ISHS Acta Horticulturae 579: II Balkan Symposium on Vegetables and Potatoes
APPLICATION OF THE FUNCTIONAL WATER INFLUENCES TO GROWTH AND YIELD OF HYDROPONICALLY GROWN CUCUMBER |
| Author: | A. Tanimoto |
| Keywords: | functional water, hydroponics, cucumber production, growth, yield |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.579.57 |
| Abstract:
The utilization of water treated with special ceramics in agriculture has been studied in recent years. It is reported the water specialized with fluidization electrolysis, when it is fluidized granular ceramics, enhanced vigor of rice seeds in appreciation of high germination rate (Ishikawa et al., 1996). Tanimoto (1998, unpublished data) also found Romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cultured in NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) with the treated water showed superior development of canopy and high dry matter production. In this experiment, cucumber (Cucumis sativus), a typical fruit vegetable was used to examine, if the same benefit as obtained with leaf vegetables could be obtained when the cucumbers are cultured in hydroponics while using the treated water. Four-leaves-stage cucumber plants were transplanted to granulated rockwool (RW) and decomposed bark (B). These cucumbers were fed with normal nutrient solution at favorable intervals. The other group of cucumbers was transplanted to the decomposed bark as well, but was fed with the same nutrient solution except it was treated with continuous fluidization electrolysis through granulated ceramics (B+), and was compared with RW and B on vegetative growth and fruit production. RW showed superior elongation of main stem and leaf development rate all through the growing period, and B+ followed a little behind. Though, B+ showed relatively lesser vegetative growth than RW, total yield overcame RW. The over all vegetative growth of B was slowest, and total yield was also fell far below other two plots. This fact indicates that the treatment of the solution provided advantages to growth and fruit production of cucumbers, and it was effective in enhancing growth and productivity similar to the effect on leaf vegetables. | |
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