Plant propagation for successful hydroponic production<sup>©</sup>

Kim, H.-J.; Yang, Ta‐Hui; Lin, Meng; Langenhoven, Petrus

doi:10.17660/actahortic.2018.1212.22

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Seeds were purchased from a commercial source (Johnny's Selected Seeds, Winslow, ME, USA) and sown in Agrifoam soilless plugs (SteadyGROWpro, Syndicate Sales, Kokomo, IN, USA) with few days interval to ensure uniform seedling size at the time of transplanting. Seeds were initially imbibed with tap water, followed by gradually increasing to a half-strength fertilizer solution once germinated and full-strength fertilizer after seedlings develop true leaves [25]. The fertilizer was irrigated as necessary with a combination of two water-soluble fertilizers (3:1 mixture of 15N-2.2P-12.5K Cal-Mag Special and 21N-2.2P-16.6K Multi-Purpose fertilizers, respectively; Everris NA, Dublin, OH, USA).…”

Section: Plant and Fish Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing Nutrient Composition and Concentration in Tomato-, Basil-, and Lettuce-Based Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems

Yang

Kim

2020

Water

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Aquaponic nutrient studies often use various types of water containing high levels of mineral nutrients for water supply, making it difficult to accurately determine deficient nutrients limiting crop yield and quality across the systems. To avoid interference with background nutrients, we used reverse osmosis water in this study. The objectives were to identify critical nutrients that affect the yield and quality of cherry tomato-, basil-, and lettuce by characterizing nutrient composition and concentration in aquaponic systems in comparison to hydroponic systems. Daily release rate (mg L−1) of macronutrients derived from fish feed (41% protein, 1.1% phosphorus, 1% fish weight) was in decreasing order of SO4–S (16) > PO4–P (2.4) > NO3–N (1.0) > K (0.8) > Cl (0.5) > NH4–N (0.4) > Ca (0.2) > NO2–N (0.13) > Na (0.11) > Mg (0.02), in which daily inputs of Mg and Ca in aquaponics were found to be only 1–2% and 4–6%, respectively, of those in hydroponics. Subsequently, the average concentrations of all nutrients were significantly lower in aquaponics than in hydroponics during a 3-month production except for Cl, NH4–N, NO2–N, and Na. The concentration of Mg remained below 5 mg L−1 in all aquaponic systems, while the concentration of Ca rapidly decreased in tomato-based aquaponics, especially during fruiting. SPAD value (chlorophyll content) was associated with concentrations of leaf N, Mg, and/or Ca. Specifically, lower SPAD value was correlated with lower leaf Mg and Ca for tomato and lower leaf Mg for basil but neither Mg nor Ca for lettuce. The aquaponic solution contained nearly six-times higher Na than the hydroponic solution, resulting in three-times higher Na concentration in the edible portion of the crops. Compared to a lettuce-based aquaponic system, tomato- and basil-based systems retained more desirable water quality parameters (i.e., stable pH, lower temperature), had lower electrical conductivity (EC) via greater biomass production and, therefore, more efficient nutrient removal, and had lower feed conversion rate and higher fish biomass increment. Regardless of crop species, vegetative shoot biomass was significantly reduced in aquaponics than in hydroponics. However, the marketable yield of tomatoes was similar between aquaponics and hydroponics, while those of basil and lettuce were reduced in aquaponics by 56% and 67%, respectively, in comparison to hydroponics. Our results highlighted potential solutions to design proper nutrient management practices essential for the development of successful aquaponic production systems. Considering that ingested fish feed does not provide sufficient levels of Mg and/or Ca for crop production, it is suggested to supplement Mg before crop transplanting and Ca before fruiting of fruity crops to improve crop growth and quality in aquaponic systems, especially when high-quality water is used for water supply.

