Influence of three nutrient solutions on the yield and quality of leafy vegetables grown hydroponically
Source: VFD.com
BARI Lettuce-1, Green Wave and New Red Fire; two varieties of spinach viz. BARI Palongshak-1 and BARI Palongshak-2; one variety of Pak Choi named BARI Batishak-1; three varieties of mizuna, namely Late White Stem, Mustard Green and Salad Kyomizuna; one variety (unknown) of Rocket Salad and one variety (unknown) of Chard) were grown in 300-litre culture boxes through deep water culture hydroponics using Modified Cooper's Solution-1 (1.5 dS/m) (MCS-1) (full strength), Modified Cooper's Solution-2 (1.5 dS/m) (MCS-2) (full strength) and Enshi-Shoho nutrient solution (ENS) (1/2 strength) on a completely randomized design (CRD).
In general, it was evident that the overall growth performances of tested vegetables were found greater in MCS-1 than in MCS-2 and ENS. This result was followed by MCS-2 and lower growth of the tested vegetables was obtained from ENS Quality characteristics such as total soluble solids, shoot sap pH and tritratable acidity were found higher in MCS-1 followed by MCS-2.
Results also revealed that lower amount of chlorophyll pigments and carotenoid content was recorded in plants grown in MCS-2 than other two nutrient solutions. Therefore, Modified Coopers solution-1 can be used for growing leafy vegetables following deep water culture hydroponics in the winter season of Bangladesh.
Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?
Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.
What is the operator takeaway from this trial?
If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.
