Pipe material governs biofilm development and microbial communities more than organic suspended solids in drip irrigation systems in greenhouse settings.

Optimizing hydroponic bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) production requires tailored nutrient solutions, as cultivar needs and climate conditions vary. This study therefore evaluated three globally-used nutrient solutions on three popular cultivars ('Nirvin', 'Aranko', and 'Taranto') under Iran specific climate, in a nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system. The nutrient solutions tested were the standard Hoagland solution (control), the Netherlands nutrient solution, and the USDA-recommended solution. A factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted to assess growth, physiological traits, yield, and fruit quality parameters. Results showed that both cultivar type and nutrient solution significantly affected vegetative growth, reproductive traits, photosynthetic pigments, and fruit quality. 'Aranko' generally exhibited higher biomass accumulation (30.98% SDM) and leaf area (32.17%), especially when grown with the USDA solution, which also enhanced number of fruit (81.96%) and fruit mass (6.5%) compared to Hoagland solution. 'Nirvin' showed the highest leaf relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) and chlorophyll b content, particularly under the Hoagland solution. 'Taranto' demonstrated the highest photosynthetic efficiency across all nutrient solutions. The Netherlands and USDA solutions improved dry biomass and carotenoid content compared to the control. Photosynthetic parameters such as Fv/Fm and net photosynthesis were influenced by nutrient solution and cultivar interactions. Fruit quality traits, including firmness, vitamin C content, and color indices, were also enhanced by the USDA solution. Overall, the findings indicate that 'Aranko' showed the best results in yield, with superior biomass accumulation and fruit mass, particularly under the USDA solution.

ABSTRACT Melon cultivation in various regions of the world is conditioned by water limitations. This study was developed to evaluate the potential damage to the photosynthetic structures of the F1 Caribbean Gold RZ hybrid melon cultivar grown under conditions of saline stress. The experimental carried out in a greenhouse, in the city of Recife, Pernambuco. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme with four replications. The melon plants were subjected to nutrient solutions with electrical conductivity of 2.0 or 3.5 dS m−1 applied by daily irrigation levels to maintain 55, 70, 85 and 100% soil moisture. The parameters were evaluated: dynamics of the photosynthetic surface, content of photosynthetic pigments, and chlorophyll a fluorescence, subjected to analysis of variance, using the F-test, at a probability level of 0.05. It was found that in plants exposed to 70% soil moisture, the effect of using nutrient solutions with 2.0 or 3.5 dS m−1 produced similar photosynthetic results. The proportionality adopted between the depth irrigation and nutrient apport led to characteristics of nutritional deficiency, observed as one of the causes of the reduction of photosynthetic surface and photosynthetic pigments in plants exposed to humidity levels below 70%.

Introduction Nitrogen (N) form influences the energetic and metabolic processes underlying nutrient assimilation, yet how these effects regulate sulfur (S)-driven physiological and growth responses in tropical forage grasses remains poorly understood. We investigated how contrasting NO 3 - /NH 4 + ratios interact with S supply to regulate growth, nutrient uptake and use efficiency, photosynthetic performance, oxidative stress, and antioxidant activity in Megathyrsus maximus . Methods The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replicates, arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial consisting of two N form ratios (100/0 and 70/30 NO 3 - /NH 4 + ) and three S rates (0.1, 1.0, and 2.0 mmol L –1 ). Plants were grown in pots for 38 days in a nutrient solution under controlled growth chamber conditions. Results and discussion S fertilization enhanced biomass production, N and S uptake, N use efficiency, net photosynthesis, transpiration rate, quantum efficiency of photosystem II, electron transport rate, as well as the activities of glutamine synthetase, guaiacol peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase, but only under mixed NO 3 - /NH 4 + nutrition. S use efficiency declined with increasing S concentration in nutrient solution, but was higher under mixed NO 3 - /NH 4 + nutrition than with NO 3 - alone. By contrast, plants grown solely with NO 3 - exhibited low biomass production, photosynthetic activity, nutrient use efficiency, catalase and glutathione reductase activities, and high malondialdehyde concentrations. Our findings indicate that the energetic constraints associated with an exclusive NO 3 - supply do not offset the reduced S utilization in M. maximus , which is severely restricted compared with plants receiving mixed NO 3 - /NH 4 + nutrition. These results provide new insights into managing N forms to improve S and N use efficiency in tropical grasses, thereby enhancing forage productivity and resilience in tropical pasture systems.