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Section: Plant and Fish Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing Nutrient Composition and Concentration in Tomato-, Basil-, and Lettuce-Based Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems

Yang

Kim

2020

Water

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“…Seeds were purchased from a commercial source (Johnny's Selected Seeds, Winslow, ME, USA) and sown in agrifoam (Syndicate Sales, Inc., Kokomo, IN, USA) trays with intervals of few days to standardize seedling size at the time of transplanting (Table S1). Seeds were initially imbibed with tap water, followed by a half-strength fertilizer solution once germinated, and full-strength fertilizer after seedlings developed true leaves [23]. The seedlings were irrigated as necessary with a combination of two water-soluble fertilizers (3:1 mixture of 15N-2.2P-12.5K Cal-Mag Special and 21N-2.2P-16.6K Multi-Purpose fertilizers, respectively; Everris NA, Dublin, OH, USA).…”

Section: Plant and Fish Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Hydraulic Loading Rate on Spatial and Temporal Water Quality Characteristics and Crop Growth and Yield in Aquaponic Systems

Yang

Kim

2020

Horticulturae

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Aquaponics is a rapidly growing food-production system integrating aquaculture and hydroponic crop production through an energy-intensive water recirculation process. Crop performance and yield in aquaponics are affected by essential and toxic nutrient levels in the root zone, which can be regulated by water flow rate. This study was conducted to examine the effects of hydraulic loading rate (HLR) on water quality and crop growth and yield in recirculating aquaponic systems set at three different loading rates: high (3.3 m 3 /m 2 /day; HFR, which is 12 times lower than recommended loading rate), medium (2.2 m 3 /m 2 /day; MFR), and low (1.1 m 3 /m 2 /day; LFR). Crop species varying in growth rate were examined for their optimal HLR: fast-growing Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa); medium-growing mustard (Brassica juncea) and chia (Salvia hispanica); and slow-growing basil (Ocimum basilicum) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris). Compared to LFR, HFR decreased water and leaf temperatures and total ammonium nitrogen (TAN) but increased dissolved oxygen and pH in aquaponic solution up to one and two weeks after transplant, respectively. HFR increased NO 3 -N concentration by 50 and 80%, respectively, compared to MFR and LFR, while reducing the exposure duration of roots to ammonia (NH 3 -N) and its peak concentration through rapid dissipation of the toxic compound. Lower electrical conductivity (EC) in HFR during the last two weeks of production was associated with higher plant nutrient uptake and greater biomass production. The leaf greenness, photosynthetic rate (Pn), and total plant N were significantly higher at HFR than LFR. Fish growth rate, fresh weight, and feed-conversion efficiency were also increased by HFR. The growth of fast-growing crops including total fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, leaf area, and Pn was not different between HFR and MFR, while HLR had less significant effects on the growth and performance (i.e., shoot fresh weight and whole plant photosynthesis) of slow-growing crops. In conclusion, the flow rate is an important component in aquaponic crop production as it affects spatial and temporal water characteristics and subsequently determines the growth and yield of the crops. HLR at 3.3 m 3 /m 2 /day was sufficient across the crops allowing better chemical and physical properties of the aquaponic solution for maximum yield and quality. HLR should be maintained at least at 2.2 m 3 /m 2 /day for the production of fast-growing crops but can be lowered for slow-growing crops.

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“…Seeds of geranium (Ball Horticulture, West Chicago, IL, USA) and coleus (Burpee Seed Co., Warminster, PA, USA) were purchased from commercial sources and sown in cell plug trays (each cell: 2.5 × 2.5 × 4 cm) filled with a commercial germination mix (Conrad Fafard, Agawam, MA, USA). Each tray was covered with a clear plastic dome and provided with bottom heat to maintain substrate temperatures in the range of 22 to 24 • C and placed in a climate room under 150 µmol/m 2 /s using full-spectrum LEDs (320-W "VYPRx", Fluence Bioengineering, Inc., Austin, TX, USA) for 18 h/day and irrigated as described by Kim et al (2018) [28]. The air temperatures of the climate room were 21 ± 1 • C day/18 ± 1 • C night, and relative humidity were in ranges of 45% to 64%, respectively.…”

