Background Soil available phosphorus(AP)deficiency significantly limits cotton production,particularly in arid and saline-alkaline regions.Screening cotton cultivars for low phosphorus(P)tolerance is crucial for the s...Background Soil available phosphorus(AP)deficiency significantly limits cotton production,particularly in arid and saline-alkaline regions.Screening cotton cultivars for low phosphorus(P)tolerance is crucial for the sustainable development of cotton production.However,the effect of different growth media on the screening outcomes remains unclear.To address this,we evaluated the low P tolerance of 25 cotton cultivars through hydroponic culture at two P levels(0.01 and 0.5 mmol·L^(-1) KH_(2)PO_(4))in 2018 and field culture with two P rates(0 and 90 kg·hm^(-2),in P2O5)in 2019.Results In the hydroponic experiments,principal component analysis(PCA)showed that shoot dry weight(SDW)and P utilization efficiency in shoots(PUES)of cotton seedlings explained over 45%of the genetic variation in P nutri-tion.Cotton cultivars were subjected to comprehensive cluster analysis,utilizing agronomic traits(SDW and PUES)during the seedling stage(hydroponic)and yield and fiber quality traits during the mature stage(in field).These cultivars were grouped into four clusters:resistant,moderately resistant,moderately sensitive,and sensitive.In low P conditions(0.01 mmol·L^(-1) KH_(2)PO_(4) and 4.5 mg·kg^(-1) AP),the low-P-resistant cluster showed significantly smaller reduc-tions in SDW(54%),seed cotton yield(3%),lint yield(-2%),fiber length(-1)%),and fiber strength(-3%)compared with the low-P-sensitive cluster(75%,13%,17%,7%,and 9%,respectively).The increase in PUES(299%)in the resist-ant cluster was also significantly higher than in the sensitive cluster(131%).Four of the eight low-P-tolerant cotton cultivars identified in the field and six in the hydroponic screening overlapped in both screenings.Two cultivars overlapped in both screening in the low-P-sensitive cluster.Conclusion Based on the screenings from both field and hydroponic cultures,ZM-9131,CCRI-79,JM-958,and J-228 were identified as low-P-tolerant cotton cultivars,while JM-169,XM-33B,SCRC-28,and LNM-18 were identified as low P-sensitive cotton cultivars.The relationship between field and hydroponic screening results for low-P-tolerant cotton cultivars was strong,although field validation is still required.The low P tolerance of these cultivars was closely associ-ated with SDW and PUES.展开更多
Reclaimed water for irrigation or hydroponic cultivation provides exposure pathways for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAS)to enter the human food chain.This study employed hydroponic methods to investigate the b...Reclaimed water for irrigation or hydroponic cultivation provides exposure pathways for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAS)to enter the human food chain.This study employed hydroponic methods to investigate the behavior of legacy PFAS and emerging chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acids(Cl-PFESAs)in lettuce grown under environment-related exposure levels and assessed the human exposure risks from consuming contaminated lettuce.Overall,PFAS in lettuce were concentration-dependent,with long-chain PFAS tending to accumulate in roots and short-chain PFAS accumulating more in shoots.The enrichment of PFAS in lettuce was jointly influenced by their chain length and polar functional groups.Specifically,the root concentration factors(RCFs)of PFAS generally increased with increasing chain length,and RCF values of most perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids(PFSAs)were significantly higher than those of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids(PFCAs)with the same chain length(p<0.01),while the translocation factors(TFs)exhibited opposite trends.RCF values of perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS)and its alternatives,Cl-PFESAs,were ranked as follows:8:2 Cl-PFESA(mean:139)>6:2 Cl-PFESA(28.6)>PFOS(25.7),which was attributed to the increased molecular size and hydrophobicity resulting from the insertion of ether bonds and additional CF2 in 8:2 Cl-PFESA.Notably,TF value of 8:2 Cl-PFESA(mean:0.007)was the smallest among all PFAS,indicating 8:2 Cl-PFESA was difficult to transfer to nutritional compartments.Adults and children would exceed the most conservative health-based reference dose(RfD)by consuming approximately 15.9–148 g and 7.92–74.0 g of contaminated lettuce per day,implying high health risks.展开更多
