Optimizing product quality in soilless culture systems (SCS)

2021 ◽  
pp. 321-342
Author(s):  
Pietro Santamaria ◽  
◽  
Barbara De Lucia ◽  
Angelo Signore ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Product Quality ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Quality Profile ◽  
Technical Factors ◽  
Main Factors

In a soilless culture system (SCS), quality parameters of produce may be improved by better control of the environmental and technical factors involved. This chapter focuses on the main factors through which it is possible to influence and improve the quality profile of soilless horticultural produce. These include the composition, electrical conductivity, pH, temperature and management of the nutrient solution (NS). The chapter also discusses biofortification and harvesting methods.

scholarly journals Thermography Study of Moderate Electrical Conductivity and Nutrient Solution Distribution System Effects on Grafted Tomato Soilless Culture

HortScience ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 1508-1512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isidro Morales ◽  
Miguel Urrestarazu
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Moderate Increase ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Tomato Crop ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Four Blocks

In recent decades, salinity in the culture of tomatoes has been one of the most studied parameters. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a moderate increase in salinity, fertigation distribution, and its control using thermography on a soilless culture of grafted tomato. A tomato crop (cv. Ramyle) grafted onto tomato rootstocks (cv. Emperor) was cultivated in coir crop units at the University of Almeria from Nov. 2012 to May 2013. A plot design subdivided with four blocks was used, with salinity values of 2.0 and 2.5 dS·m−1 in the main plots and fertigation distribution systems with either one (DD1) or four (DD4) drip manifolds in the subplots. The crop productivity was measured using total crop yield, commercial value, and size. The quality parameters in the fruits were not significantly affected. Thermographies were used to aid the control of differential transpiration exerted by salinity. The difference in salinity did not significantly affect the total or commercial production. However, despite being grafted plants, there was a statistically significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) on the fruit size distribution when the electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution was increased from 2.0 to 2.5 dS·m−1, with a lower production (16%) of large fruits and an increased production of smaller fruits. The DD4 system significantly increased large tomato production (22%) compared with DD1, and the quality parameters in the fruits were not significantly affected. As a result of the improvement in tomato size, the DD4 distribution system economically offset the required higher initial expenditure compared with the DD1 system. Thermography was revealed to be a robust, simple, and quick tool for diagnosing the effect of salinity on transpiration.

The Influence of pH of Nutrient Solution On Yield and Nutritional Status of Tomato Plants Grown in Soilless Culture System

2009 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Dyśko ◽  
Waldemar Kowalczyk ◽  
stanisław Kaniszewski
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Manganese Content ◽  
Mineral Nutrient ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Tomato Plants ◽  
Influence Of Ph

The Influence of pH of Nutrient Solution On Yield and Nutritional Status of Tomato Plants Grown in Soilless Culture SystemThe aim of the studies conducted in the years 2004-2006 was determination the influence of nutrient solution of different pH on the yield and nutritional status of tomato plants grown in soilless culture in organic and inert medium. Tomato plants were grown on slabs made of shredded rye straw and on slabs of peat and rockwool. The plants were fertilized with standard nutrient solution of different pH: 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5. Nutrient solution pH and the kind of applied growing substrates were exerted significantly influence on the height of total and marketable yield of tomato cv. Blitz F1. Early yield was not depended on pH of nutrient solution and the kind of using substrates. The highest total and marketable yield was observed in tomato grown in rockwool slabs. For all the growing media, the highest yield of tomatoes was obtained after feeding the plants with the nutrient solution of pH 5.5. The kind of growing substrates and pH of nutrient solution were significantly differenced the nutritional status of tomato plants. Despite of considerable differentiation of means concentration of mineral nutrient in tomato leaves, the plant growth and development were proper. Concentration of mineral nutrients was comprised at the optimum range of nutritional status of tomato plants. The pH of nutrient solution at the range of 4.5-6.0 was not exerted significantly influence on nutritional status of tomato plants with nitrogen, potassium and magnesium. With the increase of the pH nutrient solution the average phosphorus, iron and manganese content was decreased. The higher concentration of nitrogen, calcium and magnesium was occurred in tomato plants cultivated in organic substrates than in rockwool. The phosphorus and manganese content was higher in the leaves of tomato plants grown in rockwool compared to those in the organic media. Tomato plants grown in the straw substrate contained lower concentrations of potassium and iron and more calcium in comparison to peat.

Soilless culture systems and growing media in horticulture: an overview

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Nazim S. Gruda ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Culture System ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Controlled Environments ◽  
Sustainable Materials

Soilless culture plant production presents a sector with unlimited potential for the horticulture industry. Soilless culture systems are environmentally friendly, resource-efficient, and support sustainable intensification in agriculture. Soilless culture system (SCS) crops in climate-controlled environments lead to higher crop production for the unit area and thus to a decrease in land usage in comparison to other cultivation methods. Here, we present the state-of-the-art of growing media and soilless culture and an outlook on further developments. For the future, it remains vital to identify and further develop sustainable materials, technologies and approaches, while keeping energy and production costs low and transportation distances short. The following chapters of this book provide further information and precise details, explaining step by step all these issues.

