Effect of the Matric Potential on Growth and Water, Nitrate and Potassium Absorption of Vegetables under Soilless Culture

Abstract

To exploit the full potential of plants, it is essential to provide an adequate water balance during critical growth stages. With knowledge of the substrate’s matric potential, it is possible to realistically measure the amount of water available to the plant. The objective of this research is to study the effect of the matric potential of the substrate on the growth of beans, lettuce, sweet peppers, watermelon, and cauliflower plants. The research goal was to evaluate the effect of the matric potential on the main fertigation parameters of horticultural plants. The plants were cultivated at the University of Almería (Spain) in a controlled chamber in a pot with 250 mL of coconut fiber substrate from block propagation. For treatments T15, T30, T45, and T60, new irrigation was applied when easily available water (EAW) depletion levels of 15, 30, 45, and 60% were reached, respectively. The efficiency of the use of water (WUE), nitrate (NUE), and potassium (KUE) was measured. From T15 to T60, a significant effect was found for the absorption of water, nitrate and potassium, WUE, NUE, and KUE. T60 reduced the plant growth by half. The largest growth was between 15 and 30% of the level of use of EAW. Two different models were constructed according to each plant. It is possible to have a small depletion in the available water and still have plant growth, if there is a balance between the air and water needs of the substrate.

Simulating and applying the water retention on organic substrates through a simple linear approach

“…It can be drawn ihe straightt line de ned by the 2 experimental points, and obtained all the the relations among substrate water content and substrate matric potential. The real applications of this approach are very useful on the knowledge of yhe hydrological management practices of the substartes, such as: a) Precise control of substrate water status may offer the possibility to steer crop response by enhancing different crop-performance components, namely yield and fruit quality [31]; b) The availability of water in the substrate (compost) depends on the substrate's water potential, which is the sum of osmotic, and matric [47]; c) Moderately low substrate moisture improved the water-use e ciency, while growth was signi cantly reduced under more severe water de cit conditions [48]; d) With the knowledge of the substrate's matric potential, it is possible to realistically measure the amount of water available to the plant [49], e) It is necessary to know whether plants grown on substrates mare in water stress, which is related to plant-available water and substrate matric potential [50].…”

Crop Hydroponics, Phyto-hydroponics, Crop Production, and Factors Affecting Soilless Culture

“…Many agricultural and horticultural crops are grown with water based culture and substrate based culture . Water based culture and substrate based culture increase feasibility of soilless production of vegetable crops such as tomato, chili, brinjal, green bean, bell pepper, cauliflower, cucumber, melons, radish, onion, lettuce, beet, winged beans, water spinach, spinach, coriander, etc. , Water based culture and substrate based culture are now practiced in commercial crop production under vertical farming also . The growth quality, yield quality, flavors, scent, nutritional content, and end products are more efficient in soilless crop production compared with soil based cultivation …”

Assessment of Two Calcium Silicate Sources on Cucumber Under Water Restriction

“…Water is crucial to the morphological, physiological, and biochemical functions of plants. It provides them with the nutrients and hydration needed to show their full potential, making it an essential part of them (Peçanha, da Cunha-Chiamolera, Chourak, Martínez-Rivera, & Urrestarazu, 2021). Hence, ensuring an adequate supply of water is key for ensuring healthy and thriving plants since its absence significantly impacts their water status, their nutrition (Peçanha et al, 2021), and, consequently, their performance (Sharma, Leskovar, & Crosby, 2019).…”