A study on the hydroponic cultivation of Chinese cabbage for kimchi

김치용 배추의 수경재배에 관한 연구

Hydroponic cultivation is a technology of raising crops without use of soil. Generally farmers use the method of DFT(deep flow technology)to grow leafy or fruity vegetables; however, systematic and scientific researches are insufficient on this matter. This study investigated the possibility of cultivating Chinese cabbage steadily year long by using the method of DFT. Chinese cabbage was cultivated hydroponically with and without Ge addition, used to prepare kimchi, and the chemical and microbiological characteristics of kimchi were compared. The basic hydroponic cultivation condition was as follows: 30 days after seeding, the raised seeds were moved to a hydroponic bed and given underground water for 3 days so the roots grow normally Standard nutrient solution was provided and the early electric conductivity concentration was maintained between 1.5∼2.5 thickness. The temperature of the solution was maintained between 10 ∼25$^{\circ}C$ to allow the growth of Chinese cabbage. When soil-cultivated, organically cultivated and hydroponically cultivated Chinese cabbages were compared, hydroponically cultivated cabbages were smaller in size and showed less ability to build up and fold leaves into a head, but showed better quality than organically cultivated cabbages. The contents of protein and fat showed no significant differences. The contents of water. Ca, P, Fe, Vitamin A and Niacin were higher in control and Ge-added cabbages compared with soil-grown cabbage. There was no difference between soil-cultivated Chinese cabbage kimchi and hydroponically cultivated Chinese cabbage kimchi.