Advances in soilless culture of ornamentals

2021 ◽  
pp. 401-416
Author(s):  
Erik van Os ◽  
◽  
Arca Kromwijk ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Cut Flowers ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Liquid Discharge ◽  
Plant Grown ◽  
Disease Free ◽  
Pot Plants ◽  
Pot Plant

In the production of cut flowers and pot plants there are slow developments towards closed growing systems with recirculation of the surplus nutrient solution. In some countries, such as in The Netherlands, legislation to reduce discharges is a steering factor, as well as the advantages of a disease free start, higher potential production and quality. Crops such as rose and gerbera with less than 10 plants per m2 are now grown in completely closed growing systems and are on their way towards zero liquid discharge. Crops such as freesia, amaryllis and chrysanthemum, are still experimenting with soilless culture systems. Phalaenopsis is the most important pot plant grown in The Netherlands and is on the way towards a closed growing system. This chapter discusses the progress made, key challenges and how they are being overcome.

scholarly journals Translation of Irrigation, Drainage, and Electrical Conductivity Data in a Soilless Culture System into Plant Growth Information for the Development of an Online Indicator Related to Plant Nutritional Aspects

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1306
Author(s):  
Tae In Ahn ◽  
Jung-Seok Yang ◽  
Soo Hyun Park ◽  
Heon Woo Moon ◽  
Ju Young Lee
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Estimation Method ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
Nutritional Conditions ◽  
Management Indicators ◽  
Leaching Fraction ◽  
Irrigation Drainage

Electrical conductivity of the growing media or drainage indicates the nutritional conditions in the cultivation system. However, the nutrient uptake phenomenon has not been related well to the soilless culture system. Herein, we report on the design, theoretical analyses, and verification of a method for an online indicator related to plant nutritional aspects. Models for simulating nutrient and water transport in a porous medium were constructed for analyses of the nutrient uptake estimation method. In simulation analyses, we summarized the theoretical relationships between flow rates of total nutrients in a substrate and nutrient uptake. For concept validation, we conducted a greenhouse experiment for correlation analysis with the growth of tomato plants, conventional nutrient, and water management indicators, and developed online indicators related to plant nutritional aspects. Onsite application of the indicator showed a higher correlation with tomato yield than conventional management indicators, such as transpiration, irrigation, drainage ratio, leaching fraction, and electrical conductivity of drainage. In addition, to assess the usability of a nutrient uptake indicator as an onsite decision-making technique, data normalization was conducted. Through this, the time series responsiveness of a nutrient uptake indicator to the yield change was confirmed.

scholarly journals Theoretical and Experimental Analyses of Nutrient Control in Electrical Conductivity-Based Nutrient Recycling Soilless Culture System

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae In Ahn ◽  
Jong Hwa Shin ◽  
Jung Eek Son
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Nutrient Recycling ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Nutrient Control ◽  
Experimental Analyses ◽  
Nutrient Changes

An electrical conductivity (EC)-based closed-loop soilless culture system is practical for in-field deployment. Literature on the closed-loop soilless culture nutrient management premise the limitations in managing recycled nutrients under dynamic changes in individual nutrient uptake concentrations. However, recent systems analysis studies predicting solutions for nutrient fluctuation stabilization in EC-based closed-loop soilless culture systems suggest that the system may have a deterministic side in nutrient variation. This study aims to derive a nutrient control principle in an EC-based nutrient recycling soilless culture system by theoretical and experimental analyses. An integrated model of solutes such as K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ and water transport in growing media, automated nutrient solution preparation, and nutrient uptake was designed. In the simulation, the intrinsic characteristics of nutrient changes among open-, semi- closed-, and closed-loop soilless cultures were compared, and stochastic simulations for nutrient control were performed in the closed-loop system. Four automated irrigation modules for comparing nutrient changes among the soilless culture systems were constructed in the greenhouse. Sweet pepper plants were used in the experiment. In the experimental analysis, nutrient concentration conversion to the proportion between nutrients revealed distinctive trends of nutrient changes according to the treatment level of drainage recycling. Theoretical and experimental analyses exhibited that nutrient variations in open-, semi- closed-, and closed-loop soilless culture systems can be integrated as a function of nutrient supply to the system’s boundary areas. Furthermore, stochastic simulation analysis indicated that the nutrient ratio in the soilless culture system reveals the nutrient uptake parameter-based deterministic patterns. Thus, the nutrient ratio in the closed-loop soilless culture could be controlled by the long-term feedback of this ratio. We expect that these findings provide theoretical frameworks for systemizing nutrient management techniques in EC-based closed-loop soilless culture systems.

scholarly journals Utilization of irrigation, drainage, and electrical conductivity data for efficient use of nitrate in a soilless culture system

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae In Ahn ◽  
Soo Hyun Park ◽  
Jung-Seok Yang ◽  
Ju Young Lee
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Optimal Point ◽  
Online Systems ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
Nitrate Absorption ◽  
Nitrate Supply ◽  
Irrigation Drainage

Abstract Nitrate management in agricultural systems has mainly been established based on nitrate supply and the yield response curve. In the case of intensive fertilization systems such as soilless culture, the nitrate amount usually remains above the curve's optimal point. A surplus nutrient supply under these conditions could result in the excessive emission of chemical fertilizers. However, very few studies have developed a decision-making process for the efficient use of nitrate under the soilless culture system online. This study was conducted to develop an indicator related to the absorption of nitrate that can be applied in online systems utilizing the monitored irrigation and drainage amount data, electrical conductivity (EC), and the nitrate analysis data of irrigation and drainage. In the simulation, a stochastic change was generated for the nutrient absorption rate. The cultivation experiment verified the theoretical prediction, and a higher correlation of tomato yield with the nitrate absorption indicator was confirmed than with the nitrate supply amount. Also, the normalization of indicator and tomato yield showed dynamic time-series responses. The simulation and cultivation experiments showed that the indicator related to nitrate absorption estimated by online EC, irrigation, and drainage monitoring provides useful theoretical and experimental frameworks regarding efficient resource management decisions.

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