Abstract
Problem statement: Good water quality not only produces good crop yield, but also maintains environmental quality and so with plant, animal and human health. Therefore, protecting the quality of water by using non chemical materials is an emerging issue to be solved. Bakuhan seki having additional negative charge were found to have the capacity of improving condition of water while emitting important minerals essential to life. Because of high cost and scarcity of Bakuhan-seki, experiments continued to find out low cost materials. In this study, a very timely and relevant and costefficient procedure has been described for determining the potential of three minerals of Shikoku Island to improve water quality affecting growth of plants. Approach: Firstly, tap water of Kochi, Japan was treated with different mixtures of silicate minerals and then applied for the germination of Komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. nothovar) seeds. The feasibility of these treatments was investigated by measuring root and shoot length of early seedlings. Results: Treatment with Q4S1 showed the highest elongation of seedling parameters compared to other treatments. Where as results of growth tests using Komatsuna in the NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system, showed degree of leaf freshness (SPAD) and dry matter contents were higher than controls. Also amount of K and Mg was found higher in applying silicate mineral treated nutrient solution to Komatsuna plants. Conclusion: Therefore, this nutrient solution treatment system can be expected to be applicable in nutri-culture and hydroponics.
Highlights
High quality is more important than total yield in attaining competitiveness in modern horticulture
New technology for producing high quality vegetables with hydroponics can be used to improve water use efficiency, because it needs less of water compared to field cultivation for the same yield[1,2,3]
The nutritional quality of a nutrient solution is limited by water quality[4]
Summary
High quality is more important than total yield in attaining competitiveness in modern horticulture. New technology for producing high quality vegetables with hydroponics can be used to improve water use efficiency, because it needs less of water compared to field cultivation for the same yield[1,2,3]. In a nutri-culture system, the control of pH is important to plant growth. Nutri-culture system may be defined as a cultivation system of specific plants grown in nutrient solution hydroponically. Development of new technology using very small energy of minerals is important in view of ecosystem agriculture. Silicate minerals such as quartz porphyry has been distinct for their enormous porosity, high absorption capacity and have ability of emitting natural minerals contained in the stone itself[5]. Corresponding Author: Sheheli Islam, Laboratory of Biological and Environmental Systems, Faculty of Agriculture, Kochi University, Nankokushi, Monobe B200, Kochi 783-8502, Japan Tel/Fax: +81-88-864-5192
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