scholarly journals Growth Rate and Nutrient Uptake of Basil in Small-scale Hydroponics

HortScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 507-514
Author(s):  
Elisa Solis-Toapanta ◽  
Paul Fisher ◽  
Celina Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Hydroponic Systems ◽  
Over Time

To identify practices that may simplify the use of small-scale hydroponic systems for indoor gardening, we compared two nutrient solution management treatments for basil (Ocimum basilicum) production. Experiments were conducted for 8 weeks to evaluate the effect of biweekly replacement of the nutrient solution (W) vs. biweekly fertilizer addition without nutrient solution replacement (W/O) on growth and nutrient uptake of basil ‘Genovese Compact’ grown in either a greenhouse or an indoor environment. Greenhouse day/night temperature was 29/24 ± 4 °C, relative humidity (RH) was 65 ± 4%, and daily light integral (DLI) was 26.1 mol·m‒2·d‒1. The indoor environment had a constant ambient temperature of 21 °C, RH of 65%, and DLI of 9 mol·m‒2·d‒1 provided by broadband white lamps. Four plants were grown in 7.6-L replicate hydroponic systems, with 178 mg·L‒1 N from a complete nutrient solution in two experimental runs. Shoot fresh and dry mass, leaf number, and leaf area showed an increasing quadratic trend over time when plants were grown in the greenhouse. In contrast, growth over time was linear for plants grown indoors. Within each environment, solution management treatment did not affect growth, indicating that the simpler W/O strategy was adequate under these conditions. Plants grown in the greenhouse required more frequent refill water applications compared with indoors, which resulted in three to four times more refill water applied. Because indoor-grown plants had a decreased growth rate, nutrient uptake rate, and volume of water applied compared with plants grown in the greenhouse, electrical conductivity (EC) for the W/O treatment increased over time. Final nutrient solution concentration was highest for indoor-grown plants under the W/O treatment, and final tissue nutrient concentration was higher for plants grown indoors compared with the greenhouse. Final nutrient uptake (dry mass × nutrient concentration) was higher for plants grown in the greenhouse rather than indoors. Considering that EC increased in the solution of indoor-grown plants under W/O, an appropriate strategy using this treatment would require reducing fertilizer input indoors. To refine simple and robust fertilizer management strategies for indoor gardeners, further research is needed to test variables such as different plant species, cultivars, and water qualities.

scholarly journals Effects of Nutrient Solution Management and Environment on Tomato in Small-scale Hydroponics

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 697-705
Author(s):  
Elisa Solis-Toapanta ◽  
Paul R. Fisher ◽  
Celina Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Night Temperature ◽  
Home Gardening ◽  
Blossom End Rot ◽  
Hydroponic Systems ◽  
Over Time

Interest in hydroponic home gardening has increased in recent years. However, research is lacking on minimum inputs required to consistently produce fresh produce using small-scale hydroponic systems for noncommercial purposes. Our objectives were to 1) evaluate the effect of biweekly nutrient solution replacements (W) vs. biweekly fertilizer addition without a nutrient solution replacement (W/O) on final growth, yield, and nutrient uptake of hydroponic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants grown in a greenhouse, and 2) characterize growth over time in a greenhouse or an indoor environment using W. For each environment, ‘Bush Goliath’ tomato plants were grown for 12 weeks in 6.5-gal hydroponic systems. The experiment was replicated twice over time. In the greenhouse, plants were exposed to the following day/night temperature, relative humidity (RH), and daily light integral (DLI) in 2018 (mean ± SD): 31 ± 6/22 ± 2 °C, 67% ± 8%, and 32.4 ± 7 mol·m‒2·d‒1; and in 2019: 28 ± 6/22 ± 3 °C, 68% ± 5%, and 27.7 ± 6 mol·m‒2·d‒1. For both experimental runs indoors, the day/night temperature, RH, and DLI were 21 ± 2 °C, 60% ± 4%, and 20 ± 2 mol·m‒2·d‒1 provided by broadband white light-emitting diode lamps. The W/O treatment resulted in a higher-than-desired electrical conductivity (EC) and total nutrient concentration by the end of the experiment. In addition, compared with the W treatment, W/O resulted in less leaf area, more shoot growth, less water uptake, and similar fruit number—but increased blossom-end-rot incidence, delayed fruit ripening, and lower fruit fresh weight. Nonetheless, the final concentration of all nutrients was almost completely depleted at week 12 under W, suggesting that the applied fertilizer concentration could be increased as fruiting occurs. Surprisingly, shoot biomass, leaf area, and leaf number followed a linear trend over time in both environments. Nonetheless, given the higher DLI and temperature, greenhouse-grown plants produced 4 to 5 kg more of fruit than those grown indoors, but fruit from plants grown indoors were unaffected by blossom-end-rot. Our findings indicate that recommendations for nutrient solution management strategies should consider specific crop needs, growing environments, and production goals by home gardeners.

