Abstract
Nutrient-film technique (NFT) trials were conducted to quantify the effect of two different water-soluble hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K and 5N–5.2P–21.6K) on different cultivars of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), basil (Ocimum basilicum), and swiss chard (Beta vulgaris). Results indicated swiss chard yield was affected only by cultivars, with Fordhook Giant producing the greatest fresh weight across fertilizer treatments. For lettuce production, interaction between fertilizers and cultivars was significant. ‘Mirlo’ and ‘Rubysky’ had greater growth compared with other cultivars in both fertilizers, whereas Dragoon performed well using 5N–4.8P–21.6K, but not 5N–5.2P–21.6K. For basil, dry weight production showed a significant interaction between fertilizers and cultivars. ‘Largeleaf’ produced greater dry weight with 5N–4.8P–21.6K, whereas ‘Lemon’ produced greater dry weight with 5N–5.2P–21.6K. For nutrient concentration of leaves, the concentrations were within the recommended range for lettuce when fertilized with 5N–5.2P–21.6K. Nutrient concentrations varied by nutrient from the recommended range for basil, but there was no significant difference between fertilizers. For swiss chard, the nutrient concentrations were in the recommended range and there was no difference between fertilizers. Therefore, growers may need to use more than one type of fertilizer for different lettuce and basil cultivars for optimum production, whereas swiss chard cultivars can be selected based on yield regardless of fertilizer.
A very practical definition of “soilless culture” is the growth of nonaquatic plants with roots in a substrate without mineral soil, where plant nutrient needs are supplied with a nutrient solution. Soilless culture has various classification systems and methods, such as hydroponics, aeroponics, gravel culture, and rockwool culture (Maxwell, 1986). NFT was developed by Allen Cooper and his colleagues during the 1960s at the Glasshouse Crops Research Institute in Littlehampton, UK, and they defined it as a practice of growing plants in a shallow film of nutrient solution flowing near bare roots in a water-tight channel (Resh, 1995).
Selection of a suitable fertilizer is one of the main challenges when growing with NFT. The fertilizer used in NFT should have balanced amounts of essential elements and should not form any precipitate during its use. The plant should grow as a normal plant without facing any type of nutrient deficiency (Jones, 1982). As the nutrient solution in the NFT system recirculates, macro- and micronutrients accumulate in the nutrient solution, and some of the nutrients are depleted quickly. This necessitates frequent renewal of nutrient solution, which can lead to environmental pollution resulting from the release of mineral elements if the wastewater is not treated properly (Giuffrida et al., 2002). One of the reasons for suitable fertilizer selection in hydroponics is, in field conditions to some extent, the plant can influence nutrient availability by releasing root exudates or exploring some new soil regions by growing their roots, whereas in hydroponics, all nutrients should be provided in adequate amounts unnaturally and may vary from crop to crop (Page and Feller, 2013).
There are various hydroponic fertilizers available, but the selection varies according to crop and the system used. In most studies, self-made nutrient recipes were used for growing leafy vegetables in hydroponics, including Cooper’s, Imai’s, Massantini’s, and Hoagland’s solution (Karimaei et al., 2001; Shah and Shah, 2009). This method of preparing nutrient recipes is also known as the made-from-scratch method (Mattson and Peters, 2014). Mattson and Peters (2014) stated it is hard for small hydroponic growers to manage concentrations of nutrients while preparing their own hydroponic recipes, which has resulted in an interest in commercially prepared water-soluble fertilizers. This method is also known as the one- or two-bag approach and is suitable for hydroponic production (Mattson, and Peters, 2014; Shah, and Shah, 2009). In hydroponics, plant roots are exposed directly to the nutrient solution, whereas in soil, the conditions are different. Nutrients are not directly available to plants, and plants can influence nutrient availability (Page and Feller, 2013). Thus, if the nutrients are supplied in excess in nutrient solution, they may accumulate in the plant structure and, when consumed, may pose health risks (Cavarianni et al., 2008). In particular, if a food product high in nitrate is ingested, it is transformed into nitrite. Subsequently, nitrite, in combination with amines, may form carcinogenic compounds (Boink and Speijers, 1999).
