Aeroponic System Research Articles

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) aeroponics for quality seed production in north eastern Himalayan region of India

The study was conducted at Central Potato Research Station, Shillong during 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the performance of three potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties, viz. Kufri Megha, Kufri Himalini and Kufri Himsona in an aeroponics system installed under net cum polyhouse. All the varieties exhibited more than 90% survival with root initiation within 4-5 days of transplanting. Kufri Megha started tuber initiation within a month in both the years. Tuber initiation was late in Kufri Himalini in 2014 (60 days) as compared to 2013 (39 days). Kufri Himsona exhibited delayed tuber initiation at 69 to 75 days after transplanting in both the years. The first picking was done within 40 and 80 days after transplanting in Kufri Megha and Kufri Himsona, respectively, in both the years. First picking in Kufri Himalini was delayed by 15days in 2014 as compared to 50 days after transplanting in 2013 due to delayed tuber initiation. The crop duration of Kufri Megha was 110 and 134 days in 2013 and 2014, respectively, allowing for 8 to 9 pickings that yielded 108 to 118 g ubers/plant (38 to 42 tubers/plant) with mean mini-tuber weight of 2.91 to 2.96 g. The number of pickings reduced significantly from 11 to 5 in Kufri Himalini and 7 to 4 in Kufri Himsona from 2013 to 2014. In Kufri Himalini, delay in tuber initiation and reduction in crop duration was observed in 2014. There was a significant reduction in per plant yield in both Kufri Himalini (162 g to 102 g) and Kufri Himsona (138 g to 39.25 g) accompanied by reduction in number of tubers/plant (38 to 27 tubers in Kufri Himalini and 29 to 11 tubers in Kufri Himsona). The mean mini-tuber weight also reduced from 4.32g to 3.87g in Kufri Himalini and 5.03g to 4.13g in Kufri Himsona.

Over fertilization limits lettuce productivity because of osmotic stress

It is customary that growers apply high doses of nutrients to the soil in order to achieve high yields, with detrimental consequences for the environment; but no information exists with regards to the crop response to high fertilization levels. To evaluate the physiological response of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to various root zone nutrient concentrations (expressed as electrical conductivity, from 0.6 to 10 dS m-1), a replicated experiment was conducted using increasing concentrations of macronutrients applied to the root zone in an aeroponic system. Leaf photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured using a portable infrared gas analyzer attached with a fluorometer. Leaf nutrient content was analyzed by mass spectrometry and NO3-N was determined by flow injection analysis. Leaf photosynthetic rates increased when the solution concentration was raised from 0.6 to 4.8 dS m-1, but further increases in solution concentration did not result in any differences. The enhancement in photosynthetic rates was related to higher concentrations of N, P, Mg, and S in leaves. Leaf K content was correlated with stomatal conductance. Maximum growth was achieved with solution concentrations between 1.2 and 4.8 dS m-1 while at 10.0 dS m-1 leaf production was reduced by 30%. It is concluded that at high concentration of nutrients supplied in the root zone, yield reduces because of a combination of decreased stomatal conductance and leaf area.

Salt stress modifies apoplastic barriers in olive (Olea europaea L.): a comparison between a salt-tolerant and a salt-sensitive cultivar

Olea europaea L. (Olive tree) is a glycophytic species showing differences in salinity response depending on the genotype and the cultivar. Despite several studies have demonstrated which olive cultivars are tolerant and which are sensitive to salt stress, the role of anatomical adjustment in olive roots under salinity has not been completely clarified by scientific evidence. To address this problem one-year cuttings of olive cultivar Leccino (salt-sensitive) and Frantoio (salt-tolerant), were grown in an aeroponic system under controlled condition. Plants were sprayed (5s of spray every 15min-intervals) with the nutrient solution with and without 120mM NaCl for 40 days. Free hand section of roots were taken and stained with 0.01% Fluorol yellow 088 to allow suberin lamellae visualization under a fluorescence microscope. Moreover, Cryo-SEM and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis were used for ion localization in root cells. Both treated cultivars with Na+ showed a significant reduction in shoot length, besides that, Na+ concentration in leaves increased only in Leccino (salt-sensitive) as confirmed by translocation factor. Microscopic analyses showed that apoplastic barriers in the endodermis developed closer to the root apex in Leccino compared to Frantoio. Moreover, a significant Na+ gradient concentration from exodermis to stele tissues between genotypes and cell types has been detected and it resulted stronger in Leccino than in Frantoio. In conclusion the different apoplastic adjustments in roots play a role in reducing ion fluxes to the shoots depending on genotype and Na+ concentration.