scholarly journals Nutrient Uptake in Poinsettia during Different Stages of Physiological Development

1997 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 565-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian E. Whipker ◽  
P. Allen Hammer
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Plant Nutrient ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Fertilization Rates ◽  
Total Plant ◽  
Plant Nutrient Content

`Supjibi' poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.) were grown hydroponically for 15 weeks in nutrient solutions with 100-15-100, 200-30-200, or 300-46-300 (in mg·L-1 of N-P-K) to determine nutrient uptake patterns and accumulation rates. Results indicate that increasing fertilization rates from 100 to 300 mg·L-1 of N and K did not significantly influence the plant dry mass or the nutrient concentration of P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn in poinsettias. NH4-N concentration in the leaves, stems, and roots were lowest with the 100-mg·L-1 N fertilization rate and increased as the N application rate increased to 200 and 300 mg·L-1. Leaf P concentration levels from 1 week after potting through anthesis were above 1.3%, which exceeds the recommended level of 0.9%. When the plant tissue dry mass for each fertilizer rate was transformed by the natural log and multiplied by the mean tissue nutrient concentration of each fertilizer rate, there were no significant differences among the three fertilization rates when the total plant nutrient content was modeled for N, P, or K. Increasing the fertilizer application rate above 100 mg·L-1 N and K and 15 mg·L-1 P decreased total plant content of Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn and increased the total plant Fe content. The results of the weekly nutrient uptake based on the total plant nutrient content in this study suggests that weekly fertilization rates should increase over time from potting until anthesis. Rates (in mg) that increase from 23 to 57 for N (with 33% of the total N supplied in the NH4-N form), 9 to 18.5 for P, 19 to 57 for K, 6 to 15 for Ca, and 3 to 8 for Mg can be applied without leaching to poinsettias and produce adequate growth in the northern United States.

scholarly journals PEG-8000 Alters Morphology and Nutrient Concentration of Hydroponic Impatiens

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1768-1772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Burnett ◽  
Marc van Iersel ◽  
Paul Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Foliar Tissue ◽  
Impatiens Walleriana ◽  
Peg 8000

Osmotic compounds, such as polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG-8000), reduce plant elongation by imposing controlled drought. However, the effects of PEG-8000 on nutrient uptake are unknown. Impatiens `Dazzler Pink' (Impatiens walleriana Hook. F.) were grown hydroponically in modified Hoagland solutions containing 0, 10, 17.5, 25, 32.5, 40, 47.5, 55, or 62.5 g·L–1 PEG-8000. Impatiens were up to 68% shorter than control plants when grown with PEG-8000 in the nutrient solution. Plants treated with PEG-8000 rates above 25 g·L–1 were either damaged or similar in size to seedlings treated with 25 g·L–1 of PEG-8000. Impatiens leaf water potentials (Ψw) were positively correlated with plant height. PEG-8000 reduced the electrical conductivity of Hoagland solutions as much as 40% compared to nontreated Hoagland solutions, suggesting that PEG-8000 may bind some of the nutrient ions in solution. Foliar tissue of PEG-treated impatiens contained significantly less nitrogen, calcium, zinc, and copper, but significantly more phosphorus and nickel than tissue from nontreated impatiens. However, no nutrient deficiency symptoms were induced.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Variability in Two Cassin’s Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) Colonies Using Spline-based Nonparametric Models

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-85
Author(s):  
Dean Koch
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Coefficient Of Variation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Regression Spline ◽  
Ecological Variability ◽  
Nonparametric Models ◽  
Cassin's Auklet ◽  
Ptychoramphus Aleuticus ◽  
Over Time

