Abstract
A concern with the greenhouse production of horticultural commodities, particularly those grown in the ground, is the difficulty in managing nutrient runoff. Alstroemeria, a heavy-feeding crop that is nearly always grown in soil, were planted into 26.5-L pots with a medium of LECA. Greenhouse experiments were designed to examine flowering stem production, quality, and nutrient flux under nutrient solution reuse (closed system) and with one of three levels of nutrition (EC of 2.1, 1.6 and 1.1 mS/cm). Plants in the closed treatments were set on troughs sloped towards separate 24-L reservoirs. The control was an open drainage system fed at 2.1 mS/cm. The reservoirs were kept at a constant volume with the addition of water after every irrigation; nutrients were added to restore the EC to demand levels. Stems were harvested twice per week and the nutrient content of the reservoirs were analyzed biweekly by ion chromatography. Data were analyzed as an RCBD with four treatments and blocks. Analysis of data from the preliminary experiment (29 May to 3 Aug. 1998) indicated number of stems and cymes were similar among treatments. Stem length, dry weight, and number of florets were depressed below the control only in lowest fed treatment. Nutrient application was reduced markedly, by up to 1000-fold in the closed vs. the open production system.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
