Abstract
PurposeManure extracts possess great potential as alternate inorganic fertilizers. However, limited information exists on how manure influences plant growth. This study’s aim was to determine the impact of aerated manure extracts on romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia) and Russian kale (Brassica napus var. ‘Red Russian’) in hydroponic systems.MethodsChicken, cow, and turkey manure extract solutions (10, 25, and 50 g/L manure) were compared to a control (Hoagland) solution for lettuce and kale grown in an ebb and flow hydroponic system.ResultsThe aboveground dry mass of lettuce grown in a 50 g/L turkey manure extract solution was greater than that of the control. The largest aboveground wet mass for kale occurred with the control. Nutrient analyses of all manure extract solutions showed a 29%–79% higher concentration of NH4–N and higher total nitrogen than the control. Principal component analysis of the nutrient solutions identified six nutrients that should be monitored to maximize plant yield when using manure extracts in hydroponics: NO3−, NH4+, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Na.ConclusionsHealthy lettuce and kale plants were grown in turkey manure extract solution (50 g/L). However, reduced aboveground wet and dry mass were recorded for both plants in chicken and cow manure extract solutions compared to the control. NH4+ toxicity likely killed all plants grown in chicken extract (50 g/L). Apart from NH4+ and P, all nutrients were below suggested concentrations suggested for lettuce growth. A combined manure/mineral fertilizer may be necessary to optimize hydroponic solutions.
Highlights
Hydroponic plant production is a soilless agricultural practice that comprises a nutrient solution and an artificial rooting substrate to support plant growth (Kumar and Cho 2014)
The highest aboveground dry mass was recorded when grown in turkey manure extract (50 g/L) solution (1.4 ± 0.2 g), followed by lettuce grown in Hoagland solution (0.9 ± 0.0 g; α < 0.05)
When examining how chicken manure affected plant yield, data indicated that the higher the chicken manure concentration, the more detrimental effect it had on plants
Summary
Hydroponic plant production is a soilless agricultural practice that comprises a nutrient solution and an artificial rooting substrate to support plant growth (Kumar and Cho 2014). Hydroponic systems are mostly employed in greenhouses, where the environment can be controlled and plant production can occur year round (Lee and Lee 2015). The productivity per unit area of a hydroponic system is higher than that of field-grown agriculture, and growing crops in controlled environments allow for the cultivation of plants with higher and more uniform nutritional values (Surendran et al 2016; Suvo et al 2017)
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