Another challenge for NFT production of leafy greens is the selection of suitable cultivars. There are various studies that focus on the selection of cultivars for leafy greens in field environments, but the growth conditions in the field are incomparable with growth conditions of closed-environment culture using hydroponics. Thus, the cultivar ranking from the data derived from field experiments cannot be applied directly to cultivar selection for hydroponics (Molders et al., 2012). Vital and Teixeira (2002) evaluated different lettuce cultivars (Cinderella, Monica, Elizabeth, and Princess) and hydroponic fertilizers for shoot weight. They reported different performance of cultivars among various nutrient solutions, with cultivars Monica and Princess performing the best. Walters and Currey (2015) reported differences among basil cultivars and types, but not among hydroponic systems. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate different cultivars of leafy greens in hydroponics.
According to Ali et al. (2009), color is an influential trait for leafy greens because it affects preference and acceptability, and is also an indicator of antioxidant properties of leafy vegetables. Vittum (1963) concluded greenness of leafy vegetables is also an index for carotene content. Ferrante et al. (2004) also suggested that the color of leafy vegetables can be considered an indicator of antioxidant properties. Colonna et al. (2016) used chlorophyll meter readings [soil–plant analyses development (SPAD); Spectrum Technologies, Plainfield, IL] as an indicator of greenness for 10 different green leafy vegetables. They concluded that chlorophyll meter readings were affected by the light intensity at time of harvest, and recommended harvesting leafy vegetables during low light intensity. The objectives of our research were to evaluate the effect of two different commercial hydroponic fertilizers on growth and quality parameters of different cultivars of leafy greens (lettuce, basil, and swiss chard) in an NFT system.
Materials and methods
Plant material and growth conditions.
Seeds of ‘Dragoon’ romaine lettuce; ‘Mirlo’ and ‘Rex’ butterhead lettuce; ‘Panisse’ and ‘Oscarde’ oakleaf lettuce; ‘Ruby Sky’ leaf lettuce; and ‘Rainbow Chard’, ‘Barese’, and ‘Fordhook Giant’ swiss chard were obtained from Johnny’s Selected Seeds (Winslow, ME). Seeds of ‘Large Leaf’, ‘Lemon’, and ‘Sweet’ basil were obtained from W. Atlee Burpee & Co. (Warminster, PA). Seeds were sown in rockwool starter cubes (size, 1.5 cm3) with 98 cubes to a sheet (Grodan, Milton, Ontario, Canada) on 12 Feb. 2016 and were transplanted into NFT tables (Hydrocycle 4-inch Pro NFT series system; Growers Supply, Dyersville, IA) on 2 Mar. 2016 at the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Research Greenhouses in Stillwater, OK. During propagation, seedlings were shaded with 40% polyester film shadecloth (Mylar; DuPont Teijin Films, Chester, VA). When plants were moved to the NFT tables, they were not shaded. The average daily temperature, measured using a data logger (T&D Corp., Nagano, Japan), was 27.2 °C. Light was measured using the same sensor, and the daily light integral (DLI) was calculated from these data by multiplying 9339.9 lx by 54 (the standard conversion factor for sunlight to convert lux to photosynthetic photon flux density), then multiplying 172.9 µmol·m–2·s–1 by 0.0864 (standard conversion based on the total number of seconds in a day divided by 1 million) to obtain a DLI average of 14.9 mol·m–2·d–1. No nutrition was provided during propagation. The experiment was replicated three times, with additional plantings on 15 May 2016 and 25 July 2016. Each table had 10 channels measuring 4 inches wide, 2 inches deep, and 12 ft long. Channel lids had eighteen 1 3/8-inch holes spaced 8 inches on center. One plant was placed in each slot and 15 plants per cultivar per table were transplanted. The NFT channels had a slope of 2.8% (≈4 inches/12 ft) between the irrigation and drainage end, and the water flowing along this slope was collected in a tank and recirculated by a pump to the irrigation pipe.
