ROCKET PRODUCTION (ERUCA SATIVAMILL.) IN A FLOATING SYSTEM USING PERACETIC ACID AS OXYGEN SOURCE COMPARED WITH SUBSTRATE CULTURE

Abstract

2 Rocket (Eruca sativa Mill.) is a green leafy vegetable that is increasingly used as an ingredient in salad. The floating system is a way to grow this crop, at high density from sowing to harvest and easy to use in relation substrate culture, and it is well known water culture can be limited by hypoxia. Few studies have examined the use of peroxides or peracetic acid in nutrient solutions as a source of oxygenation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the rocket grown in substrates as compared to the floating system, with a stabilized mixture of peracetic acid in the nutrient solution. The experiment was carried out in and Talca (Chile) from October to November 2008. The treatments were substrate culture perlite and composted pine bark (1:1); floating system with trays filled with the same substrate and 0, 40 and 80 mg·L −1 of stabilized peracetic acid mix (PA). The fresh and dry weight of rocket leaves at harvest we evaluated. We recorded total nutrient solution uptake; the average dissolved oxygen; pH and electrical conductivity (EC). A randomized complete block design with four replicates was conducted using Tukey's multiple range test (P < 0.05). The results suggest from 40 to 80 mg·L −1 PA applied to the nutrient solution, increases the fresh and dry weight in the rocket crop grown by floating system and may compensate this limiting factor in the growth, if it was compared with higher oxygen available substrate culture.

Use of Peroxyacetic Acid as Green Chemical on Yield and Sensorial Quality in Watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) Under Soilless Culture

“…The yield variables that were evaluated show that the application of 40 mg L −1 of the peroxyacetic mixture resulted in significantly higher values than did treatment at 20 mg L −1 or control. The proper addition of peroxyacetic mixtures conditions and renews the irrigation water [ 16 ] by improving root oxygenation, which tends to have a positive effect on plant yield [ 7 ] (Carrasco and Urrestarazu, 2010). The use of a 40 mg L −1 dose of the peroxyacetic mixture achieved a yield improvement of 62% and 67% in fresh and dry weight, respectively, as compared to the control group.…”

Nutrient solution aeration and growing cycles affect quality and yield of fresh-cut baby leaf red lettuce

“…Furthermore, the initial microbial load in leaves in this system at harvesting is lower than in conventionally grown crops (Rodríguez-Hidalgo et al 2010). Although the floating system is easy to use, it is limited by the concentration of oxygen in the nutrient solution (Carrasco et al 2011), and plants may suffer hypoxia because the roots gradually consume the oxygen dissolved therein. Furthermore, this effect is more pronounced in the summer when temperatures rise (Morard and Silvestre 1996).…”

Green Chemistry in Protected Horticulture: The Use of Peroxyacetic Acid as a Sustainable Strategy

“…Among the various functions of these peroxyacetic acid mixtures in protected horticulture and the food industry, several other uses include: Disinfection of fertigation solution for control of pathogens [ 16 ]; Removal of drips through scaling [ 17 , 18 ]; Control of rainfall by preventing the formation of biofilms [ 16 ]; Increase of radical oxygenation due to the subproducts of decomposition, H 2 0, and O 2 , which have been evaluated in recirculation systems in soilless cultures [ 19 ]; Postharvest removal of natural microflora in freshly cut vegetables [ 10 , 19 ]; and In other areas of the food industry, such as aquaculture, peroxyacetic acid mixtures control pathogens in fish by replacing other toxic products [ 20 ]. In molluscs, peroxides have also been evaluated as a promising alternative [ 21 ].…”

“…In other areas of the food industry, such as aquaculture, peroxyacetic acid mixtures control pathogens in fish by replacing other toxic products [ 20 ]. In molluscs, peroxides have also been evaluated as a promising alternative [ 21 ].…”

“…Both peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide easily degrade into oxygen and water with the potential to replace formalin in the control of fish pathogens, such as the Multifiliis ichthyophthirius ectoparasite. The use of peroxyacetic acid mixtures is a possible alternative to be implemented in aquaculture, according to studies conducted by [ 20 ]. Other studies conducted on molluscs aimed to replace the chlorination and chemical agents used as descaling agents, which are toxic to marine species.…”