A Low Nutrient Solution Temperature and the Application of Stress Treatments Increase Potato Mini-tubers Production in an Aeroponic System

This study was conducted to test the impact of the nutrient solution temperature and the application of different stress treatments at tuberization on several growth variables for two potato cultivars grown in an aeroponic system. At 25 days after transplanting, low pH level, wilting stress and nitrogen withdrawal under warm (24 °C) and cool (18 °C) root-zone temperatures were applied to potato plants cv. Mystere and Chieftain. Significant differences in mini-tuber production, stolon number and length and root length were observed among root zone temperatures, stress treatments and cultivars. Cooling the nutrient solution temperature to 18 °C significantly increased most growth variables and tuber yield for both cultivars. Plants subjected to nitrogen withdrawal at tuberization out-performed plants of the other treatments as well as the control and exhibited faster tuberization, higher mini-tuber number and weight as well as significantly higher root length, stolon number/plant and number of stolon branches/plant. The low pH and wilting treatments reduced plant growth and mini-tuber number/plant. They dramatically increased the number of stolon branches/plant and stolon number respectively. However, this increase did not counteract the negative effects on the other variables. The results of this study demonstrate that a judicious use of these stresses can effectively promote tuberization in aeroponics.

An Early Detection of Latent Infection of Ralstonia solanacearum on Potato Tubers

Ralstonia solanacearum is not only a soil-borne pathogen but also a seedborne bacterial pathogen. National Seed Agency require that seed-source (G0) must free from bacterial wilt infection (0%) in potato seed certification process. This study aimed to determine an early and accurately detection of Ralstonia solanacearum in potato seedsource production (G0) on aeroponics cultivation system, which previously treated with microbial antagonists and artificialy infected with Ralstonia solanacearum. Seed potatoes were obtained from the previous study. Antagonist isolates NS01, S04, G06, and NG02 were applied separately in aeroponic system in nutrient solution, then artificially infected with R. solanacearum. These four isolates is quite effective inhibite R. solanacearum infection in potato aeroponic system with the intensity attach of 5, 7, 9 and 21% respectively, compared to 100% in control. Although the symptoms of wilt disease were appeared in plants, but the seeds did not show typical symptoms. In the positive control that inoculated with R. solanacearum without antagonists, revealing immediately wilt and death of plants, 14 days after inoculation. The result of polymerace chain reaction (PCR) using OLI1 and Y2 primers on tubers without antagonist with 100% disease incidence showed, that all of the tuber have positive results indicated by the appearance of DNA bands in the size of 287 bp. From visually healthy seeds sample resulted from antagonist treatment, only few of them have positive result and mostly other tubers showed negative result. This means that the role of antagonists on suppression of wilt disease, cannot totally guarantee the tubers free from latent infection of R. solanacearum.

Genotype by Environment Effects on Potato Mini-Tuber Seed Production in an Aeroponics System

In order to evaluate the environmental effect on plant development and mini-tuber production of a diverse group of potato genotypes grown under an aeroponic system, a G × E interaction experiment was carried out in greenhouses located at CIP’s experimental stations in La Molina (Lima) and Huancayo (Junín). Five contrasting environments were set-up and evaluated. A combined Analysis of Variance was performed for the variables “days to tuber set”, “days to senescence” and “plant height”. An Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) Analysis was performed for yield variables: mini-tuber “weight” and “number of mini-tubers” per plant. There was a high variation in all the responses to the treatments. “Days to tuber set” was influenced by genetic responses, temperature and greenhouse Photosynthetically Active Radiation intensity. Considerable increases in the length of the vegetative cycle and plant height were recorded for all genotypes, and these were particularly notable in the warmer coastal environments. AMMI analysis showed that yield variables were primarily influenced by the genotypic effect followed by the genotype by environment interaction effect. The Venturana variety (T2) was the best performing genotype with a total average mini-tuber “weight” of 644 g per plant while the Chucmarina variety (T1) performed best for the variable “number of mini-tubers” with an overall average of 60.2 mini-tubers per plant. Both showed stability across different environments for these variables. The advanced clones T3 (395434.1), T5 (397077.16) and T6 (397073.16) showed stability for yield variables, but their performance was below the overall average of the trial. It is recommended that the environment and management should ideally be tailored to the genotype as this will result in significant yield gains.