Fertilizers.
Two NFT tables, with a nutrient reservoir of 45-gal capacity (33 × 29 × 12 inches) per table, were used and each was supplied with a single fertilizer of either 5N–4.8P–21.6K (J.R. Peters, Allentown, PA) or 5N–5.2P–21.6K (J.R. Peters). The fertilizers used in this experiment had different elemental compositions (Table 1). Calcium nitrate (Haifa North America, Altamonte Spring, FL) was used with the 5N–4.8P–21.6K and 5N–5.2P–21.6K fertilizers because it was designed to supply calcium (Ca) and a fraction of nitrogen (N) through the other bag. The N content in the other bag was supplied so that the final N concentration was obtained by the addition of N from calcium nitrate. Tap water with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.5 mS·cm–1 and a pH of 7.8 was used to prepare the nutrient solution. When tanks were at their 40-gal capacity, 147.41 g 5N–4.8P–21.6K and 5N–5.2P–21.6K, and 97.52 g calcium nitrate were added initially according to recommended rates.
Nutrients concentrations of two hydroponic fertilizers when 130 oz (3.69 kg) were dissolved in 1000 gal (3785.4 L) of water.
EC, pH, and data collection.
The EC of all the nutrient solutions was maintained at 1.5 to 2.5 dS·m–1, and the pH was maintained at 5.5 to 6.5. The pH and EC of each solution was checked and maintained every third day. The nutrient solution pH was maintained using pH up and pH down solutions (General Hydroponics, Santa Rosa, CA), whereas EC was maintained by adding water if the EC was high, and adding nutrient solution in the same proportion to both bags if the EC was less than the recommended limit.
Each plant was scanned using two different chlorophyll meters (SPAD-502, Spectrum Technologies; and atLEAF, FT Green, Wilmington, DE) at the time of harvest. For each plant, SPAD and atLEAF readings were taken from three different mature leaves from the base, middle, and top of the plant. Two plant samples from each treatment were sent for nutrient analysis after harvest. Nutrient analysis of leaf samples was analyzed by the OSU Soil, Water and Forage Analytical Laboratory in Stillwater, OK, using a nutrient analyzer (TruSpec Carbon and Nitrogen Analyzer; LECO Corp., St. Joseph, MI). Foliar analysis was compared with recommended concentrations by Hartz et al. (2007) and Uchida (2000) to determine whether plant nutrient quality was within the recommended range. At the end of the study (5 weeks after transplanting), data were collected on shoot fresh weight and dry weight (plants were cut at the base and dried for 2 d at 57 °C).
Data analysis.
The experimental design was a split-plot design with three replications over time. Factors were fertilizer (two levels) and cultivars (six levels for lettuce, three levels for basil, and three levels for swiss chard). Tests of significance were performed at the 0.05, 0.001, and 0.0001 levels. The least significance difference method was used for comparing differences between treatment means. Data analysis was generated using SAS/STAT software (version 9.4; SAS Institute, Cary, NC).
Results
Swiss chard.
No significant interaction was found between cultivar and fertilizer for swiss chard. Fresh weight, SPAD, and atLEAF were affected by cultivar, but dry weight of swiss chard was unaffected by cultivar and was pooled across fertilizers (Table 2). ‘Fordhook Giant’ had the greatest fresh weight (296.6 g), which was 128.4 g greater than ‘Barese’ and 77.6 g greater than ‘Rainbow Chard’, whereas atLEAF and SPAD reading were greater for ‘Barese’ (Table 3). SPAD and atLEAF readings of swiss chard varied, but ‘Barese’ had the greatest at 47.9 and 54.8, respectively (Table 3). For swiss chard, there was not any difference in nutrient concentrations between the fertilizers, and the nutrient concentrations were in the range recommended by Hartz et al. (2007) (data not shown). SPAD and atLEAF were not correlated with N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). In swiss chard, SPAD and atLEAF were correlated with Ca and iron (Fe).