Section: Plant Growth and Culture Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Light Systems Inc., Beamsville, ON, Canada) for 16 h photoperiod (9:00 to 1:00 h) until the first three to four leaves were formed. The seeds were initially imbibed with tap water followed by a half-strength fertilizer solution and full-strength fertilizer after seedlings developed true leaves [28]. The seedlings were irrigated as necessary with a combination of two water-soluble fertilizers (3:1 mixture of 15N-2.2P-12.5K Cal-Mag Special and 21N-2.2P-16.6K Multi-Purpose fertilizers, respectively; Everris NA Inc., Dublin, OH, USA).…”

Section: Plant Growth and Culture Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass and Phosphorus Accumulation and Partitioning of Geranium and Coleus in Response to Phosphorus Availability and Growth Phase

et al. 2019

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This study was conducted to examine plant biomass and phosphorus (P) accumulation and partitioning in response P availability and to determine the optimal P concentration during growth phases of two plant species with contrasting growth characteristics: geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum Bailey) “Bullseye Scarlet”, a flowering plant, and coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd) “Chocolate Mint”, a foliage plant. Plants were grown in inert media (1:1 mixture of perlite and vermiculite) with complete nutrient solutions containing a range of P concentrations considered low (3 and 5 mg/L), intermediate (10 and 15 mg/L), and high (20 and 30 mg/L). Higher P rates logarithmically increased shoot and root dry mass of geranium and coleus plants regardless of the growth phase, but linearly enhanced flower dry mass of reproductive geranium plants resulting from the accelerated flower development. During the vegetative phase, the intermediate-P increased the shoot biomass production of geranium plants, but high-P was more effective for coleus plants. During the reproductive phase, however, the intermediate-P increased shoot biomass production of both geranium and coleus plants to the level achieved by high-P. The change from vegetative to reproductive phase increased the relative biomass to flowers, roots, and shoots of reproductive geranium plants and roots and shoots of reproductive coleus plants in decreasing orders, resulting in an increased root-to-shoot ratio. The P content of all plant parts showed a logarithmical increase with higher P rates for reproductive geranium plants but a linear increase for reproductive coleus plants. During the reproductive phase, a higher proportion of acquired P was allocated to flowers of low-P geranium plants than the roots of high-P coleus. Our results demonstrate that geranium plants require intermediate-P throughout the growth phases, while coleus plants require high-P during the vegetative phase and intermediate-P during the reproductive phase. P-use efficiency (PUE) ranged from 5 to 15% in high-P, which was improved with intermediate-P by 36 to 70%. To further improve PUE, the application method also needs to be taken into consideration such that the fertigation volume is reduced during the vegetative phase and increased before the reproductive phase.

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Plant propagation for successful hydroponic production^©

Cited by 14 publications

References 3 publications

Characterizing Nutrient Composition and Concentration in Tomato-, Basil-, and Lettuce-Based Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems

Characterizing Nutrient Composition and Concentration in Tomato-, Basil-, and Lettuce-Based Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems

Effects of Hydraulic Loading Rate on Spatial and Temporal Water Quality Characteristics and Crop Growth and Yield in Aquaponic Systems

Biomass and Phosphorus Accumulation and Partitioning of Geranium and Coleus in Response to Phosphorus Availability and Growth Phase

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Plant propagation for successful hydroponic production©

Cited by 14 publications

References 3 publications

Characterizing Nutrient Composition and Concentration in Tomato-, Basil-, and Lettuce-Based Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems

Characterizing Nutrient Composition and Concentration in Tomato-, Basil-, and Lettuce-Based Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems

Effects of Hydraulic Loading Rate on Spatial and Temporal Water Quality Characteristics and Crop Growth and Yield in Aquaponic Systems

Biomass and Phosphorus Accumulation and Partitioning of Geranium and Coleus in Response to Phosphorus Availability and Growth Phase

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Plant propagation for successful hydroponic production^©