Development of Droplets Penetrating Roots Performance Test Device and Tests Applied this Device in Ultrasonic Aeroponic System

Extremely flourishing roots of aeroponic plant lead droplets difficult to penetrate into the core of roots. This phenomenon is so-called “external is wet but internal is dry” and seriously affects areoponic efficiency, even result in aeroponic culture failure. In order to research droplets penetrating roots performance in ultrasonic aeroponic system, an intelligent test device was developed. This device included two ultrasonic nozzles whose working frequencies were 1.7MHz and 40kHz respectively, nozzles’ drive circuit, acquisition system of humidity and temperature based on ARM 9.0 and axial flow fan. The following conclusions were suggested: under the mature cherry tomatoes root system density cultured in aeroponic system, droplets generated by 1.7MHz ultrasonic atomizing nozzle were easier to penetrate into the core of the root; both size and concentration of droplets influenced droplets penetrating into the root; when 1.7MHz nozzle was used to atomization, the best penetrating condition was found in supply air rate 0.021and spray volume 0.4L/h; for 40kHz atomizing nozzle , the best penetrating condition was found in supply air rate 0.021and spray volume 1.2L/h; for 1.7MHz nozzle the worst work conditions of penetrating into the root were that supply air rate was 0.014and spray volume was 0.8L/h and for 40kHz nozzle that was supply air rate 0.033and spray volume 1.2L/h.

Comparison of antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content and yield of different crops grown in soil and aeroponic system

Comparison of antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content and yield of different crops grown in soil and aeroponic system

Evaluation of aeroponics for clonal propagation of Caralluma edulis, Leptadenia reticulata and Tylophora indica - three threatened medicinal Asclepiads.

The present study explores the potential of aeroponic system for clonal propagation of Caralluma edulis (Paimpa) a rare, threatened and endemic edible species, Leptadenia reticulata (Jeewanti), a threatened liana used as promoter of health and Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merill, a valuable medicinal climber. Experiments were conducted to asses the effect of exogenous auxin (naphthalene acetic acid, indole-3-butyric acid, indole-3-acetic acid) and auxin concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5gl(-1)) on various root morphological traits of cuttings in the aeroponic chamber. Amongst all the auxins tested, significant effects on the length, number and percentage of rooting was observed in IBA treated nodal cuttings. Cent per cent of the stem cuttings of C. edulis rooted if pre-treated with 2.0 gl(-1) of IBA for 5min while 97.7% of the stem cuttings of L. reticulata and 93.33% of stem cuttings of Tylophora indica rooted with pre-treatment of 3.0 gl(-1) of IBA for 5min. Presence of at least two leaves on the nodal cuttings of L. reticulata and T. indica was found to be a prerequisite for root induction. In all the species, the number of adventitious roots per cutting and the percentage of cuttings rooted aeroponically were significantly higher than the soil grown stem cuttings. Shoot growth measured in terms of shoot length was significantly higher in cuttings rooted aeroponically as compared to the cuttings rooted under soil conditions. All the plants sprouted and rooted aeroponically survived on transfer to soil. This is the first report of clonal propagation in an aeroponic system for these plants. This study suggests aeroponics as an economic method for rapid root induction and clonal propagation of these three endangered and medicinally important plants which require focused efforts on conservation and sustainable utilization.

Root systems biology.

Root systems biology.