Interaction and main effect for swiss chard (‘Fordhook Giant’, ‘Barese’, and ‘Rainbow Chard’), lettuce (‘Dragoon’, ‘Mirlo’, ‘Rubysky’, ‘Oscarde’, ‘Panisse’, and ‘Rex’), basil (‘Largeleaf’, ‘Lemon’, and ‘Sweet’), and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate).
Main effect of swiss chard cultivars pooled across fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for fresh weight and chlorophyll meters (n = 33).
Lettuce.
There was an interaction between cultivar and fertilizer for fresh weight and dry weight in lettuce. There was no interaction for atLEAF and SPAD readings in lettuce, but both were affected by cultivar when pooled across fertilizers (Table 2). For 5N–5.2P–21.6K, Mirlo had the greatest fresh weight (238.3 g), which was different from all other cultivars (Fig. 1). For 5N–4.8P–21.6K, fresh weight of ‘Mirlo’ was also the greatest (181.1 g), which was not different from fresh weight of ‘Dragoon’, ‘Panisse’, and ‘Rubysky’, but was different from ‘Oscarde’ and ‘Rex’ (Fig. 1). All cultivars, except Dragoon, had greater fresh weight with 5N–5.2P–21.6K than 5N–4.8P–21.6K. Mirlo had the greatest dry weight (17.97 g) with 5N–5.2P–21.6K, but there was no difference for dry weight among other cultivars with 5N–4.8P–21.6K (Fig. 2). ‘Rubysky’ and ‘Oscarde’ had a greater dry weight with 5N–5.2P–21.6K. There were no differences in dry weight for ‘Panisse’, ‘Rex’, and ‘Dragoon’ between fertilizers (Fig. 2). The SPAD and atLEAF readings were significantly greater for ‘Dragoon’, ‘Mirlo’, ‘Oscarde’, and ‘Rubysky’ than ‘Panisse’ and ‘Rex’ (Table 4). For lettuce, concentrations of P, K, magnesium (Mg), and copper (Cu) between the fertilizers were significantly different (Table 5). When comparing the nutrient concentrations with a recommended concentration, the nutrient concentrations for 5N–4.8P–21.6K was greater (P and Cu) or lesser (Ca) for some of nutrients (Table 5). For 5N–5.2P–21.6K, the nutrient concentrations were in the recommended limit except for Ca, which was less (Table 5). In lettuce, SPAD and atLEAF both correlated negatively to sodium (Na) concentration in the leaf.
Interactions among lettuce cultivars (Dragoon, Mirlo, Rubysky, Oscarde, Panisse, and Rex) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for fresh weight. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer. 1 g = 0.0353 oz.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among lettuce cultivars (Dragoon, Mirlo, Rubysky, Oscarde, Panisse, and Rex) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for fresh weight. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer. 1 g = 0.0353 oz.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among lettuce cultivars (Dragoon, Mirlo, Rubysky, Oscarde, Panisse, and Rex) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for fresh weight. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer. 1 g = 0.0353 oz.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among lettuce cultivars (Dragoon, Mirlo, Rubysky, Oscarde, Panisse, and Rex) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for dry weight. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer. 1 g = 0.0353 oz.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among lettuce cultivars (Dragoon, Mirlo, Rubysky, Oscarde, Panisse, and Rex) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for dry weight. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer. 1 g = 0.0353 oz.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among lettuce cultivars (Dragoon, Mirlo, Rubysky, Oscarde, Panisse, and Rex) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for dry weight. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer. 1 g = 0.0353 oz.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Main effect of lettuce cultivars pooled across fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate, and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for chlorophyll meter readings (n = 33).
