased the chloride and sodium contents, regardless of the WCET. Foliar nitrogen, calcium, magnesium and sulfur contents were not affected by increasing the water salinity used for the nutrient solution preparation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata V. Menezes ◽  
André D. Azevedo Neto ◽  
Hans R. Gheyi ◽  
Alide M. W. Cova ◽  
Hewsley H. B. Silva

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a medicinal species of Lamiaceae family, popularly known for its multiple benefits and high levels of volatile compounds. The species is considered to be one of the most essential oil producing plants. Also cultivated in Brazil as a condiment plant in home gardens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of salinity on the growth of basil in nutrient solution of Furlani and to identify variables related to the salinity tolerance in this species. The first assay was performed with variation of five saline levels (0 - control, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mM NaCl). In the second assay six genotypes were evaluated in two salinity levels 0 and 80 mM NaCl. The height, stem diameter, number of leaves, dry mass and inorganic solutes in different organs, photosynthetic pigments, absolute membrane integrity and relative water content were evaluated. All biometric variables in basil were significantly reduced by salinity. Dry matter yield and percentage of membrane integrity were the variables that best discriminated the characteristics of salinity tolerance among the studied basil genotypes. Basil genotypes showed a differentiated tolerance among the genotypes, the ‘Toscano folha de alface’ being considered as the most tolerant and ‘Gennaro de menta’ as the most sensitive, among the species studied.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
Glenn Baxter ◽  

The present study used a detailed qualitative longitudinal research approach to examine the trends of water consumption, wastewater volumes, and drainage water volumes in Oslo Airport Gardermoen, which is Norway’s major hub airport, between the years 2005 and 2020. An overall upward trend was observed in the water consumption at Oslo Airport Gardermoen, which was consistent with the growth in air traffic and aircraft movements during the study period. The annual water consumption per enplaned passenger was observed to fluctuate during the study period. While the lowest water consumption per passenger (8 liters per passenger) was recorded in 2008, the highest levels (14.6 liters per passenger) were recorded in 2020. The annual water consumption (cubic meter per aircraft movement) increased during the study period, which was consistent with the growth in aircraft movements and the use of larger aircraft. The annual wastewater volume generally increased during the study period, while the annual drainage water volume fluctuated remarkably during the study period, with the latter reflecting varying drainage patterns at the airport. Oslo Airport Gardermoen has implemented a range of sustainable water management practices to supplement its existing water management practices and policies.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Alaa Ibrahim ◽  
Jamal Elfaki

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the response of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to saline water irrigation under soilless and traditional techniques. A special fertigation technique with two different salinity levels (1 dS m-1 and 4 dS m-1) of water was used under different soilless media, namely, perlite, gravel, and pozzolana as inert media, in addition to traditional techniques. Results showed that among the three soilless substrates, perlite medium produced the highest total yields with larger fruit sizes. Furthermore, the perlite medium enabled significant savings in water, compared to gravel (-15%) and pozzolana (-20%). Moreover, the results corroborated the existing knowledge on the tolerance of tomato to brackish water irrigation, since there was no significant difference in yield of plants grown in the soil irrigated with water with salinity levels of 1.1   dSm-1 and 4-5  dS m-1. Plant biometric data revealed a better and quicker development of plants grown in the soilless media compared to those grown in the soil, even in the case of freshwater irrigation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Donato da Silva Souza ◽  
Geronimo Ferreira da Silva ◽  
Sirleide Maria de Menezes ◽  
José Edson Florentino de Morais ◽  
José Amilton Santos Júnior ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Cultivation using brackish waters can result in nutritional and metabolic imbalances in several plant species, consequently reducing the production of dry matter (DM) and accumulation of toxic ions (Na+ and/or Cl-) in plants. We evaluated the DM production, and nutrient and inorganic solute (Na+ and Cl-) content in green onion plants (cv. Todo Ano Evergreen - Nebuka) under different levels of nutrient solution salinity in combination with circulation frequencies of this solution. Two experiments were conducted in a hydroponic system, using a completely randomized design, in a 6 × 2 factorial scheme, with five replicates: six levels of nutrient solution salinity (1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5, and 9.0 dS m-1) and two solution circulation frequencies (twice and thrice a day). In Experiment I, the evapotranspired depth was replaced using brackish water that was used to prepare each of the salinity levels (used exclusively), whereas in Experiment II, brackish water was used only to prepare each of the salinity levels and public water was used (electrical conductivity [ECw] = 0.12 dS m-1) for replacement in all treatments. The increase in the nutrient solution salinity reduced the production of DM and accumulation of nutrients; the reductions were more pronounced when brackish waters were used exclusively (Experiment I). However, the circulation of solutions thrice a day resulted in the harmful effects of the salinity effect. Replacing the evapotranspirated blade with water supply (Experiment II) mitigated the deleterious effects of salinity. Moreover, three circulations of the nutrient solution daily resulted in lower accumulation of inorganic Na+ and Cl- solutes and increased accumulation of nutrients N, P, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and S in the culture.


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