CULTIVATION OF CHRYSANTHEMUM WITHOUT SUBSTRATE

In The Netherlands there are 700 hectares of cut flowers in soil. Recent studies have shown that mineral fertilizers used can seep into the subsoil and eventually cause high levels of nitrogen and phosphate in the surrounding environment. Therefore the goal of this experiment was to find a system for the year-round production of cut chrysanthemum in recirculating water without run-off into the subsoil. Prior to planting the unrooted cuttings of chrysanthemum ‘Euro Speedy’ were pre-treated by placing them for 4 days in a waterbed kept at 26°C, under 95% RH and 600 ppm CO2 under long day conditions in a greenhouse in The Netherlands. After rooting three batches of 2,500 rooted plants were planted in the period August 2010 to November 2011 onto three systems: Deep flow waterbed; aeroponic and peat in aluminium cassettes. The elongation of the plants during the long day period, the number of leaves, weight and length at final harvest were recorded. Additionally the composition and EC of the nutrient solution and the oxygen content of the solution were measured. The deep flow waterbed and the aeroponic systems were found to produce constant good quality stems (1 g fresh weight per cm stem). Aeration of the deep flow waterbed system gave 10% more fresh weight per stem. Water use, plant density, air and nutrient levels are evaluated in relation to the systems. The prospect for such a system in a commercial setting is discussed.

Production, storage and costs of inoculum of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation may contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture. Inoculation requires production and storage of inocula in a commercial scale, and few protocols have been developed for this purpose. AMF inocula were produced in an aeroponic system, and their infectivities were tested after storage for 3, 6, and 10 months, at room temperature (28 °C) or at 4 °C, in substrates composed of sand, sand + expanded clay, or sand + vermiculite. Sweet potato plants, previously grown in soil + sand for 90 days and mycorrhized by Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Glomus clarum, were transplanted to the aeroponic system and harvested after 120 days. The density of glomerospores of both AMF per gram of roots in the aeroponic system was much higher than per gram of soil in pots, facilitating handling and storage of the inocula. Storage at room temperature resulted in decreased infectivity of the inocula in all substrates after 6 months, while storage at 4 °C in sand + vermiculite and sand + clay maintained the viability (>59 % infectivity) even after 10 months. The costs of production to inoculate one seedling pot with C. etunicatum and with G. clarum were R$ 0.98 (US$ 0.41) and R$ 3.07 (US$ 1.30), respectively, and should be reduced in a commercial system. With an adequate infectivity (>25 %) and relatively low production costs these inocula can be recommended as biofertilizers.

Yam Propagation Using ‘Aeroponics’ Technology

Aims: To studyyam propagation and seed yam tuber production in aeroponics system. Study Design: The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design and treatments were replicated three times. Place of Study:This experiment was carried out at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Headquartersat Ibadan in Nigeria. Methodology: The experiment testedfresh vinecuttingsof five yam genotypes of two speciesinan aeroponics system. Tgenotypes ofDioscorearotundata(TDr 89/02475, TDr 89/02665 and TDr 95/18544) and two yam genotypes ofD. alata(TDa 98/01176 and TDa 291) were evaluated. Results:Vines of bothD. rotundataand D. alatarooted within 2 weeks inaeroponics system. The rooting of vine cuttingsvaried significantly among genotypes with a maximum of 98% for TDa 98/01176 and a minimum of 68% for TDr 89/02665. Mini -tubers harvested after 4 months of growth in a eroponics weighed between 0.2 and2.7g. A secondharvest 6 months later gave mini-tubers of up to 110g. Theanalysis of varianceshowed significant difference(P<0.05) among genotypes for rooting at 2 weeks after vineplanting, number of plantsurviving at 90 days after planting and percentage of plants with bulbils.The best ShortResearch Article

Assessment of total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant properties, and yield of aeroponically and conventionally grown leafy vegetables and fruit crops: a comparative study.

A comparison of the product yield, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant properties was done in different leafy vegetables/herbs (basil, chard, parsley, and red kale) and fruit crops (bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and squash) grown in aeroponic growing systems (AG) and in the field (FG). An average increase of about 19%, 8%, 65%, 21%, 53%, 35%, 7%, and 50% in the yield was recorded for basil, chard, red kale, parsley, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and squash, respectively, when grown in aeroponic systems, compared to that grown in the soil. Antioxidant properties of AG and FG crops were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DDPH) and cellular antioxidant (CAA) assays. In general, the study shows that the plants grown in the aeroponic system had a higher yield and comparable phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant properties as compared to those grown in the soil.