While variability in the reproductive performance of a population over time is a familiar and useful concept to ecologists, it can be difficult to capture mathematically. Commonly used ecological variability statistics, such as the standard deviation of the logarithm and coefficient of variation, discard the time-ordering of observations and consider only the unordered response variable values. We used a relatively new methodology, the cubic regression spline (a flexible curve fitted to a scatterplot of data), both to illustrate trends in reproductive performance over time and to explore the utility of the cubic regression spline roughness penalty (J) as a statistic for measuring variability while retaining time-ordering information. We concluded that although J measures variability in a mathematical sense, it can be inappropriate in a population ecology context because of sensitivity to small-scale fluctuations. To illustrate our methodology, we used the CRS approach in an analysis of historical data from two Cassin’s Auklet colonies located on Frederick and Triangle Islands in coastal BC, developing a model for the annual mean nestling growth rate on each island over seven contiguous years. Model selection indicated a complex (nonlinear) trend in growth rate on both islands. We report higher variability in the resident bird population of Triangle Island than Frederick Island, based on a comparison of the fitted curves, and the values of the coefficient of variation and population variability summary statistics.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Form Affects pH and EC of Whole Pine Tree Substrate and Growth of Petunia

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-219
Author(s):  
Anthony L. Witcher ◽  
Glenn B. Fain ◽  
Eugene K. Blythe ◽  
Cecil T. Pounders
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Nitrogen Form ◽  
Pine Tree ◽  
Air Space ◽  
Ph Range ◽  
Nitrogen Treatments ◽  
Substrate Ph ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Wood-based substrates are potential alternatives or amendments to traditional peat-based and pine bark substrates. Undesirable changes in substrate pH may result from the application of supplemental fertilizer required by some crops grown in wood-based substrates. Experiments were conducted to evaluate petunia growth and substrate pH in response to nitrogen (N) treatments applied as a nutrient solution to whole pine tree (WPT) and peat-lite (PL) substrates. Nitrogen treatments were applied as 100% ammonium (NH4+ N), 100% nitrate (NO3−N), or a combination of both in various proportions. The pH range of WPT substrate widened considerably over time among the N treatments, while a change in substrate pH was minimal for PL substrate during the same period. Generally, 100% NO3−N and 100% NH4+ N resulted in the highest and lowest substrate pH, respectively, regardless of substrate. Greater shoot dry mass was obtained in PL substrates compared with WPT substrates. Maximum shoot dry mass and flower count with ‘Celebrity Rose’ petunia were obtained with the mixed N-form treatments in both substrates. Greater substrate air space and total porosity was associated with WPT substrates compared with PL substrates, the latter having greater container capacity.

scholarly journals Growth Analysis and Nutrient Solution Management of a Soil-Less Tomato Crop in a Mediterranean Environment

Data ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Angelo Signore ◽  
Francesco Serio ◽  
Pietro Santamaria
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Tomato Plant ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Growth Analysis ◽  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Plant Tissues ◽  
Mediterranean Environment ◽  
Tomato Crop ◽  
Northern European

The data contained in this article are strictly related to our previous article titled “A Targeted Management of the Nutrient Solution in a Soilless Tomato Crop According to Plant Needs” (Signore, A. et al. 2016). The detailed datasets regards the amount of dry matter (Table 1), the nutrient solution consumption (Table 2) and the mineral composition of plant tissues (Tables 3–7) in a soil-less tomato crop. The information contained in this article are necessary since, unlike the northern European countries, such data are generally missing for the crops in the Mediterranean environment. By correlating the parameters reported above, we were able to provide a more precise management of the nutrient solution, by providing the correct nutrient concentration into the nutrient solution in function of (i) the volume of water absorbed, (ii) the growth rate and (iii) the nutrient concentration in tomato plant. Finally, the more precise management of the nutrient solution allowed discharging a lesser amount of water and nutrients into the environment, improving the sustainability of the crop.

scholarly journals Producing Nitrate-free Endive Heads: Effect of Nitrogen Form on Growth, Yield, and Ion Composition of Endive

1997 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Santamaria ◽  
Antonio Elia
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Fresh Mass ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
The European Union ◽  
N Accumulation ◽  
Total N