Selenium biofortification in soybean is one approach to addressing widespread selenium deficiency in human populations, yet the temporal dynamics of gene expression and antioxidant responses following selenium enrichment remain poorly characterized. Here, we examined the physiological and transcriptional responses of the HK88 soybean variety to selenium-enriched nutrient solution treatment, with seedlings sampled at 1, 24, and 48 h post-treatment. Total tissue selenium rose from 0.01 mg/kg at 1 h to 0.33 mg/kg at 48 h, with parallel increases in both inorganic and organic fractions, consistent with active biotransformation, though this interpretation remains to be confirmed experimentally. Antioxidant responses followed a distinct temporal pattern: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were initially lower in treated plants at 1 h relative to controls but were elevated at 24 and 48 h, while catalase (CAT) activity remained comparatively low across all time points. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were lower in selenium-treated plants at 1 h, suggesting early membrane stabilization, though this difference was no longer apparent by 48 h. RNA sequencing of 18 libraries identified 6,793 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 1 h, peaking at 13,196 (approximately 18% of the 72,513 annotated genes) at 24 h, then declining to 8,996 at 48 h. A Venn diagram analysis identified 565 DEGs shared across all three time points, comprising 196 consistently up-regulated and 369 consistently down-regulated genes. Up-regulated genes were enriched for nucleotide transmembrane transport functions, including ATP, ADP, and purine transport, with associated ABC transporter activity. Down-regulated genes were predominantly associated with primary carbon metabolism, including monosaccharide biosynthesis, gluconeogenesis, and the Calvin cycle. Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) indicated positive enrichment scores for nucleotide transport pathways at 24 and 48 h in treated plants, contrasting with negative scores in controls. Mantel tests revealed significant associations between gene set activity profiles and measured physiological traits, particularly for gene sets related to molecular function and selenium accumulation. These findings suggest that selenium biofortification in HK88 is associated with a coordinated metabolic shift, in which primary carbon fixation is reduced while nucleotide transport capacity is enhanced, supporting antioxidant defense during selenium assimilation.

Understanding the interactions between zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) is essential for optimizing plant nutrition in vegetable crops, yet species-specific responses to varying levels of these micronutrients remain poorly characterized. Therefore, this study aimed to optimize Mn and Zn concentrations in the nutrient solution for sand-culture-grown Raphanus sativus (radish) and Beta vulgaris (red beet). To this end, three levels of Mn (0.05, 2, and 4mg L⁻¹) and Zn (0.5, 5, and 10mg L⁻¹) in modified Hoagland solution applied to a sand-culture system were evaluated in terms of their effects on chlorophyll content, plant performance, and nutrient composition. Results showed that higher Zn concentrations generally enhanced chlorophyll content and tuber biomass yield in both species, with increases up to 16.4% in chlorophyll and 95.7% in yield for radish, and 12.4% in chlorophyll and 90.5% in yield for red beet at optimal Zn-Mn combinations. Red beet demonstrated consistently higher chlorophyll content and greater biomass production than radish across treatments. Micronutrient accumulation patterns revealed notable species differences, with red beet leaves accumulating substantially higher Zn (up to 188.4mg kg- 1 DW) and Cu (up to 162.8mg kg- 1 DW) compared to radish (87.5 and 11.5mg kg- 1 DW, respectively), while radish maintained higher Fe concentrations in both leaf and tuber tissues. Increasing Mn supply levels reduced Zn accumulation in both species, while high Zn concentrations generally suppressed Cu and Fe accumulation. Macronutrient distribution also displayed species-specific patterns, with red beet maintaining higher K concentration in tubers (2.8-3.8g kg- 1 DW) compared to radish (1.4-2.0g kg- 1 DW), while radish accumulated more sodium (Na) in tuber tissues. Nitrate concentrations were significantly affected by Zn-Mn interactions, with up to 6-fold differences between treatments, and high Zn generally reducing nitrate accumulation. We conclude that optimal Zn-Mn ratios are species-dependent; specifically, the combination of 10mg L⁻¹ Zn with 0.05mg L⁻¹ Mn promoted the highest tuber biomass yield and most favorable nutrient balance in both species. These results provide practical guidelines for micronutrient management in sand-culture vegetable production systems, although further validation under field conditions is warranted.