Determination of optimal levels of Ca and Mg for single-stemmed roses grown in closed aeroponic system

In the production of single-stemmed roses in a closed system, it is necessary to identify the optimal ranges of ions in the nutrient solution in order to determine the optimal management practices for the crop. This study was conducted to determine the optimal levels of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the nutrient solution for optimization of nutrition of single-stemmed roses grown in a closed aeroponic system. Single-stemmed roses were grown in the nutrient solution with 7 different levels each of Ca (0, 10, 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 mg·L−1) and Mg (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120, and 160 mg·L−1) for four weeks after transplanting. A sharp pH change was observed in the treatments with low levels of Ca2+ and Mg2+ during the first and second weeks after transplanting, and there was a stable variation in EC in a range of 1.3–1.8 dS·m−1 in the treatments of 40–120 mg·L−1 Ca and 10–80 mg·L−1 Mg. Contents of Ca and K contents in leaf tissue were significantly decreased by increasing Mg2+ level in the nutrient solution. Although there was an increase in the fresh weight and stem length under higher levels of Ca2+ and Mg2+, plant growth did not increase as compared to the treatments of 120 mg·L−1 Ca and 80 mg·L−1 Mg. Photosynthetic rate in the leaves of flowering shoots was the greatest in the range of 80–120 mg·L−1 Ca, and the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate had a tendency to increase along with the increase of Ca2+ concentration up to 120 mg·L−1 before distinct decrease at Ca2+ level greater than 160 mg·L−1. In Mg treatments, photosynthetic responses showed maximum values at around 40–80 mg·L−1, and began to decrease at level greater than 80 mg·L−1. Photosynthetic water use efficiency (WUE) was lower in leaves of the treatments of 160 and 200 mg·L−1 Ca, and 0 and 160 mg·L−1 Mg. Chlorophyll content in five-leaflet leaves as influenced by Mg2+ level tended to increase continuously up to 80 mg·L−1, showing a positive correlation with Mg content in the leaves. Content of anthocyanin in five-leaflet leaves was higher in the treatments with low Mg2+ levels (0 and 10 mg·L−1). Considering the nutrient and water absorption patterns, and growth characteristics of single-stemmed roses with different solution Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels, 80–120 mg·L−1 Ca and 30–80 mg·L−1 Mg seem to be appropriate for the optimization of plant nutrition in a closed production system.

Differential Growth Response and Minituber Production of Three Potato Cultivars Under Aeroponics and Greenhouse Bed Culture

We have evaluated and compared different methods and cultivars for the production of quality prebasic seed in potato. Two cultivation systems, aeroponics and greenhouse beds with a peat moss substrate, and three potato cultivars with different vegetative cycle, Agria, Monalisa and Zorba, were assayed. Plants in the aeroponic system showed increased growth and their vegetative cycle extended between 12 and 36 % compared to the plants cultivated in greenhouse beds. Flowering and tuberization dates, Absolute Growth Rates (AGR) during the period of 60 days after planting (DAP) and height presented a wide variation between cultivars. Zorba showed earlier flowering and tuberization, lower AGR and reached a minor height at 60 DAP. Instead the late season cultivar Agria showed later flowering and tuberization, presented higher AGR and reached an increased height at 60 DAP. The total tuber yield per plant was between 34 and 87 % higher in the aeroponic system, with a marked difference for the earlier cultivars Zorba and Monalisa. Tuber numbers increased between 60 and 80 %. Minituber production in aeroponics showed a better size distribution, with a reduction in the percentage of tubers smaller than 12 mm of between 33 and 86 %. In this soil-less culture system average tuber weight increased in Zorba and Monalisa over 60 % but was lower for Agria. Further studies are needed to optimize aeroponics system, which can be considered a high yield potato multiplication system, particularly for early or mid season potato cultivars that may produce best quality minitubers.

SEED POTATO PRODUCTION USING AEROPONICS SYSTEM WITH ZONE COOLING IN WET TROPICAL LOWLANDS

Conventional production of seed potatoes has some disadvantages such as low productivity, invested with high pest and diseases, longer production time, and limitation in the availability of the area with high altitude and low temperature suitable for planting potato seeds in Indonesia. Planting potatoes in wet tropical lowland is one alternative to help farmers and protect the environment. Constraints of potato cultivation in the lowland are high temperatures. High temperatures can cause stress and inhibit the initiation of the potato tubers. This problem can be solved by introducing aeroponics cultivation techniques with limited cooling (zone cooling). The purpose of this study was to develop and obtain the appropriate cooling zone temperature on seed potato production in wet tropical lowlands. Cultivation techniques used in this study were the aeroponics system with 3 cooling zones (10, 15 and 20°C) and control (room temperature). The ‘Granola’ potato seeds were used in the experiment, and were derived from tissue culture. The results showed that the cooling zone could reduce the stress on the potato roots cultivated by aeroponics in wet tropical lowlands, although burning wilt also happened due to high temperatures in the plant canopy. The highest tuber growth 60 days after planting was performed by plants subjected to the cooling zone temperature of 10°C producing as much as 108 knol/1.5 m(2). Optimization of nutritional requirements was necessary to increase the number of tubers in wet tropical lowlands. Further studies needed to control the temperature at the top of the plant to prevent the plants from burning wilt due to high temperature stress.

