• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.29-35
• /
• 2011

Individual ion concentrations and ionic contributions to EC reading in the circulated nutrient solution are the important factors to be considered for stable EC-based closed-loop soilless culture. This study was conducted to determine appropriate ion-analysis intervals of the circulated nutrient solutions based on ion concentration, ion balance, and ion electrical conductivity under different renewal intervals in EC-based nutrient control systems for sweet peppers (Capsicum annum L. 'Fiesta') in early growth stage. Average node numbers of the plants were 13 and 18 when the experiment started and finished, respectively, and three plants were grown in each rockwool slab. Four different renewal intervals of circulated nutrient solutions such as 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks were used as treatment. Nutrient solutions were supplied to the plants based on integrated radiation. Drainage was collected into drain tanks after irrigation ended in the day and then mixed with fresh water until the EC reaches 2.69 $dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. The replenished nutrient solution was supplied to the plants in the next day. Ion concentrations of the individual ions periodically analyzed in the circulated nutrient solutions showed no significant differences among the treatments during the experimental period. Ion concentrations of $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, $Na^+$, $NO_3{^-}$, ${SO_4}^{2-}$, ${PO_4}^{3-}$, and $Cl^-$ varied within 5-8, 11-14, 2.0-2.7, 0.5-0.6, 14-19, 4-5, 1-4, and 0.3-0.5 $meq{\cdot}L^{-1}$, respectively. Ion balance showed a consistent tendency over all the treatments and especially $K^+$ : $Ca^{2+}$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$ : ${PO_4}^{3-}$ played great roles in the cation and anion balances in the nutrient solutions, respectively. Activity coefficients of ions such as $K^+$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $H_2PO_4{^-}$ varied within 0.8-0.9 and those of $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, ${SO_4}^{2-}$ varied within 0.5-0.6, showing little changes with time. Ionic contributions of $K^+$ and $NO_3{^-}$ to EC reading were the greatest followed by $Ca^{2+}$, ${SO_4}^{2-}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ in the order. From the results, we thought that allowable ranges in ion concentration, ion balance, and subsequent individual ionic contributions to EC reading would be obtained within 4-week renewal interval of nutrient solution in EC-based closed-loop soilless culture for sweet pepper plants.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.385-391
• /
• 2013

In this study, the availability of slurry composting and biofiltration (SCB) solution as an alternative for synthetic nutrient solution was determined by monitoring the growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Unicon'). Treatments for nutrient solution were consist of SCB 1/2N, 1N, 2N, and commercial nutrient solution 1N (CNS 1N) based on nitrogen concentration (218.32 $mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) of cherry tomato nutrient solution (control 1N). All nutrient solution including SCB solution (440~520 mL per day) was supplied to rock wool medium using a timer. After 31 days of transplanting, fresh and dry weights of shoots, leaf area, plant height, stem diameter, SPAD value and number of node were measured. After measuring growth characteristics of tomato plants, total fruit yield, ratio of marketable fruit yield, fruit weight, total soluble solids content, total acidity, total phenolic concentration, and antioxidant capacity were determined once a week for 7 weeks. As a result, among the SCB treatments, SCB 1/2N was similar to control 1N and CNS 1N in terms of fresh and dry weights of shoots, leaf area, stem diameter, number of node, and SPAD value. Increased N concentration of SCB inhibited the growth of tomato plants. Total fruit yield of SCB 1/2N was 47% of that of control 1N which showed the best result. Percentage of marketable fruit yield in SCB 1/2N was about 58%. Soluble solids contents, total acidity, total phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity was the highest in SCB 2N and the other treatments were not shown any difference. Blossom-end rot rarely occurred in control 1N and CNS 1N while SCB treatments without Ca induced the physiological disorder of 7~19%. In conclusion, SCB 1/2N was good for the vegetative growth of cherry tomato plants but reduced yield and quality of fruit compared with control 1N and CNS 1N. Thus, it is possible to apply SCB solution to grow cherry tomato plants hydroponically but in the consideration of fruits yield and quality additional supply of several minerals would be required.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.119-128
• /
• 2008