Nitrate boosts arsenic accumulation in hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata by coupling nitrogen assimilation with arsenic detoxification.

Sustainability challenges in hydroponic and aeroponic systems are primarily due to the limited use of liquid organic fertilizers (LOFs) and the suboptimal temperature conditions for plant growth. This study aims to address these issues by incorporating agrowaste-derived LOFs as an alternative nutrient source and utilizing a clay-dominant soil layer in the vertical aeroponic system to stabilize nutrient solution temperatures. The goal is to optimize both the productivity and efficiency of LOFs. Eight LOFs were developed using mustard oil cake, sugarcane, and kangkong leaves, and assessed on various parameters. Among these, formulations F6 and F4 exhibited optimal pH (4.50 and 5.0), electrical conductivity (18.20 and 18.10 dS/m), elevated levels of nitrogen (0.19% in both), phosphorus (0.017% and 0.018%), and potassium (1.10% in both). To address temperature fluctuations in the nutrient solution, a 1.5-in. layer of silty clay soil effectively stabilized nutrient temperatures, reducing variation from 30.90°C to 27.50°C in summer and from 22.63°C to 19.57°C in winter. Leafy vegetable Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica) was used in this study, where various growth and nutritional parameters were evaluated over 45 days to assess the impacts of various treatments. Plants grown with liquid organic fertilizer F4 (treatment T4) achieved a yield of 484.80 g/unit plot, which was comparable to the non-organic treatment T2 at 505.30 g/unit plot with similar nutritional quality. These findings demonstrate that agrowaste-derived LOFs can serve as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers in aeroponic systems, offering both environmental and agronomic benefits.

• Plant species strongly influence pesticide uptake and translocation behavior. • Lipophilic pesticides showed higher root accumulation than hydrophilic pesticides. • Increasing exposure decreased root accumulation but increased translocation. • Longer exposure led to higher root accumulation across all crops and compounds. • Translocation changes with longer exposure varied by plant species and pesticide. The root uptake by crops is an important process to consider when evaluating the environmental fate of plant protection products (PPPs). Bioaccumulation and mobility of PPPs largely depend on their physicochemical properties and the crop characteristics. Therefore, the hydroponic root uptake and subsequent translocation of imidacloprid, metalaxyl-M, fluopyram, and tebuconazole were investigated in maize, wheat, and soybean. Analysis via HPLC-HRMS revealed that no single crop showed consistently higher accumulation across all tested PPPs. Soybean exhibited the highest degree of root accumulation, with RCFs ranging from 4.3 to 59. Wheat exhibited the greatest propensity for translocation into the shoots, with TFs peaking at 5.9. Maize ranked intermediate in both aspects. Lipophilic PPPs generally exhibited greater bioaccumulation then hydrophilic ones, and the highest translocation has been observed in wheat and maize for metalaxyl and in soybean for imidacloprid with TFs for these compounds ranging between 3.0 and 5.9. Increasing PPP concentrations in the nutrient solution from 0.01 to 10 µM resulted in reduced root accumulation, as reflected by a decline in RCF from 3.8 to 0.61 in the most pronounced case. Conversely, acropetal transport increased over the same concentration range, with TF rising from 0.35 to 2.6 under the strongest observed response. A longer exposure time resulted in more pronounced root accumulation, while the change in acropetal transport varied and depended on the plant species and the physicochemical properties of the PPPs. These new insights highlight crop-specific uptake and translocation behavior in plants and could help to refine plant uptake models.

Partial recirculation can reduce water and fertilizer inputs in indoor strawberry production, but excessive reuse may cause ion-specific nutrient-solution drift. We compared 0%, 30%, and 50% recirculation of gross supplied water in a closed two-tier indoor aeroponic system for ‘Seolhyang’ strawberry over two cultivation years. Each treatment was evaluated as a descriptive operational comparison across the cultivation years, with no independent block-level replication within each cycle. Each recorded run represented directly measured harvest from three internal blocks (480 plants; 25 m2), converted to per-block values (160 plants; 8.33 m2). All the treatments used a stage-adjusted Yamazaki-based nutrient solution, common EC/pH targets, and a gross irrigation supply of 54.0 m3 cycle−1 for the three-block run. Return-water chemistry was analyzed biweekly. Mean yield was 71.7 kg block−1 in the non-recirculating control, 70.0 kg block−1 at 30% recirculation, and 41.7 kg block−1 at 50% recirculation, equivalent to 0.45, 0.44, and 0.26 kg plant−1. Fresh make-up water demand was 18.0, 12.6, and 9.0 m3 block−1 cycle−1, respectively. Increasing reuse depleted P and K; accumulated Ca, Mg, and Na; and narrowed K:Ca and K:(Ca+Mg) ratios. Our results establish 30% recirculation as the threshold that maximizes resource recovery without compromising yield.

