Abstract
Soilless plantations under cover constitute a significant part of horticulture. This study aimed at determining the qualitative composition of wastewater generated from the soilless cultivation of tomato under cover. This is important for managing the wastewater, which may be recirculated to allow the or employ a partial or complete recovery of minerals. Two plantations located in north-eastern Poland, which differed in the type of substratum (coconut fiber or rockwool), were studied. The generated wastewater was characterized by a low content of organic matter and a high concentration of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and salinity (EC). Over 99% of the TN was constituted by nitrates. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) changed from 50.07 to 75.82 mgO2·L−1 (greenhouse 1), and from 37.35 to 78.12 mgO2·L−1 (greenhouse 2); the content of TN changed from 403.59 to 614.89 mgN·L−1 (greenhouse 1), and from 270.00 to 577.40 mgN·L−1 (greenhouse 2); that of TP changed from 35.44 to 78.00 mgP·L−1 (greenhouse 1), and from 54.10 to 104.00 mgP·L−1 (greenhouse 2); and the EC changed from 3.53 to 6.93 mS·cm−1 (greenhouse 1), and from 4.94 to 6.94 mS·cm−1 (greenhouse 2). No statistically significant correlations were noted between TN and TP, or between TP and EC.
Highlights
In addition to providing good quality food, the solutions applied in plant production should ensure that the natural environment is protected
The drainage water generated during soilless tomato cultivation under shelter poses a serious hazardThe to the aquatic environment, andduring at the same time, their cultivation characteristics prevent theposes application of drainage water generated soilless tomato under shelter a serious hazard to the aquatic environment, and at the same time, their characteristics prevent the application of traditional biological treatment solutions
This is of importance in a situation when overflow recirculation is applied
Summary
In addition to providing good quality food, the solutions applied in plant production should ensure that the natural environment is protected. Soilless cultivations are isolated from the soil, and fertigation (fertilization and irrigation) installations have come into widespread use [1] This enables the optimization of the obtained yields, through the adjustment of the composition and amount of the nutrient medium to the current needs of crops, taking into account the weather conditions. In view of the need to ensure an optimum amount of nutrients, and to prevent the accumulation of salts in the root zone, these cultivations must be conducted using an excess of the nutrient medium This usually amounts to 25%–45%, which results in the generation of approximately 4.5 L·m−2 of drainage water with a high concentration of nutrients [2]. We are currently living in a low carbon economy, with a growing awareness of environmental protection and a strengthening of water resource-related legislation, and the need to recover nutrients from wastewater has become apparent [3]
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