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Vought K, Bayabil HK, Pompeo J, Crawford D, Zhang Y, Correll M, Martin-Ryals A. Dynamics of micro and macronutrients in a hydroponic nutrient film technique system under lettuce cultivation. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32316. [PMID: 38947472 PMCID: PMC11214494 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
While hydroponics is considered an efficient vegetable production system, there is a compelling need to investigate the efficiency of the current generic nutrient dosing recommendation primarily based on electrical conductivity (EC) measurements. Such information is critical to fine-tune and optimize the current hydroponic management practices for improved nutrient uptake efficiency. This study investigated the dynamics of some micro and macronutrients (N, P, Ca, Mg, K, Fe, and Mn) in a recirculating nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system under lettuce cultivation. The research was conducted in an indoor controlled environment growth chamber with lettuce grown in different EC levels (1.2 and 1.6 dS m-1). Each treatment had four hydroponic cultivation units, each one with 24 plants. Nutrient solution and tissue samples were collected two to three times per week. Nutrient dynamics, including nutrient uptake efficiencies and environmental losses, were calculated using a mass balance approach. The effects of EC level on fresh and dry lettuce biomass and nutrient uptake were insignificant. Observed variations in nutrient solution composition during lettuce cultivation included the almost complete removal of ammonia nitrogen, nitrate decreases towards the end of the experiment, consistent increases in aqueous Ca concentration, and corresponding decreases in K and Mn. Average N losses ranged between 27 and 40 %, presumably through denitrification, while 10-14 % of N was assimilated into the plant biomass. The remaining N in the recirculating nutrient solution was estimated to be between 50 and 59 %. The average P loss was 11-35 %, likely due to precipitation, while 52-77 % remained in the nutrient solution. Nutrient uptake efficiencies averaged 19-31 % K, 12-21 % P, 9-16 % Mn, 4-6 % Ca, 3-4 % Mg, and 2-4 % Fe. These results suggest that elevated nutrient concentrations in recirculating nutrient solutions led to losses and underutilization. Findings from this study provide a comprehensive dataset critical to improving hydroponic nutrient management beyond N and P. Hydroponic nutrient management should target providing essential nutrients needed by plants at the correct proportions considering the plant growth stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Vought
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida, 1741 Museum Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Haimanote K Bayabil
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, 18905 SW 280th St, Homestead, FL 33031, USA
- University of Florida Global Food Systems Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110570, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Jean Pompeo
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida, 1741 Museum Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Daniel Crawford
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida, 1741 Museum Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Ying Zhang
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida, 1741 Museum Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Melanie Correll
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida, 1741 Museum Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Ana Martin-Ryals
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida, 1741 Museum Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- University of Florida Global Food Systems Institute, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110570, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
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Impact of the Hydroponic Cropping System on Growth, Yield, and Nutrition of a Greek Sweet Onion (Allium cepa L.) Landrace. HORTICULTURAE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae7110432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Nerokremmydo of Zakynthos, a Greek landrace of sweet onion producing a large bulb, was experimentally cultivated in a glasshouse using aeroponic, floating, nutrient film technique, and aggregate systems, i.e., AER, FL, NFT, and AG, respectively. The aim of the experiment was to compare the effects of these soilless culture systems (SCSs) on plant characteristics, including fresh and dry weight, bulb geometry, water use efficiency, tissue macronutrient concentrations, and uptake concentrations (UC), i.e., uptake ratios between macronutrients and water, during the main growth, bulbing, and maturation stages, i.e., 31, 62, and 95 days after transplanting. The plants grown in FL and AG yielded 7.87 and 7.57 kg m−2, respectively, followed by those grown in AER (6.22 kg m−2), while those grown in NFT produced the lowest yield (5.20 kg m−2). The volume of nutrient solution (NS) consumed per plant averaged 16.87 L, with NFT plants recording the least consumption. The SCS affected growth rate of new roots and “root mat” density that led to corresponding nutrient uptake differences. In NFT, reduced nutrient uptake was accompanied by reduced water consumption. The SCS and growth stage strongly affected tissue N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S mineral concentrations and the respective UC. The UC of N and Κ followed a decreasing trend, while that of Mg decreased only until bulbing, and the UC of the remainder of the macronutrients increased slightly during the cropping period. The UC can be used as a sound basis to establish NS recommendations for cultivation of this sweet onion variety in closed SCSs.
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