Foliar nutrient concentration for lettuce in comparison with recommended nutrient level by Hartz et al. (2007) (n = 18).
Basil.
Dry weight of basil atLEAF and SPAD readings had a significant cultivar and fertilizer interaction (Table 2). For 5N–4.8P–21.6K, ‘Largeleaf’ had a greater dry weight (18.09 g) than ‘Lemon’ (13.53 g) and ‘Sweet’ (11.29 g). ‘Lemon’ had a greater dry weight (16.47 g) than ‘Largeleaf’ (11.10 g) and ‘Sweet’ (9.50 g) with 5N–5.2P–21.6K (Fig. 3). ‘Largeleaf’ produced significantly greater dry weight (18.09 g) with 5N–4.8P–21.6K than with 5N–5.2P–21.6K (11.10 g). With 5N–4.8P–21.6K and 5N–5.2P–21.6K, ‘Sweet’ showed significantly greater SPAD and atLEAF readings compared with ‘Largeleaf’ and ‘Lemon’ (Figs. 4 and 5). ‘Sweet’ had greater atLEAF (39.17) and SPAD (30.70) readings with 5N–4.8P–21.6K compared with 5N–5.2P–21.6K. For basil, there was no difference in foliar nutrient concentrations between fertilizers. Comparing with recommended foliar nutrient concentrations, the amount of N, P, Ca, zinc, and manganese (Mn) was slightly less whereas concentrations of K and Mg were greater than the recommended limit (Uchida, 2000) (Table 6). For basil, SPAD correlated negatively with Na and positively with sulfur (S) and Fe, whereas atLEAF correlated negatively to Ca (Table 7).
Interactions among basil cultivars (Largeleaf, Lemon, and Sweet) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for dry weight. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer. 1 g = 0.0353 oz.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among basil cultivars (Largeleaf, Lemon, and Sweet) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for dry weight. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer. 1 g = 0.0353 oz.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among basil cultivars (Largeleaf, Lemon, and Sweet) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for dry weight. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer. 1 g = 0.0353 oz.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among basil cultivars (Largeleaf, Lemon, and Sweet) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for soil–plant analysis development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502; Spectrum Technologies, Plainfield, IL) readings. Means with same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among basil cultivars (Largeleaf, Lemon, and Sweet) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for soil–plant analysis development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502; Spectrum Technologies, Plainfield, IL) readings. Means with same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among basil cultivars (Largeleaf, Lemon, and Sweet) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for soil–plant analysis development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502; Spectrum Technologies, Plainfield, IL) readings. Means with same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among basil cultivars (Largeleaf, Lemon, and Sweet) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for atLEAF chlorophyll meter (FT Green, Wilmington, DE) readings. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among basil cultivars (Largeleaf, Lemon, and Sweet) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for atLEAF chlorophyll meter (FT Green, Wilmington, DE) readings. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Interactions among basil cultivars (Largeleaf, Lemon, and Sweet) and hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) for atLEAF chlorophyll meter (FT Green, Wilmington, DE) readings. Means with the same lowercase letter are not significantly different by least significant difference (lsd; P ≤ 0.05) between fertilizers within cultivars. Means with the same uppercase letter are not significantly different by lsd (P ≤ 0.05) among cultivars within each fertilizer.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 29, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04178-18
Foliar nutrient concentration for basil in comparison with recommended nutrient level by Uchida (2000) (n = 9).
Significant correlations of different foliar nutrient concentration for swiss chard (‘Fordhook Giant’, ‘Barese’, and ‘Rainbow Chard’), lettuce (‘Dragoon’, ‘Mirlo’, ‘Rubysky’, ‘Oscarde’, ‘Panisse’, and ‘Rex’), and basil (‘Largeleaf’, ‘Lemon’, and ‘Sweet’) pooled across hydroponic fertilizers (5N–4.8P–21.6K + calcium nitrate and 5N–5.2P–21.6K + calcium nitrate) with chlorophyll meter readings (n = 18).