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of concentrated pig slurry using membrane filter on growth of tomato in nutriculture. Pig slurry was filtered by ultra filtration and concentrated by reverse osmosis process. Filtration of pig slurry was necessary to prevent the hose clogging in nutriculture. The concentrated pig slurry (CS) and nutrient solution (NS) were mixed by six different mixing ratios of 0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40%, 80: 20 and 100%:0% based on nitrogen content. The chemical nutrient solution was the solution of National Horticulture Research Station for the growth of tomato. The concentration of nutrient solution was adjusted a range of $1.6{\sim}2.0mS/cm$ in EC. The plant height of tomato treated with CS 20+NS 80% was similar with NS 100% control plot. Plant height was highest in the plot of CS 20+NS 80%. The treatment of 100% concentrated pig slurry was lowest in the gowth characteristics of tomato. Number of cluster was very lower in 100% concentrated pig slurry compared with plot of chemical nutrient solution. In the beginning of growth stage, SPAD reading value was reduced in plot treated with CS 100%, but CS 20+NS 80% plot was higher compared to 100% concentrated pig slurry. SPAD value of tomato leaves was decreased as the amount of CS was increased. The SPAD value also in treatment of concentrated pig slurry was lower in the middle growth stage compared to control plot. The dry weight of stem and leaf were 107.4, 104.2g in plot of NS 100% and CS 20%+NS 80%, respectively. The fruit number and weight were decreased at high application plots of concentrated pig slurry, The fruit setting of tomato showed lowest in the plot treated with 100% concentrated pig slurry, and the growth of tomato severely decreased after application of 100% CS treatment. In conclusion, the growth characteristics such as plant height and fruit weight of tomato were not significantly different between the plots treated with mixture of 20% CS +80%NS and 100% nutrient solution treatment. In conclusion, the mixture solution of 20% of concentrated pig slurry and 80% of nutrient solution could be used as a nutrition solution of tomato nuticulture.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.13-20
• /
• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate influence of short-term application of abscisic acid (ABA) in nutrient solution on growth and drought tolerance of tomato seedlings. The treatments included four ABA concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, $3mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) and control (non-treatment) were applied to the nutrient solution in a hydroponic system. On the $5^{th}$ and $10^{th}$ day after growing in the nutrient solution containing ABA, seedlings were transferred to -5 bars of PEG-8000 in a growth chamber to induce water stress. Except for stem diameter and fresh and dry weight of root, there were no statistical differences in other growth parameters among control, 0.5 and $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of ABA treatments. Seedlings growths were strongly inhibited in nutrient solution containing 2 and $3mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of ABA. The root growth such as fresh and dry weigh of root, total root surface area, and average root diameter was slightly enhanced in $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of ABA treatment. The elevation of ABA concentrations in nutrient solution resulted in the decrease in transpiration rate and increase in stomatal diffusive resistance and leaf temperature of tomato seedlings. The initiations of seedling wilting after treating in -5 bars of PEG were delayed from 10 hrs in control to 30 hrs in ABA applied treatments. Additionally, the high percentages of recovered seedlings were observed in 0.5 and $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of ABA treatments after re-irrigation. Therefore, short-term application of $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ of ABA in the nutrient solution stimulated the root growth and drought tolerance of tomato seedlings by delaying the start time of wilting point and enhancing the recovery after re-irrigation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.43-54
• /
• 1998

This experiment was conducted to develop optimal nutrient solution for tomato plants, according to the plant growth stages in closed system. Perlite substrate was supplied with 1/2 and 1 strength of the solution of National Horticultural Research Station in Japan. Plants grew better and the nutrient_contents in the leaves were also proper in 1 strength. Based on these results, optimal nutrient solution in perlite was composed by n/w of 1 strength according to the plant growth rates ： N 13.5, P 3.3, K 7.0, Ca 7.0, Mg 3.5 me.L$^{-1}$ in seedling stage, N 14.2, P 3.3, K 8.0, Ca 7.5, Mg 4.0 me.L$^{-1}$ in vegetative stage and N 10.0, P 3.0, K 7.0, Ca 6.0, Mg 3.0 me.L$^{-1}$ in reproductive stage. To examine the suitability of the nutrient solution developed in this experiment, tomato plants were grown in rockwool and supplied with two different composition and concentration of nutrient solution composed by n/w of 1 strength in perlite (SCUT) and by Research Station for Greenhouse Vegetable and Floriculture on the Netherlands (PBG). PH and EC in SCUT were changed little in 1 strength but a significant change of PH was shown in 1/2 strength. Later, drained solutions in rockwool were also analyzed according to the Plant growth stages. Low concentrations of N and P in root zone were shown in early growth stage but N was increased in reproductive stage, while, K, Ca, Mg concentration was consistent through the whole growth stage. Considering these results, we found that the rebalance of N and P was needed, that is, reduction of N concentration in reproductive stage and increasing of P concentration in vegetative stage.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
• /
• 1998.12a
• /
• pp.193-200
• /
• 1998

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.11
• /
• pp.122-123
• /
• 1998

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 1998.10a
• /
• pp.122-123
• /
• 1998

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.168-174
• /
• 2002

A new circulating hydroponic system was invented for oriental melons grown in the greenhouse. For developing nutrient solution management techniques, we examined the changes of nutrient contents of circulating solution in three different types of new hydroponic systems. The yield and fruit quality of oriental melons in Hydroponics were better than those in soil culture. The substrate culture was appropriate fer hydroponics of oriental melons, and NFT was turned to be the opposite due to the physiological disorder during hot seasons. Yamazaki's melon solution with EC 2.0dS.m$^{[-10]}$ was the most appropriate for oriental melons. The new circulating hydroponic system seemed to be appropriate for oriental melons because of the stable EC, pH and the macro- and micro-element contents. NO$_3$-N, Ca and Mg contents in the circulating solution kept a good balance in all types of hydroponics. However, p content, compared to other types, decreased by the degree of 1 me.L$^{[-10]}$ in perlite medium. K content showed irregular status in perlite but showed the stable status in cocopeat. Generally, microelements, except Mo, showed stable absorption in the substrate culture. However, in NET, most of the elements showed irregular absorption except B and Mn. Microelement absorption, especially Cu, Zn and Mo, decreased during hot seasons.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.240-244
• /
• 2004

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different surfactants on the fertilizer reduction and increase of the mineral nutrients uptake of lettuce (Latuca sativa L. 'Hanbatchungchima') in deep flow technique culture. The measured items from lettuce leaves expanded fully were growth, photosynthetic and transpiration rate, and mineral nutrient content K, Ca and Mg, respectively. The highest growth were observed at $0.3mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ polyvinyl alcohol (PV4-95) treatment, including lettuce grown in the half strength of nutrient solution. The highest photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and mineral nutrient content were observed at $0.3mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ calcium lignosulfate (CLS) treatment. Therefore, high-quality leaf lettuce production could be achieved by apply proper surfactants PVA-95 and CLS, which can cut down the total amount of fertilizer and increase uptake of mineral nutrients.