Response of Shoot and Root Growth, Yield, and Chemical Composition to Nutrient Concentrations in Soybean Varieties Grown under Soilless and Controlled Environment Conditions

Abstract

The practice of cultivating crops in a controlled environment using a soilless culture method is seeing an increasing level of popularity. The aforementioned challenges include addressing climate change, combating pests and diseases, mitigating falling soil fertility, and ensuring constant production and quality. One of the potential crops that could be grown with such a method is soybean. Soybean cultivation in a controlled environment using soilless culture still needs more information, especially regarding nutrient solution management of certain soybean varieties. Thus, this study investigated the impact of nutrient concentrations and variety on soybean growth, yield, and chemical composition. This research was carried out in a plant growth chamber using expanded clay aggregate as a soilless substrate. The treatments were four nutrient concentrations: 0% (control), 50%, 100%, and 150%, and two different varieties: Martina and Johanna. The findings of this research revealed that there were significant differences in nutrient treatments on all parameters measured. Application of nutrient concentration at 50% resulted in the most profound root size for both varieties. Applying 100% nutrient concentration produced a higher 100-grain weight for the Johanna variety. Application of nutrient concentration at 150% resulted in the highest shoot weight and shoot:root ratio for both varieties, with varietal differences. Furthermore, applying nutrient concentration at 150% also produced the highest grain yield/pot, protein yield, and lipid yield for both varieties. Thus, the nutrient concentration between 100% and 150% gave a positive effect and can be applied for planting Martina and Johanna using this system.

Comparative Growth Analysis of Onion in Deep Water Culture and Soil Based Systems: Enhancing Medicinal Plant Cultivation in Urbanized Environments

“…In [28], the authors have carried out the growth response analysis of cucumber and the effect on its growth using the T-203 strain of the biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum in soil and axenic hydroponic conditions. In [29], soybean cultivation was carried out in controlled soilless conditions using four different nutrient concentrations, i.e. 0%, 50%, 100%, and 150%.…”

Using Date Palm Waste as an Alternative for Rockwool: Sweet Pepper Performance under Both Soilless Culture Substrates

“…Intensive vegetable production requires the development of new greenhouse strategies to cope with the increasing global population demand and promote food security [ 1 , 2 ]. Soil degradation and low water and nutrient use efficiencies have become a global challenge, particularity in arid climate zones, which has stimulated the expansion of the use of soilless cultivation methods.…”