QUARTZ PORPHYRY TREATMENT ALTERS IRRIGATION WATER CHEMISTRY,AFFECTING HYDROPONIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION |
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| Authors: | M Abul Kalam Azad Naima Islam Katsumi Ishikawa |
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| Institution: | 1. Laboratory of Biological and Environmental Systems , Kochi University , Nankoku-shi, Japan;2. Department of Crop Science and Technology , Rajshahi University , Rajshahi, Bangladesh;3. Laboratory of Biological and Environmental Systems , Kochi University , Nankoku-shi, Japan |
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| Abstract: | This study focused on using quartz porphyry (QP) as a water treatment to improve hydroponic production of komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. nothovar; Japanese mustard spinach). We compared the chemistries of the control and QP-treated nutrient solutions and found that magnesium (Mg2+) and calcium (Ca2+) concentrations increased linearly up to day 21 following sowing in both conditions, then declined slightly. The QP treatment reduced sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl?) concentrations for the whole cultivation period. In both the control and QP-treated solutions, nitrate (NO? 3) and sulfate (SO2? 4) showed the same trend to a daily increase. In spite of these similarities, however, komatsuna production was better with the QP-treated nutrient solution compared to control. Treatment with QP during cultivation in August–September reduced the harmful effects of Na+, chloride (Cl?), nitrite (NO? 2), and SO2? 4 by reducing concentrations of these ions, possibly leading to decreased salinity and toxicity effects in the plants. Mineral concentrations during October–November differed from those of August/September, resulting in variation among the different growth parameters for komatsuna. |
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| Keywords: | quartz porphyry (QP) water quality water treatment system nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponics komatsuna cultivation |
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