In a growth chamber, endive (Cichorium endivia L. var. crispum Hegi) plants were grown using a solution culture method to evaluate the influence of four ammonium : nitrate (NH4-N : NO3-N) percentage ratios (100:0, 70:30, 30:70, and 0:100) on growth (leaf area, dry mass, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, and net assimilation rate), yield characteristics (head and root fresh mass and root length), quality (dry matter, nitrogen, and nitrate), and inorganic ion content. No symptoms of NH4+ toxicity were detected in endive plants 8 weeks after beginning nutrient treatments. Moreover, by feeding N in mixed form, the growth indices increased compared to indices from feeding with any of the two N forms alone. Ammonium-fed plants produced nitrate-free heads with a fresh mass (171 g) similar to nitrate-fed plants. Compared to the other treatments, the heads of NH4+-fed plants were darker green and more succulent. Mixed N improved yield but caused a remarkable accumulation of nitrate in heads. Following an increase in NO3-N from 30% to 70% in the nutrient solution, head fresh mass rose from 196 to 231 g and NO3- concentration more than doubled (from 2.4 to 6.1 g·kg-1 fresh mass). With 100% of NO3-N, NO3- concentration was 5.5 g·kg-1 fresh mass. With higher NO3-N percentages in the nutrient solution, the difference in the concentration of inorganic cations and anions increased, but K+ concentration was also high in ammonium-fed plants (on average 77 g·kg-1 dry mass). Head total N accumulation was increased by the presence of NH4+ in the nutrient solution and decreased with 100% NO3-N. From the commercial viewpoint, the produce obtained from 100% NH4-N was good, with the value-added factor of the absence of nitrate. This may be an extremely remarkable factor because of the commercial limits on the allowable nitrate content in leafy vegetables already enforced by many European countries and those the European Union is going to adopt in a directive.

scholarly journals Relative Humidity and Nutrient Concentration Affect Nutrient Uptake and Growth of Begonia × hiemalis

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 524-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans R. Gislerød ◽  
Leiv M. Mortensen
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Solution Concentration ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Flower Buds

Young plants of Begonia × hiemalis Fotsch `Schwabenland Red' were grown for 10 weeks at 60% ± 5% or 90% ± 5% relative humidity (RH) in growth rooms. Plants were watered with three nutrient solution concentrations (1, 2, and 4 mS·cm-1). Transpiration of the plants was 56% lower at the high RH level, while the concentration of the nutrient solution had less effect (10% to 20%). Plant dry weight, height, width, and leaf size were significantly higher at the higher RH. Dry weight, height, width, and leaf size of the plants were higher in the 2 mS·cm-1 than in the 1 mS·cm-1 solution when grown at high RH, but not at a lower RH. A further increase of the nutrient solution concentration either had no effect or was detrimental. The higher RH decreased the concentration of N, P, and K in leaves and stems of plants, but an increase in the concentration of the nutrient solution increased the concentration of N, P, K, and Ca in both leaves and stems. At termination of the experiment, the number of flowers and flower buds and percent of flowering plants was higher at 90% RH than at 60% RH. These values also were higher at the higher nutrient solution concentrations. Time of anthesis was not affected.

A continuous nutrient flow technique for comparative studies in plant nutrition

1962 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
CS Andrew ◽  
WHJ Pieters
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Plant Nutrition ◽  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Compressed Air ◽  
Plant Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Flow ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
The Individual

A continuous nutrient flow technique for comparative studies of plant nutrient uptake is described. In this technique the nutrient solution enters a common mixing bowl before passing to the separate containers that are used for each batch or species of plants. The solution is continuously transferred through the individual containers by compressed air or pump at rates approximating 24 l./hr/container, and the nutrient concentration can be maintained within 5-10% of requirement by the introduction of fresh solution via the mixing bowl. The apparatus ensures uniformity of nutrient concentration and is equally adaptable to low and high concentrations.

scholarly journals Production of rocket under salt stress in hydroponic systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cléoma G Jesus ◽  
Fernando J Silva Júnior ◽  
Terezinha R Camara ◽  
Ênio FF Silva ◽  
Lilia Willadino
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Proline Content ◽  
Defense System ◽  
Hydroponic System ◽  
Nutrient Film Technique ◽  
Salt Addition ◽  
Electrical Conductivities ◽  
Hydroponic Systems

ABSTRACT: Salinity is one of the most limiting abiotic stresses in crop production worldwide. In this study, two rocket cultivars (Cultivada and Folha Larga) were grown in hydroponic system (nutrient film technique) under six treatments. The control comprised a nutrient solution without salt addition, and the other treatments contained different NaCl concentrations in the nutrient solution, resulting in the following electrical conductivities: 1.8, 3.8, 5.8, 7.8, 9.7 and 11.8 dS/m. The experimental design was completely randomized (6x2) with six levels of salt and two rockets cultivars, with four replicates per treatment. Increasing salinity reduced the fresh and dry mass of the leaves, roots, and the protein content, but the proline content was increased. The enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) increased with salinity. The activity of CAT and PPO of cv. Folha Larga was higher than of cv. Cultivada and coincided with a greater production of biomass in leaves and roots, showing the effectiveness of the antioxidative defense system in maintaining the growth of genotypes under increasing salinity of the solution.

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