ISHS Acta Horticulturae 396: Hydroponics and Transplant Production
HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTION OF FRUIT VEGETABLES BY CONTROLLING WATER IN A SIMPLIFIED ROCKWOOL CULTURE |
| Authors: | K. YASUBA, Y. MIZUTA, S. YAZAWA |
| Keywords: | Automatic irrigation system, Hydroponics, Cucumis melo, Fragaria x ananassa, Electric conductivity |
| Abstract:
The effects of water management on fruit quality using a new automatic irrigation in cultivation of muskmelon and strawberry with mixed medium of rockwool and peat were studied. In this system, medium water content was managed through medium weight and tap water was supplied through irrigation tubing. Medium weight was kept high before flowering. In a low water treatment, water content of the medium was reduced after flowering until plants wilted slightly, then maintained at a low level. Yield, Brix and fresh weight of fruits were compared with those of a high water content treatment. Fruits of melon and strawberry were examined for three and one seasons, respectively. The Brix level of melon was increased by the low water treatment in 1990, 1992 and 1993, although fruit fresh weight was slightly lower in 1990 and 1993. Fruit cracking was reduced by the treatment. In the case of strawberry, fruit Brix was increased by the low water treatment. Fresh weight per fruit was decreased by the treatment, although total yield was slightly increased. The EC in the treated medium solution increased, and EC rose to more than 10 mS/cm a month after this treatment at all points. Osmotic and matric potential did not decrease immediately after the low water treatment, but became low a month after the treatment. These facts indicated that fruit Brix could be increased without reducing yield by low water treatment, even though medium solution EC was high. | |
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