Exploiting the Luminous Properties of Blue-Emitting Silicon Nanoparticles (Si-NPs) Derived from Raw Diatomite in Fungal Biosystems

Doubled haploid (DH) lines generated via the wheat × maize system represent an effective technology for accelerating wheat breeding. However, achieving low-cost, large-scale DH production remains a core technical challenge. In this study, we conducted flowering-synchronization experiments to determine the hybridization window between wheat and maize. Wheat was sown year-round in the field, while maize was planted both in the field and in high tunnels. We also evaluated a novel pollination method, four new nutrition solutions for cut-tiller culture, and a newly designed optical device for screening embryo-containing caryopses prior to embryo rescue. The results are as follows: (i) spring wheat, as well as vernalized facultative and winter wheat can be naturally grown year-round in Kunming, a plateau region in China with a mild climate. The hybridization window between wheat and maize is five months (June-October) in natural conditions, but can be extended to 10 months (April-next January) through high-tunnel maize cultivation in January-February and August-September; (ii) compared with commonly used brushing pollen pollination, the rolling pollination method increased pollination efficiency more than tenfold, and raised the haploid embryo formation frequency (EFF) by 1.9 times; (iii) one new nutrient solution (A) for cut-tiller culture performed significantly better than the currently used nutrient solution B. It achieved the highest EFF (46.39%), caryopsis setting rate (97.20%), and 1000-caryopsis weight (28.49 g) among five solutions. Solution A, without sulfurous acid and silver nitrate (both present in solution B), is also more cost-effective and environmentally friendly; (iv) pre-screening caryopses using a newly designed optical device prior to embryo rescue demonstrated a 98.6% accuracy rate and a 3.46% false-negative rate in selecting embryo-containing caryopses. This method doubles the efficiency of embryo rescue and remarkably reduces the use of sterilants and labor in mass DH production. The optimized protocols were validated from 2022 to 2024, yielding over 137,080 DH lines from 1,039 diverse wheat materials. The optimized protocol significantly improved doubled haploid production efficiency and reduced cost, providing a more efficient and cost-effective system for mass production of wheat doubled haploids via wheat × maize. It is expected that the optimized protocol for wheat DH production will be applicable in regions with similar climates.

This study evaluated methanogenic effluent combined with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) strain BSN6 as a sustainable nutrient solution for hydroponic green oak lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa L.) cultivation. A preliminary experiment assessed the NFB effects on germination, while the main experiment tested six effluent concentrations (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and20%) with and without the NFB using a completely randomized design. The 2.5% effluent combined with the NFB produced optimal growth, achieving 16.66 ± 0.95cm plant height, 25.60 ± 0.60 leaves, and 39.74 ± 3.21g fresh weight, which was comparable to commercial AB Mix fertilizer. Higher concentrations (15-20%) caused plant toxicity, with 20% + the NFB resulting in complete mortality. The NFB enhanced nitrogen availability at low concentrations but proved ineffective at higher levels. A preliminary safety assessment showed no detectable copper or chromium in lettuce tissue. This approach offers environmentally sustainable effluent management while reducing synthetic fertilizer dependence, demonstrating significant potential for integrated biogas-agriculture systems.