In recent years,biochar has attracted considerable attention for soil quality improvement and carbon sequestration due to its unique physicochemical properties.However,the mechanism by which biochar application negati...In recent years,biochar has attracted considerable attention for soil quality improvement and carbon sequestration due to its unique physicochemical properties.However,the mechanism by which biochar application negatively affects the growth of crop seedlings has not been fully investigated.In this study,a hydroponic experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of rice,wheat,and corn seedlings to biochar application(CK,0 g/L;BC1,0.5 g/L;and BC2,1.0 g/L).Compared with the CK treatment,the BC1 and BC2 treatments decreased the fresh shoot and root weights of rice and corn seedlings(P<0.05),but there was no significant effect on wheat seedlings(P>0.05).For the contents of nutrient elements in seedlings,both BC1 and BC2 treatments hindered the roots from absorbing Fe and Cu and increased the uptake of Ca and Mn.Compared with the CK treatment,the translocation factor(TF)values of Ca,Mn,and Zn were significantly decreased especially in rice seedlings(35.3%-36.8%,68.7%-76.5%,and 29.8%-22.0%,respectively)under the BC1 and BC2 treatments,while only Mn was significantly decreased in wheat and corn seedlings(P<0.05).Transmission electron microscope(TEM)analysis of root cross-sections showed that nano-sized biochar particles(10~23 nm)were found in the root cells under BC2 treatment conditions.Our findings reveal that a large amount of biochar application can reduce nutrient absorption and translocation,and hinder rice,wheat,and corn seedlings,particularly rice seedling,in hydroponic system.展开更多
Sweet potato leaves are consumed globally for their nutritional and functional properties,with their taste characteristics significantly influencing their market value and consumer acceptance.However,the metabolic fac...Sweet potato leaves are consumed globally for their nutritional and functional properties,with their taste characteristics significantly influencing their market value and consumer acceptance.However,the metabolic factors determining the taste of sweet potato leaves remain unclear.This study evaluated the taste and metabolic profile of sweet potato leaves cultivated in soil and hydroponic systems,revealing that hydroponic culture improved the taste of the leafy sweet potatoes.Using gas chromatography system(GC)-ToF-MS,200 metabolites were identified,encompassing most plant metabolic pathways.A comparison of good-tasting vs.poor-tasting sweet potato leaves identified 71 metabolites associated with taste quality formation.Poor-tasting leaves exhibited lower levels of amino acid metabolites and higher levels of carbohydrate and secondary metabolites.This research provides novel insights into enhancing the taste of leafy sweet potatoes.展开更多
Temperature, as an important feature of hydroponic nutrient solution, is closely related to dissolved oxygen content of nutrient solution and growth status of plant roots. How to precisely adjust the temperature of nu...Temperature, as an important feature of hydroponic nutrient solution, is closely related to dissolved oxygen content of nutrient solution and growth status of plant roots. How to precisely adjust the temperature of nutrient solution is the key to obtain high quality and high yield of hydroponic vegetables over summer. With Lactuca sativa vat. crispa ＇Luosheng No.3＇ as the test material, the effect of chiller cooling technology on the temperature of nutrient solution, as well as on the yield and quality of Luosheng No.3, in over-summer hydroponic cultivation was studied. The results showed that the chiller cooling technology controlled the nutrient solution temperature in a reasonable range （（20 ± 1）℃） and promoted the growth and dry matter accumulation of Luosheng No.3, instead of affecting the quality. In short, the chiller cooling technology is applicable to the temperature regulation of nutrient solu- tion in hydroponics over summer.展开更多
[Objective] The experiment aimed to study the growth characteristics of hydroponic bowl lotus. [Method] The lotus variety Hongxia was chosen as the experimental material. Two treatments, hydroponics and soil culture w...[Objective] The experiment aimed to study the growth characteristics of hydroponic bowl lotus. [Method] The lotus variety Hongxia was chosen as the experimental material. Two treatments, hydroponics and soil culture were set to measure their photosynthetic indices, chlorophyll content and root vigor, and to observe their leaf tissue structure and stomatal characteristics. [Result] The findings indicated that there are no differences in the leaf physiological indices between bowl lotus under hydroponics and soil culture, while the leaf stomata of hydroponic bowl lotus is bigger and its amount is larger than that of soil-culture bowl lotus. At the same time, the ratio of the palisade tissue thickness to spongy tissue thickness is small,and its leaf tissue structure is loose. The root vigor of hydroponic bowl lotus reached its summit earlier, then began to drop. Whereas, the root activity of soil-culture lotus sustained increasing, with vigorous growth. [Conclusion] Therefore, it indicated that hydroponic bowl lotus can adapt to the aquatic-culture environment well and quickly, meanwhile, it also enters into its aging period quickly and its growth cycle gets shorter.展开更多
