Effects of different media on the growth and yield of Swiss chard (Beta vulgarisvar. cicla) grown in hydroponics

Abstract

Decline in the availability of suitable land and good fertile soil for vegetable production due to climate change, urbanisation and increasing population has resulted in studies to find alternative media that can be used to grow high value crops such as Swiss chard. The experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Department Greenhouses of the University of Eswatini, Luyengo Campus to determine the growth and yield of Swiss chard using different growing media. The treatments were laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated four times. The media treatments consisted of sand, sawdust and mixture of sand and vermiculite (1:1). The results showed that Swiss chard grown in sawdust performed better than those in the other growing media and gave significantly (P<0.05) higher fresh yield (227.7 g/plant), root length (25 cm/plant) and the highest chlorophyll content (48.9µmol m2). Plants grown using sand had the lowest fresh yield (58.3 g/plant), root length (11.9 cm/plant) and the chlorophyll content (17.49 µmol m2). The results showed that Swiss chard production in hydroponics using sawdust resulted in higher yields and therefore should be recommended to farmers for use. Not only is it the best in production of Swiss chard but it is also readily available at low cost and re-usable provided it is treated. Keywords: Growing media, hydroponics, Swiss chard, food and nutritional security, sustainable development goals (SDGs), climate-smart agriculture