This study proposes salinity indices based on plant and substrate measurements to define reference thresholds for salinity management in potted crops, using Cestrum nocturnum as a model species. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with plants grown in containers and irrigated with nutrient solutions at three electrical conductivity (EC) levels (2.0, 4.5, and 7.0 dS m - ¹). Plant responses were assessed through vegetative growth, visual quality, flowering intensity, continuous stem diameter variation (maximum daily stem shrinkage, MDS), cumulative evapotranspiration (ETa), and substrate bulk EC monitored with sensors. Increasing salinity reduced vegetative growth, particularly shoot biomass, while enhancing flowering intensity at 4.5 dS m - ¹, indicating a shift from vegetative to reproductive development. The moving average of MDS (avgMDS) responded to salinity, showing both increases and decreases depending on stress intensity, and, when expressed as signal intensity (SI: control/salinity), discriminated between stress levels, establishing alert (1.10) and critical (1.38) thresholds. Salinity decreased ETa by 35% and 65% at 4.5 and 7.0 dS m - ¹, respectively, and ETa-based SI defined alert (1.20) and critical (1.55) thresholds. The hourly moving average of bulk EC (avgECb) enabled continuous assessment of salinity dynamics, minimizing the influence of substrate moisture variability. The use of avgMDS, ETa, and avgECb enables the detection and interpretation of salinity stress by integrating plant physiological responses with substrate conditions, while the combined use of two or more indices improves the robustness of the assessment, providing a quantitative framework for salinity management in potted crops.

ABSTRACT Recently, a beneficial role of iodine (I) in plant nutrition, improving fruit yield, quality and resilience to abiotic stress is suggested. These effects are observed when the concentration of I in nutrient solutions is between 1 and 10 µmol L−1. However, excessive application of I should be avoided. This exploratory study investigated natural I concentrations in irrigation water from horticultural regions across 24 countries. To investigate the relation between natural occurrence of I in different matrices, paired samples of irrigation water and 2:1 water-to-soil extracts were analyzed, as well as paired samples of water and leaves. The average I concentration in irrigation water was 0.28 ± 0.53 µmol L− 1 and the median was 0.13 µmol L−1 (n = 322). Notably, 95% of samples contained less than 1 µmol L−1, the minimum concentration in nutrient solutions to benefit crops. The 5% of samples exceeding this threshold were mostly from boreholes. I in soil solution extracts solutions was also low (median = 0.15 µmol L−1) and was not correlated to I in irrigation water. I in leaves did not reflect I availability from water or soil. Leaf I concentrations were highly variable, median: 6 µmol kg−1; range: 1–98 µmol kg−1. No relationship was found between water soluble I in the root zone and leaf I. These observations suggest that to develop recommendations about I addition in fertigation, routine and standardized testing of I in irrigation water or root zone solutions should be developed.

Currently, the escalating global problem of soil salinization severely limits the yield and quality of processing tomatoes. However, the differential responses and salt-tolerance strategies among processing tomato genotypes with different salt tolerances under salt stress remain largely elusive. Therefore, this study used salt-tolerant genotype ‘S39’ and salt-sensitive genotype ‘S37’ as materials. Seeds were sown in plug trays, and seedlings at the two-leaf-one-heart stage were transplanted into hydroponic containers filled with Hoagland nutrient solution. When seedlings reached the four-leaf-one-heart stage, they were exposed to NaCl treatments of 0 mM (control), 120 mM (Na120), and 180 mM (Na180). Plant samples were collected at 3, 6, and 9 days after treatment to determine growth parameters, physiological indices, and gene expression levels, aiming to reveal the dynamic differential responses to salt stress between the two processing tomato genotypes. The results demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of NaCl on the growth of processing tomatoes was aggravated with increasing NaCl concentration and treatment duration. The most significant difference in salt tolerance between the two genotypes was observed at 9 days under 180 mM NaCl treatment. At this sampling point, the relative salt-stress indices of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, peroxidase (POD) activity, soluble sugar content, proline content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll (a + b) in ‘S39’ were significantly higher than those in ‘S37’ by 31.55%, 53.40%, 66.70%, 65.07%, 20.80%, 15.74%, and 19.44%, respectively. In addition, Na contents in roots and stems, as well as K contents in stems and leaves, were significantly higher in ‘S39’ than in ‘S37’ by 43.40%, 8.67%, 22.08%, and 21.99%, respectively. In contrast, relative electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in ‘S37’ were 15.54% and 12.44% higher than those in ‘S39’. In addition, photosynthetic parameters, including net photosynthetic rate (Anet), stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), transpiration rate (E), and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, were more stable in ‘S39’ than in ‘S37’. In conclusion, ‘S39’ possesses stronger salt tolerance via a multi-level regulatory strategy involving an enhanced antioxidant enzyme system, elevated accumulation of osmoregulatory substances, improved mineral ion balance, and increased stability of the photosynthetic apparatus. This study provides a comprehensive multi-level analysis of the differential salt tolerance mechanisms in processing tomato genotypes with contrasting salt tolerances and lays a theoretical basis for the screening and identification of salt-tolerant germplasm in processing tomatoes.

