ISHS Acta Horticulturae 824: International Symposium on Application of Precision Agriculture for Fruits and Vegetables
NON-THERMAL TREATMENT WITH QUARTZ PORPHYRY INFLUENCES ON STABLE PRODUCTION OF KOMATSUNA HYDROPONICALLY: AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CULTIVATION SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURE |
| Authors: | T. Yoshimura, Md. Abul Kalam Azad, K. Ishikawa, N. Islam, S. Islam |
| Keywords: | Quartz Porphyry (QP), viscosity, hydroponics, komatsuna, plant growth |
| Abstract:
Recently, with the increase in the consumption of natural resources and energy, global environmental problems have appeared. The establishment of food production systems using technology to maintain environmental preservation is very important. The assurance of good water quality and environmental protection are important problems to be solved. Efficient approaches to nutrient management should be developed to amend and protect water quality. For this reason, innovative techniques for production with low entropy by using non-thermal energy for ecosystemic agri¬culture have been investigated. Hydroponic culture nutrient solution systems can be considered environmental conservation cultivation techniques because they can utilize restricted water resources effectively. In this study, komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. nothovar) was cultivated hydroponically using a Quartz Porphyry (QP) treated nutrient solution. Quartz Porphyry with electrochemical energy was utilized in the fluidization treatment, which improved water quality, and the growth of komatsuna vegetable was improved by receiving a QP treated nutrient solution. Other chemicals and large power inputs were unnecessary, and the environmental loading was very small. Results showed that the absorption of total ions and water by komatsuna plants receiving QP treated nutrient solution were significantly greater compare to the control. Reduced solution viscosity and the raising of temperature were the important factors behind this improvement. The viscosity of nutrient solution was dependent on temperature, and by using QP treatment, the temperature of the nutrient solution increased (0.2°C), and viscosity decreased, which might have caused easier absorption of nutrient ions by the plants, and ultimately, the increased growth of komatsuna plants. There was no significant relation between viscosity and concentration of nutrient solution. Therefore, this treatment method could be adapted as a technology for saving energy in plant production systems without detrimental effects on the environment. | |
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