Discussion
In agreement with our study, some investigators recommended Fordhook Giant as the best cultivar for field and greenhouse production among green-leaved cultivars of swiss chard for yield in different parts of the United States (Gorman et al., 2011; Herner and Taylor, 1974; Weiss, 1983). The greater fresh weight of ‘Fordhook Giant’ may be the result of genetic characteristics such as large leaf size. Pokluda and Kuben (2002) reported a mean fresh weight of 248 g for ‘Fordhook Giant’, which was slightly less than ‘Bright Lights’. According to Maboko and Du Plooy (2008), yield of ‘Fordhook Giant’ was also affected by planting density in a closed hydroponic system. They recommended a planting density of 40 plants/m2.
For lettuce, an interaction between hydroponic solutions and cultivars was reported in previous studies. Vital and Teixeira (2002) reported an interaction between lettuce cultivars (Cinderella, Monica, Elizabeth, and Princess) and hydroponic fertilizers for shoot weight. This corresponded to our results, which showed that cultivar performance varied in different nutrient solutions, but among cultivars, Monica and Princess were best.
‘Largeleaf’ and ‘Lemon’ basil were best suited for the NFT system as a result of their morphological characteristics such as short internodes, large leaves, and high branching, which prevents lodging (Walters and Currey, 2015). This supports our results as ‘Largeleaf’ produced greater dry weight with 5N–4.8P–21.6K, whereas ‘Lemon’ produced similar dry weight with 5N–4.8P–21.6K and 5N–5.2P–21.6K (Fig. 3). In our experiment, atLEAF readings were greater than SPAD readings for all basil cultivars, but were correlated positively (Table 6), which corresponds to the findings of Dunn and Goad (2015), who noted that both sensors were correlated and had an average difference of 5.5 with a reading of atLEAF greater than SPAD in ornamental cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata).
The correlation between chlorophyll meters and N concentrations is not always clear, and no correlation has been reported in some previous studies. Altland et al. (2002) concluded SPAD readings were not a good estimate of plant N status in vinca (Catharanthus roseus). Westerveld et al. (2002) reported SPAD is not a suitable instrument for estimating leaf N content in carrot (Daucus carota) and onion (Allium sp.). Rodriguez and Miller (2000) reported limited use of SPAD for estimating leaf N concentration in st. augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum). One of the reasons behind this noncorrelation of SPAD and atLEAF with N concentration may be that chlorophyll content in some crops may differ because of a deficiency in nutrients such as Fe, S, Mg, and Mn (Masoni et al., 1996). Recently, Dunn et al. (2018) reported SPAD and atLEAF readings were affected by the presence or absence of P and K in leaves of ‘Vista Red’ salvia (Salvia splendens).
Conclusions
Based on our results, ‘Fordhook Giant’ is the greatest-producing cultivar of swiss chard on the basis of fresh weight, whereas fertilizer had no effect on swiss chard. ‘Barese’ had greater sensor readings compared with other cultivars of swiss chard, and may have greater nutritional value. For lettuce, ‘Dragoon’, ‘Mirlo’, and ‘Rubysky’ are well suited for production in NFT based on growth and color. For basil, ‘Largeleaf’ and ‘Sweet’ are recommended for 5N–4.8P–21.6K, whereas ‘Lemon’ is recommended for both 5N–4.8P–21.6K and 5N–5.2P–21.6K in hydroponics. Looking at SPAD and atLEAF data, high-yielding cultivars of all three crops had less chlorophyll content compared with low-yielding cultivars. In terms of nutrient concentration of leaves, the levels were within range for lettuce when fertilized with 5N–5.2P–21.6K; nutrient levels were a little outside the recommended ranges for basil, but there was no significant difference between fertilizers. For swiss chard, the nutrient levels were within recommended ranges and there was no difference between fertilizers. Future research should investigate other cultivars suitable for hydroponics using these fertilizers, or should evaluate other fertilizers for these cultivars.
Units
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