Hydroponic culture is a controlled systems use a soilless growing media,supply all of the plant’s nutrition in the plant’s solutions(water with dissolved fertilizers),result in higher yields of vegetables,flowers,he...Hydroponic culture is a controlled systems use a soilless growing media,supply all of the plant’s nutrition in the plant’s solutions(water with dissolved fertilizers),result in higher yields of vegetables,flowers,herbs and others crops.Hydroponic systems derive in many various forms and types.Most traditional hydroponic systems are extremely specialized,controlled-environment production systems.Organic hydroponics is a system that is arranged based on organic agriculture of culture.Different approaches are used for controlling of plant pathogens such as physical,chemical,biological controls,biofertilizers,bioremediators and integrated pest management.All the required nutrients are supplied in controlled amounts,including organic crops.This article discuss the way for promoting organic hydroponics systems and to help the small-scale producer make decisions about follow this markets,production methods,and disease control.展开更多
In this paper, the authors studied the effect of different mixtures of glycine (Gly), isoleucine (Iso), proline (Pro), and urea solutions used as a partial (20%) replacment of nitrate in the nitrate content and qualit...In this paper, the authors studied the effect of different mixtures of glycine (Gly), isoleucine (Iso), proline (Pro), and urea solutions used as a partial (20%) replacment of nitrate in the nitrate content and quality of non-heading Chinese cabbage and lettuce in hydroponice. Five treatments were done 12 d before harvest. Compared to the control group, Gly had the best effect in reducing the nitrate content of both vegetable leaves and petioles; the mixture of Gly, Iso and Pro ranked second and urea the least. Treatments with amino acid could also increase soluble sugar and protein contents and enhance total-N in leaves significantly. In contrast, amino acid enhanced NRA in non-heading Chinese cabbage, while they decreased it slightly in lettuce. The results showed that amino acids and urea could reduce the nitrate content of both vegetables, but they had almost the same effect on non-heading Chinese cabbage. Moreover, amino acids were more effective than urea in lettuce. As a result, it was concluded that partial replacement of nitrate with amino acids not only reduced the nitrate content but also improved the quality of vegetables.展开更多
Aluminum （Al） toxicity often takes place in acidic soils with a pH of 5.5 or lower. Breeding and cultivation of Al tolerance wheat can partially protect wheat escaping from Al toxicity. The scarcity of the tolerant ...Aluminum （Al） toxicity often takes place in acidic soils with a pH of 5.5 or lower. Breeding and cultivation of Al tolerance wheat can partially protect wheat escaping from Al toxicity. The scarcity of the tolerant sources impedes the wheat breeding. In order to find new Al tolerance sources, we screened 173 bread wheat landraces from Tibet of China using hydroponic screening. It was indicated that： （1） There were diversities on the root regenerate length （RRL）. The RRL of a large of landraces were longer than 7.00 cm in pH 7 （58.38%） and pH 4.5 （66.47%）, but shorter than 5.00 cm in pH 4.5 ＋50μM Al^3＋ （80.93%）. The low pH showed either promotion or restraining effects depend on landraces, but Al toxicity under low pH only showed restraining effects on the root elongation. （2） There were also diversities on root tolerance index of low pH （RTI 1） or root aluminum tolerance index （RTI2） among cultivars. The RTI1 varied from a narrow range but with relatively high value （0.8722-1.2953） in comparison with that of RTI2 （0.3829-1.0058）, and the RTI1 of approximately 60% landraces was higher than 1.0000, the RTI2 of only 19.07% landraces was higher than 0.7000, suggesting that Al toxicity acted as an important factor for the reduction of the root elongation under acidic soils. （3） The RTI 1 of many wheats was higher than 1.0000, and As2256 and As2295 were the most tolerant for low pH, with RTI1 1.2953 and 1.2925, respectively. （4） Based on RTI2, seven wheats showed similar or higher tolerance to Al toxicity than Chinese Spring （CS）, a known tolerance wheat. Much better tolerance existed in landraces of As1543 and As1242, which can be used as the new parents for Al tolerant breeding.展开更多
Vertical flow constructed wetlands is a typical ecological sanitation system for sewage treatment. The removal rates for COD, BOD 5, SS, TN, and TP were 60%, 80%, 74%, 49% and 79%, respectively, when septic tank effl...Vertical flow constructed wetlands is a typical ecological sanitation system for sewage treatment. The removal rates for COD, BOD 5, SS, TN, and TP were 60%, 80%, 74%, 49% and 79%, respectively, when septic tank effluent was treated by vertical flow filter. So the concentration of COD and BOD\-5 in the treated effluent could meet the quality standard for irrigation water. After that the treated effluent was used for hydroponic cultivation of water spinach and romaine lettuce, the removal efficiencies of the whole system for COD, BOD\-5, SS, TN and TP were 71 4%, 97 5%, 96 9%, 86 3%, and 87 4%, respectively. And it could meet the integrated wastewater discharge standard for secondary biological treatment plant. It was found that using treated effluent for hydroponic cultivation of vegetables could reduce the nitrate content in vegetables. The removal rates for total bacteria and coliform index by using vertical flow bed system with cinder substrate were 80%—90% and 85%—96%, respectively.展开更多
