Evaluation of Hydroponic Techniques on Growth and Productivity of Greenhouse Grown Bell Pepper and Strawberry

Abstract

ABSTRACT Conventional soil-based cultivation systems are not water efficient mainly due to loss by excessive irrigation, percolation, and evaporation. Soilless culture may be an alternative to soil-based cultivation. Two hydroponic techniques, i.e., nutrient film technique and A-shaped aeroponics and a closed insulated pallet system based on continuous subirrigation system with fertilizers in reservoirs to ensure a reserve within the root zone, were evaluated and compared to the conventional soil-based cultivation method (control) in Kuwait. The experiment was conducted in an acrylic covered greenhouse having an evaporative cooling system with ambient temperatures ranging from 15 to 20°C at night and 24 to 35°C during the day throughout the period from October 2005 to May 2006. Vegetative growth, flowering, and fruiting of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Yara) and strawberry (Fragaria versca L. cv. Americana Porter) were evaluated. Yields were lower in the closed systems than for the control. There were significant differences between amounts of water consumed in the soilless techniques with consumption ranging from 42.9 to 62.9% of the control for peppers and 54.3 to 79.1% for strawberry. CIPS was the most promising system for adaptation for protected agriculture because of its simplicity, recyclability of most of its components, and water conservation efficiency.