The growing demand for high-quality horticultural produce, alongside constraints associated with conventional soil-based agriculture, has intensified interest in hydroponic systems as a sustainable alternative for crop production. Super Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.), a high-value crop known for its pungency and market appeal, presents significant potential for hydroponic cultivation. However, achieving optimal productivity depends largely on effective root zone management, particularly the interactions between growing substrates and nutrient composition. This review synthesises current knowledge on substrate–nutrient interactions in hydroponic systems and their combined effects on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of Super Habanero pepper. It critically examines the physicochemical properties of commonly used substrates, including organic and inorganic media, and evaluates their roles in regulating water retention, aeration, and nutrient availability. The review also analyses nutrient solution formulation, with emphasis on macronutrient and micronutrient balance, electrical conductivity, and pH, and how these factors influence plant physiological responses. Given the limited availability of crop-specific studies, evidence from related Capsicum species is integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding. The review highlights that substrate–nutrient interactions exert synergistic effects on nutrient uptake efficiency and overall plant performance, significantly influencing yield and fruit quality. It further discusses recent advances in hydroponic technologies, including innovative substrates and precision nutrient management strategies. Particular attention is given to the challenges and opportunities for adapting these systems in Nigeria, where hydroponic production remains underdeveloped. This review provides a framework for optimising hydroponic pepper production and offers practical insights for enhancing productivity and sustainability in Nigeria and similar environments.

Hydroponic needs assessment using qualitative interview methods: A grower perspective

Strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa ) production in controlled environments often exhibits cyclical fruiting patterns, or “flushes,” which complicate labor, resource, and market planning. This study aimed to develop a yield forecasting tool for greenhouse strawberry production using flower mapping, a technique that characterizes floral bud development through meristem dissection. Using a soilless culture system with hanging gutters, we grew a widely used cultivar Albion in a greenhouse maintained at 22.5 ± 3.1 °C daytime and 18.2 ± 2.8 °C nighttime air temperatures, 20.0 ± 3.0 mol·m −2 ·d −1 daily light integral, 16-hour photoperiod, 580 ± 207 µmol·mol −1 daytime CO 2 , and 1.0 ± 0.6 kPa. Plants were grown in a commercial strawberry substrate composed of 100% coconut coir fiber and irrigated with a nutrient solution delivered by a drip irrigation system. Plants were transplanted on 17–18 Aug 2023 and flower mapping occurred weekly on randomly sampled plants during a 19-week crop cycle from 21 Jan to 26 May 2024. We found the number of primary buds at floral developmental stage 3 (when secondary buds differentiate) exhibited a significant positive correlation with weekly fruit yield occurring 11 weeks later. In addition, we found the number of primary buds at floral developmental stages 4 and 5 (when calyx and trichomes differentiate on the floral bud, respectively) exhibited significant positive correlations with weekly yield occurring 9 weeks later. In addition, stage 11 flower buds (flowers at anthesis) showed a significant positive correlation with yield occurring 3 weeks later. The remaining developmental stages exhibited weaker correlations and were less reliable predictors of upcoming yield. In addition, a similar correlation analyses performed using fruit number per plant as the outcome variable showed consistent results with the yield-based analyses but with generally weaker correlations, indicating that fruit number may be more variable than yield. Key developmental stages 3, 4, 5, and 11 can be used for developing a methodology for forecasting near-future yield. This will help US greenhouse strawberry growers to make informed decisions about resource allocation, labor scheduling, and market planning, ultimately optimizing yield and production efficiency in controlled environment agriculture systems.

Pythium myriotylum is the causal agent of root rot and wilt disease, which can cause significant damage to lettuce in hydroponic systems. Root rot can be challenging to treat with traditional methods once it develops, often resulting in the destruction of the entire crop. Reused nutrient solutions have been reported to harbor microorganisms that may affect disease suppression. Examining how bacterial communities in recycled nutrient solutions change and trigger plant-defense genes may contribute to the reduction of Pythium root rot and provide chemical-free and cost-effective alternatives for soilless cultivation systems. Future studies focusing on specific microorganisms and their bioactive compounds will be essential for advancing biological control methods in hydroponic crop systems.