Previous soil pot and field experiments demonstrated that co-cropping the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii with maize increased Zn phytoextraction by S. alfredii and decreased Zn uptake by maize shoots. This hydroponic...Previous soil pot and field experiments demonstrated that co-cropping the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii with maize increased Zn phytoextraction by S. alfredii and decreased Zn uptake by maize shoots. This hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate whether the facilitation of Zn phytoextraction by S. alfredii resulted from improved dissolution in this co-cropping system and its relation to root exudates. S. alfredii and maize were mono-and co-cropped （without a root barrier） in nutrient solution spiked with four Zn compounds, ZnS, ZnO, Zn3（PO4）2 and 5ZnO·2CO3·4H2O （represented as ZnCO3 ） at 1000 mg/L Zn for 15 days without renewal of nutrient solution after pre-culture. The root exudates were collected under incomplete sterilization and analyzed. The results indicated that the difference in Zn salts had a greater influence on the Zn concentration in maize than for S. alfredii, varying from 210-2603 mg/kg for maize shoots and 6445-12476 mg/kg for S. alfredii in the same order： ZnCO3 〉 ZnO 〉Zn3（PO4）2 〉 ZnS. For the four kinds of Zn sources in this experiment, co-cropping with maize did not improve Zn phytoextraction by S. alfredii. In most cases, compared to co-cropped and mono-cropped maize, mono-cropped S. alfredii resulted in the highest Zn2＋ concentration in the remaining nutrient solution, and also had a higher total concentration of low molecular weight organic acids （LMWOA） and lower pH of root exudation. Root exudates did partly influence Zn hyperaccumulation in S. alfredii.展开更多
The presence of AI in the rhizosphere of rice in acid soil restricts root growth and significantly reduces crop productivity. In this study, the effects of AI （30, 60 and 90 μg/mL） on seedling root growth, number o...The presence of AI in the rhizosphere of rice in acid soil restricts root growth and significantly reduces crop productivity. In this study, the effects of AI （30, 60 and 90 μg/mL） on seedling root growth, number of primary roots per seedling, seedling shoot length, number of leaves per seedling, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight were studied. Rice genotypes were classified into three different classes, namely, tolerant, moderately tolerant, and susceptible, based on root tolerance index. The method of hydroponic culture was modified, and elaborated in the text. Toxic levels of AI in nutrient solution significantly decreased seedling root growth, number of primary roots, seedling shoot length, number of leaves per seedling, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight. Few genotypes showed longer root length at 30 pg/mL AI in nutrient solutions compared with the control. High levels of AI in nutrient solutions were highly toxic for rice seedlings. Based on root tolerance index, Radhunipagal, Gobindobhog, Badshabhog, Kalobhog, UBKVR-11, UBKVR-16, UBKVR-18, Khasha and IVT4007-B were classified as tolerant genotypes, and these genotypes may be used as donors for breeding of Altoxicity tolerance.展开更多
Here, the ozone-treated domestic sludge was diluted up to four different multiples and utilized as a nutritional source for hydroponic lettuce growth. Additionally, lettuce was cultured using the modified Hoagland nut...Here, the ozone-treated domestic sludge was diluted up to four different multiples and utilized as a nutritional source for hydroponic lettuce growth. Additionally, lettuce was cultured using the modified Hoagland nutrient solution as a control. The effects of ozone-treated domestic sludge on lettuce growth and nutrition were studied. Results showed that the lettuce treated with modified Hoagland inorganic nutrient solution had increased leaf number, plant height, fresh weight and dry weight compared to those treated with the ozone-treated domestic sludge dilution （P〈0.05）. However, the lettuce cultivated with the 2-fold ozone-treated sludge dilution showed significantly higher （P〈0.05） contents of chlorophyll, soluble sugar and ascorbic acid （Vc） compared to that treated with modified Hoagland nutrient solution. And the nitrate concentration in the lettuce cultured with the 2-fold ozone-treated sludge dilution was 53.93% less than that cultured with the modified Hoagland nutrient solution, which was a significant improvement （P〈0.05）. This study suggested that the 2-fold ozone-treated sludge dilution is optimal for lettuce hydroponic nutrient requirements.展开更多
