PRODUCTION OF AROMATIC HERBS IN WATER CULTURE
Project no. 1033 · Status: Kapanmış · 2016
Summary
This study was conducted in unheated greenhouse conditions in order to determine the effects of different nutrient solution concentrations and heights on plant growth, yield, quality, nutrient content and water consumption in aromatic herbs grown in floating water culture in 2018-2019. In the research, rocket (Eruca sativa L. cv. Bengi), cress (Lepidium sativum L. cv. Zeybek), parsley (Petroselinum crispum L. cv. Bezirci), and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L. cv. Marino) were used as plant materials. Seeds were sown into peat in seedling trays with 210 cells and trays were kept in the germination room for 3 days (18°C day/night, 80% humidity in the dark,), then trays were placed into nursery. When the plants had 1 to 2 true leaves, they were placed in basin with an aerated nutrient solution. The nutrient solution recipe (N 150, P 50, K 150, Mg 50, Fe 5, Zn 0.05, Mn 0.5, B 0.5, Cu 0.03, Mo 0.02 ppm) was adjusted as 100% (1.00) and concentrations were reduced by 50% (0.50) and 25% (0.75) and increased 25% (1.25). Nutrient solution heights were 20 (100 L) or 30 (150 L) cm in the basins. Rocket, cress, parsley and coriander were grown in water culture for 20, 28, 35 and 53 days respectively and yield, quality and plant growth parameters were recorded at the first harvest. After 3 harvests of rocket and coriander, 2 harvests of cress and parsley, production was completed. When the results obtained from the research were evaluated it was concluded that the yield in cress, parsley and coriander was the highest at the highest nutrient solution concentration, however reducing the concentration up to 0.75 would not cause significant losses in yield, reducing the concentration up to 50% in the rocket may not cause losses in yield, while the nitrate content in the leaves increased with increasing concentrations, the vitamin C content decreased and the height of 30 cm nutrient solution may be suitable due to the higher nutrient content at the limited automation conditions.