Aplikasi Zone Cooling pada Sistem Aeroponik Kentang Di Dataran Medium Tropika Basah

Supplies of seed potatoes in Central Java is more than 12,000 tons per year, but that can be provided only about 300 tons. From this condition, there is a large market opportunity for the provision of seed potatoes. Highland for planting potatoes in Indonesia is still limited. Therefore, the cultivation of the potato in the plains of the medium is one of the efforts to help the production of seed. The high temperature in the plains of the medium can be resolved through aeroponics system with limited cooling (zone cooling). The purpose of this study is to obtain an appropriate cooling temperature on seed potato production in medium land. Aeroponic cultivation techniques used with 3 zone cooling (15 °C, 19 °C and 24 °C) and controls. Potato varieties used in this study is Granola is from tissue culture .The results showed that the highest plant cooling obtained at day and night regions 19 °C and 24 °C at night. The highest number of leaves was obtained at 24 °C day and night. The highest number of tubers obtained at 19 °C day and night.Keywords : aeroponics, medium wet tropical climates, potato, seed, , zone coolingAbstrakKebutuhan benih kentang di Jawa Tengah lebih dari 12.000 ton per tahun, tapi baru dapat dipenuhi sekitar 300 ton. Dari kondisi ini, ada peluang pasar yang besar untuk penyediaan bibit kentang. Dataran tinggi untuk menanam kentang di Indonesia masih terbatas. Oleh karena itu, budidaya kentang di dataran medium adalah salah satu upaya untuk membantu produksi benih. Suhu tinggi di dataran medium dapat diselesaikan melalui sistem aeroponik dengan pendingin terbatas (zone cooling). Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mendapatkan suhu pendingin yang sesuai pada produksi benih kentang secara aeroponik didataran medium. Teknik budidaya aeroponik menggunakan 3 zona pendinginan (15 oC, 19 oC dan 24 oC) dan kontrol. Varietas kentang yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Granola dari kultur jaringan. Hasilpenelitian menunjukkan bahwa tinggi tanaman tertinggi diperoleh pada pendinginan siang dan malam suhu 19 °C dan pendinginan 24 °C di malam hari. Jumlah daun tertinggi diperoleh pada suhu 24 °C siang danmalam. Jumlah umbi tertinggi diperoleh pada suhu 19 °C siang dan malam.Kata kunci: aeroponik, benih kentang, dataran medium tropika basah, zone coolingDiterima: 01 Maret 2013; Disetujui: 03 Juni 2013

Performance of different potato genotypes under aeroponics system

Performance of different potato genotypes under aeroponics system

Bacterial Antagonist Isolates in Controlling Bacterial Wilt Disease of Potato (Ralstonia solanacearum) in Aeroponic Cultivation System

The growing of potato plants in aeroponics system is considered as safe and ecologically friendly for producing natural, healthy plants and crops. However, it often faces with several constraints. Infection of bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in the aeroponics cultivation system can spread rapidly through the nutrition flow and lead to plant death and crop failure. The objective of this study was to evaluate bacterial antagonist isolates belonging to Clostridium sp in reducing bacterial wilt disease of potato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in aeroponic system and its effect on increasing the weight and number of potato tubers. The results showed that of the seven treatments tested on potato aeroponic system, treatment with a combination of isolates NS01 + G06 + S06 tend to be more effective in suppression of bacterial wilt disease (85%), increase the amount of seed tubers (162.5 tubers/treatment) and increase the average of tuber weight as much as 311.25 gr/treatment. It can therefore be concluded that a combination of three isolates of Clostridium sp i.e: NS01 + G06 + S06 had some synergic activities in potato aeroponic cultivation system.