Application of an Alternative Nutrient Replenishment Method to Electrical Conductivity-Based Closed-Loop Soilless Cultures of Sweet Peppers

Abstract

The nutrient replenishment method primarily impacts the nutrient variations in a closed-loop soilless culture system. However, there is still a lack of systematic approaches for the effective way of nutrient replenishment. Our previous study theoretically derived and experimentally validated an alternative nutrient replenishment method expecting synchronized total fertilizer supply to total nutrient absorption by crops and lower concentration fluctuations than conventional methods. However, no individual nutrient management has been performed. The objective of this study was to apply individual nutrient management to the alternative nutrient replenishment technique under experimental- and commercial-scale electrical conductivity (EC)-based closed-loop soilless cultures. Automated nutrient solution mixing modules and sweet peppers grown on rockwool slabs were used. Nutrient concentrations and crop productivity were compared between the closed-loop system using the alternative nutrient replenishment and the conventional open-loop systems. During early treatment, rapid decreases in K+ and H2PO4− were observed in the closed-loop system. However, after the stock solution nutrient adjustment, the decreasing trend was stabilized and returned close to initial concentrations. No significant differences in sugar content, incidence of blossom-end rot, and productivity of sweet peppers were observed between the closed- and open-loop soilless cultures. We confirmed that the nutrient variation stabilizing effect of the alternative nutrient replenishment method was valid under nutrient adjustment conditions and had comparable nutrient management performance with the open-loop system.