Abstract

The adoption of closed soilless systems is useful in minimizing the environmental impactof the greenhouse crops. Instead, a significant problem in closed soilless systemsis represented by the accumulation of ions in the recycled nutrient solution (NS), inparticular the unabsorbed or poorly absorbed ones. To overcome such problem, we:(1) studied the effect of several values of the electrical conductivity (EC) of NS in aNFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system on a cherry type tomato crop, and (2) definea NS (called recovery solution), based on the concept of "uptake concentration" andtranspiration-biomass ratio, that fits the real needs of the plant with respect to waterand nutrients. Three levels of EC set point (SP), above which the NS was completelyreplaced (SP5, SP7.5, and SP10 for the EC limit of 5, 7.5, and 10 dS m?1, respectively),were established. The SP10 treatment yield was not different from other treatments,and it allowed a better quality of the berries (for dry matter and total soluble solids) andhigher environmental sustainability due to a lower discharge of total nutrients into theenvironment (37 and 59% with respect to SP7.5 and SP5, respectively). The recoverysolution used in the second trial allowed a more punctual NS management, by adaptingto the real needs of the crop. Moreover, it allowed a lesser amount of water and nutrientsto be discharged into the environment and a better use of brackish water, due to amore accurate management of the EC of the NS. The targeted management, based ontranspiration-biomass ratio, indicates that, in some stages of the plant cycle, the NSused can be diluted, in order to save water and nutrients. With such management aclosed cycle can be realized without affecting the yield, but improving the quality of thetomato berries.

Autore Pugliese

• Serio Francesco

Tutti gli autori

• A. Signore; F. Serio; P. Santamaria

Titolo volume/Rivista

Frontiers in plant science

Anno di pubblicazione

2016

ISSN

1664-462X

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Numero di citazioni Scopus

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Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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