Dataset Information

A Targeted Management of the Nutrient Solution in a Soilless Tomato Crop According to Plant Needs.

ABSTRACT: The adoption of closed soilless systems is useful in minimizing the environmental impact of the greenhouse crops. Instead, a significant problem in closed soilless systems is represented by the accumulation of ions in the recycled nutrient solution (NS), in particular the unabsorbed or poorly absorbed ones. To overcome such problem, we: (1) studied the effect of several values of the electrical conductivity (EC) of NS in a NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system on a cherry type tomato crop, and (2) define a NS (called recovery solution), based on the concept of "uptake concentration" and transpiration-biomass ratio, that fits the real needs of the plant with respect to water and nutrients. Three levels of EC set point (SP), above which the NS was completely replaced (SP5, SP7.5, and SP10 for the EC limit of 5, 7.5, and 10 dS m(-1), respectively), were established. The SP10 treatment yield was not different from other treatments, and it allowed a better quality of the berries (for dry matter and total soluble solids) and higher environmental sustainability due to a lower discharge of total nutrients into the environment (37 and 59% with respect to SP7.5 and SP5, respectively). The recovery solution used in the second trial allowed a more punctual NS management, by adapting to the real needs of the crop. Moreover, it allowed a lesser amount of water and nutrients to be discharged into the environment and a better use of brackish water, due to a more accurate management of the EC of the NS. The targeted management, based on transpiration-biomass ratio, indicates that, in some stages of the plant cycle, the NS used can be diluted, in order to save water and nutrients. With such management a closed cycle can be realized without affecting the yield, but improving the quality of the tomato berries.

SUBMITTER: Signore A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4876364 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

A Targeted Management of the Nutrient Solution in a Soilless Tomato Crop According to Plant Needs.

Signore Angelo A Serio Francesco F Santamaria Pietro P

Frontiers in plant science 20160330

The adoption of closed soilless systems is useful in minimizing the environmental impact of the greenhouse crops. Instead, a significant problem in closed soilless systems is represented by the accumulation of ions in the recycled nutrient solution (NS), in particular the unabsorbed or poorly absorbed ones. To overcome such problem, we: (1) studied the effect of several values of the electrical conductivity (EC) of NS in a NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system on a cherry type tomato crop, and (2 ...[more]

PMID: 27242804

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundThe primary objective is to address the specific needs of plants at different growth stages by delivering precise nutrient concentrations tailored to their developmental requirements. Challenges such as uneven nutrient distribution, fluctuations in pH and electrical conductivity, and inadequate nutrient delivery pose potential hindrances to achieving optimal plant health and yield in hydroponic systems. By overcoming these challenges, the hydroponic farming community aims to enhance the accuracy of nutrient dosing, streamline automation processes, and minimize resource wastage. Hydroponics, a cultivation technique without soil, facilitates the growth of organic vegetation while concurrently minimizing water use and eliminating the necessity for pesticides. In order to achieve effective cultivation of hydroponic plants, it is essential to maintain a controlled environment that encompasses essential factors such as temperature, carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, oxygen availability, and appropriate lighting conditions. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure the provision of vital nutrients to maximize output and productivity. Due to the demanding nature of a hydroponic farmer's schedule, it is necessary to minimize the amount of time dedicated to nutrient management, as well as pH and EC adjustments.MethodsIn order to determine and deliver the proper amount of vital nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, based on the plant growth stage, we presented an automatic hydroponic nutrient estimator in this system. We noticed that the plant's nutrient consumption varies depending on its stage of growth according to plant psychology. Four peristaltic pumps with the necessary sensors are controlled by an Arduino board in the suggested system. Both filling and draining the water are done using each pump. To identify the plant stage, we apply the Plant Growth Stage Identification algorithm to encompass the seedling, vegetative, flowers, and fruit stages.ResultsThe experimental results reveal that the Growth Stage Identification algorithm obtains 97.5% accuracy for the first 5 weeks with 1,715 ppm of nutrition ingestion, identifying the vegetative state. The flowering stage is identified with 97.5% accuracy in the 6-9th week with 2,380 ppm of nutrition consumption, and the fruiting location is determined with 99.4% accuracy in the last 10-15th week with 2,730 ppm of nutrition consumption.

Project description:With the aim of defining the best management of nutrient solution (NS) in a soilless system for obtaining high quality baby-leaf rocket, the present study focuses on two wild rocket genotypes ("Nature" and "Naturelle"), grown in a greenhouse under two Southern Italy growing conditions-autumn-winter (AW) and winter-spring (WS)-using two soilless cultivation systems (SCS)-at two electrical conductivity values (EC) of NS. The SCSs used were the Floating System (FS) and Ebb and Flow System (EFS) and the EC values were 2.5 and 3.5 dS m-1 (EC2.5; EC3.5) for the AW cycle and 3.5 and 4.5 dS m-1 (EC3.5; EC4.5) for the WS cycle. The yield, bio-physical, physiological and nutritional characteristics were evaluated. Higher fresh (FY) (2.25 vs. 1.50 kg m-2) and dry (DY) (230.6 vs. 106.1 g m-2) weight yield, leaf firmness (dry matter, 104.3 vs. 83.2 g kg-1 FW; specific leaf area, 34.8 vs. 24.2 g cm-2) and antioxidant compounds (vitamin C, 239.0 vs. 152.7 mg kg-1 FW; total phenols, 997 vs. 450 mg GAE mg kg-1 FW; total glucosinulates-GLSs, 1,078.8 vs. 405.7 mg kg-1 DW; total antioxidant capacity-TAC, 11,534 vs. 8,637 μmol eq trolox kg-1 FW) and lower nitrates (1,470 vs. 3,460 mg kg-1 FW) were obtained under WS conditions. The seasonal differences were evident on the GLS profile: some aliphatic GLSs (gluconapoleiferin, glucobrassicanapin) and indolic 4-OH-glucobrassicin were only expressed in WS conditions, while indolic glucobrassicin was only detected in the AW period. Compared with EFS, FS improved leaf firmness, visual quality, antioxidant content (TAC, +11.6%) and reduced nitrate leaf accumulation (-37%). "Naturelle" performed better than "Nature" in terms of yield, visual quality and nutritional profile, with differences more evident under less favorable climatic conditions and when the cultivars were grown in FS. Compared to EC2.5, the EC3.5 treatment did not affect DY while enhancing firmness, visual quality, and antioxidant compounds (TAC, +8%), and reducing the nitrate content (-47%). The EC4.5 treatment reduced FY and DY and the antioxidant content. Despite seasonal climatic condition variability, FS and the moderate salinity level of NS (3.5 dS m-1) can be suggested as optimum.

Dataset Information

A Targeted Management of the Nutrient Solution in a Soilless Tomato Crop According to Plant Needs.

Publications

A Targeted Management of the Nutrient Solution in a Soilless Tomato Crop According to Plant Needs.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets