Growth and Mineral Relations of Beta vulgaris var. cicla and Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima Cultivated Hydroponically with Diluted Seawater and Low Nitrogen Level in the Nutrient Solution

Abstract

There is an increasing interest in the use of seawater in horticulture. The objective of this study was to evaluate Beta vulgaris var. cicla (Swiss chard) and its wild ancestor B. vulgaris spp. maritima (sea beet) as potential crop species for seawater hydroponics or aquaponics. Both species were grown in a floating system for leaf production with recurrent harvests. The nutrient solutions contained different concentrations of nitrate (1 and 10 mM) and a synthetic sea salt (0 and 10 g L−1), in a factorial design, where the saline solution with a low nitrate level intended to mimic the typical nutritional conditions of saltwater aquaponics. In both species, increasing the salinity or reducing the N level in the nutrient solution reduced the crop yield and total dry biomass. In both Swiss chard and sea beet, the use of saline water resulted in a lower leaf concentration of K, Ca, Cu, and Mn, and a greater content of Na and Cl. In Swiss chard, an increase in Na and Cl and a decrease in K leaf content were found in successive harvests. On average, sea beet showed a higher leaf production and accumulation of nitrate than Swiss chard.

Iodine biofortification of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. cicla) and its wild ancestor sea beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima) grown hydroponically as baby leaves: effects on leaf production and quality

“…The higher nitrate content in SB leaves could be explained partially by the higher dry matter content and the characteristic of the plant species, as previously found by Puccinelli et al 68 In fact, nitrate accumulation is influenced by plant species and growing conditions. 70 The low nitrate content detected in the present experiment, especially in SC, could also be attributed to the young leaf age.…”

“…The higher biomass production exhibited by Swiss chard could be the result of breeding, in fact the cultivars had also been improved genetically to obtain a larger leaf size 67 . On the other hand, in a previous study conducted during spring on older plants of both SC and SB grown hydroponically with repeated cuts, SB showed a greater leaf biomass production than SC 68 . The different climatic conditions (the present study was conducted in the autumn) and the recurrent cuts could have affected the productivity of the two subspecies.…”

“…67 On the other hand, in a previous study conducted during spring on older plants of both SC and SB grown hydroponically with repeated cuts, SB showed a greater leaf biomass production than SC. 68 The different climatic conditions (the present study was conducted in the autumn) and the recurrent cuts could have affected the productivity of the two subspecies.…”

Hydroponic Production of Selenium-Enriched Baby Leaves of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) and Its Wild Ancestor Sea Beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima)

“…Several studies have been conducted on the Se biofortification of hydroponically grown plants [7]. Among the hydroponic techniques, the floating system has been shown to be suitable for cultivating leafy vegetables, including Swiss chard and sea beet [8]. Floating systems can facilitate crop biofortification, as found in a previous work [9].…”

Similar Responses of Relatively Salt-Tolerant Plants to Na and K during Chloride Salinity: Comparison of Growth, Water Content and Ion Accumulation

“…vulgaris var. cicla [ 25 , 26 , 27 ] has been assessed previously. In general, it was concluded that both are typical halophytic taxa, and the domestication process rather slightly reduced the salinity tolerance of beet crops [ 28 ].…”