• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2013

This research was carried out to investigate silicon (Si) uptake levels by six potted plant species from a nutrient solution supplemented with $K_2SiO_3$. Uniform rooted plants of Dendranthema grandiflorum Ramat., Spathiphyllum patinii N.E. BR., Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Hedera helix L., Dianthus caryophyllus L., and Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. were grown in 350 mL boxes, one plant per box, containing a nutrient solution supplemented with either 0, 2.7, or 5.4 mM Si as $K_2SiO_3$. The nutrient solution in each container was adjusted to EC $1.5mS{\cdot}cm^{-1}$ and pH 5.6. The solution in each container was aerated by an 1 m-long polyethylene tube, all connected to a vacuum pump. After 15 days of cultivation in a glasshouse Si contents in the roots and shoots were measured using the colorimetric molybdate method and amount of remaining Si in the nutrient solution was measured using the ICP-AES to calculate the amount of absorption. A simple regression analysis was performed to observe the changes in Si contents in the roots and shoots as affected by concentration of Si supplied to the solution. Among the six species tested, carnation had the greatest and poinsettia the lowest tissue levels of Si concentration in the root, whereas carnation had the greatest and kalanchoe the lowest tissue levels of Si concentration in the shoot. Based on the Si content in the whole plant, Si uptake levels by poinsettia, kalanchoe, and chrysanthemum were low, whereas those by spathiphyllum were intermediate, and those of English ivy and carnation were high. These results indicated that the uptake level of Si by the plant vary depending on plant species.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2016

The measurement of total fresh weight of plants provides an essential indicator of crop growth for monitoring production. To measure fresh weight without damaging the vegetation, image-based methods have been developed, but they have limitations. In addition, the total plant fresh weight is difficult to measure directly in hydroponic cultivation systems because of the amount of nutrient solution. This study aimed to develop a real-time, precise method to measure the total fresh weight of Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Asia Heuk Romaine) with growth stage in a plant factory using a nutrient film technique. The total weight of the channel, amount of residual nutrient solution in the channel, and fresh shoot and root weights of the plants were measured every 7 days after transplanting. The initial weight of the channel during nutrient solution supply (Wi) and its weight change per second just after the nutrient solution supply stopped were also measured. When no more draining occurred, the final weight of the channel (Ws) and the amount of residual nutrient solution in the channel were measured. The time constant (${\tau}$) was calculated by considering the transient values of Wi and Ws. The relationship of Wi, Ws, ${\tau}$, and fresh weight was quantitatively analyzed. After the nutrient solution supply stopped, the change in the channel weight exponentially decreased. The nutrient solution in the channel slowly drained as the root weight in the channel increased. Large differences were observed between the actual fresh weight of the plant and the predicted value because the channel included residual nutrient solution. These differences were difficult to predict with growth stage but a model with the time constant showed the highest accuracy. The real-time fresh weight could be calculated from Wi, Ws, and ${\tau}$ with growth stage.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2022

This study aimed to determine the photosynthesis and growth characteristics of Peucedanum japonicum T. grown under aquaponics in a plant factory (AP) by comparing those grown under hydroponic cultivation system (HP). The AP system raised 30 fishes at a density of 10.6 kg·m^-3 in a 367.5 L tank, and at HP, nutrient solution was controlled with EC 1.3 dS·m^-1 and pH 6.5. The pH level ranged from 4.0 to 7.1 for the AP system and 4.0 to 7.4 for the HP system. The pH level in the AP began to decrease with an increase in nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) and lasted bellower than pH 5.5 for 15-67 DAT. It was found that ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N) continued to increase even under low pH conditions. EC was maintained at 1.3 to 1.5 dS·m^-1 in both systems. The concentration of major mineral elements in the fish tank was higher than that of the hydroponics, except for K and Mg. There was no significant difference in the photosynthesis characteristics, but the PIABS parameters were 30.4% lower in the AP compared to the HP at the 34DAT and 12.0% lower at the 74DAT. There was no significant difference in the growth characteristics, but the petiole length was 56% longer in the leaf grown under the AP system. While there was no significant difference in the fresh and dry weights of leaf and root, the leaf area ratio was 36.43% higher in the AP system. All the integrated results suggest that aquaponics is a highly-sustainable farming to safely produce food by recycling agricultural by-products, and to produce Peucedanum japonicum as much as hydroponics under a proper fish density and pH level.