Hydroponically-grown produce may be a way of helping to feed the world a variety of fruits and vegetables, regardless of soil quality, space availability or climate. The objective of this study was to determine whethe...Hydroponically-grown produce may be a way of helping to feed the world a variety of fruits and vegetables, regardless of soil quality, space availability or climate. The objective of this study was to determine whether hydroponicallygrown lettuce contains as much ascorbic acid and tocopherol as soil-grown lettuce. We analyzed four varieties of lettuce, including: Waldmann’s Dark Green, Red Lollo Antago, Red Romaine Annapolis, and Butterleaf. The tocopherol content of hydroponically-grown Waldmann’s Dark Green, Red Lollo Antago, and Red Romaine Annapolis was 229%, 497% and 492% higher, respectively, compared to their soil-grown counterpart. The ascorbic acid content of hydroponically-grown Waldmann’s Dark Green, Red Lollo Antago, and Red Romaine Annapolis was 93%, 171% and 216% higher, respectively, compared to their soil-grown counterparts. Hydroponically grown lettuce varieties are significantly higher in both ascorbic acid and tocopherol content than their soil-grown counterparts, and hydroponic gardening is a viable option for producing nutritious fruits and vegetables.展开更多
Soil temperature influences crop growth and quality under field and greenhouse conditions;however, precise investigation using controlled cultivation systems is largely lacking. We investigated effects of root-zone te...Soil temperature influences crop growth and quality under field and greenhouse conditions;however, precise investigation using controlled cultivation systems is largely lacking. We investigated effects of root-zone temperatures on growth and components of hydroponically grown red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Red Wave) under a controlled cultivation system at 20°C. Compared with ambient root-zone temperature exposure, a 7-day low temperature exposure reduced leaf area, stem size, fresh weight, and water content of lettuce. However, root-zone heating treatments produced no significant changes in growth parameters compared with ambient conditions. Leaves under low root-zone temperature contained higher anthocyanin, phenols, sugar, and nitrate concentrations than leaves under other temperatures. Root oxygen consumption declined with low temperature root exposure, but not with root heating. Leaves of plants under low rootzone temperature showed hydrogen peroxide production, accompanied by lipid peroxidation. Therefore, low temperature root treatment is suggested to induce oxidative stress responses in leaves, activating antioxidative secondary metabolic pathways.展开更多
[Objective] Iron deficiency is one of the most important crop element deficiencies in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China. The selection for crop cultivars that are tolerant to low iron levels could be one of the ...[Objective] Iron deficiency is one of the most important crop element deficiencies in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China. The selection for crop cultivars that are tolerant to low iron levels could be one of the approaches to solving the problem and improving crop production. [Method] Three major apple root stock species （Malus prunifolia, Malus sieversii and Malus baccata） were selected to evaluate their tolerance to iron defciency in hydroponic system. A 3×2 factorial pot experiment was conducted with three replicates in a greenhouse at Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China. [Result] The SOD, POD and CAT activities in roots and stems of the 3 root stock species in Fe-defcient Hoagland solution decreased, however Malus sieversii got the less reduction and had better root architecture and growth than the other species. The aboveground biomass, plant height, chlorophyll content, total root length and lateral root number were correlated positively with iron-defciency stress tolerance. The species’ tolerance to iron-defciency from high to low was M. sieversii’s〉M. baccata’s〉M. prunifolia’s. Moreover, the improvement of some morphological features such as root length, above-ground biomass, plant height and lateral root number in apple could be conducive to breeding cultivars with tolerance to iron-defciency stress. [Conclusion] Malus sieversii had better tolerance to iron-defciency stress than the others in this study.展开更多
Screening cultivars to grow under conditions of low phosphorus (P) availability and utilize P efficiently from compounds of low solubility in soils may be beneficial to overcome poor plant growth in P-deficient soils....Screening cultivars to grow under conditions of low phosphorus (P) availability and utilize P efficiently from compounds of low solubility in soils may be beneficial to overcome poor plant growth in P-deficient soils. The growth behavior and P utilization efficiency of seven wheat cultivars grown in hydroponics were studied, using rock phosphate as P source. The wheat cultivars grown for 30 days were significantly different in biomass accumulation, P uptake and P utilization efficiency. The dry matter production of all the cultivars was significantly correlated with P uptake, which in turn correlated to the drop in the root medium pH. The ranking of wheat cultivars on the basis of dry matter yield, P uptake and P utilization efficiency was Zamindar 80 > Yecora > C 271 > WL 711 > Barani 83 > PARI 73 > Rohtas. The cultivar Zamindar 80 appeared to possess the best growth potential in P-deficient soils.展开更多
There is growing concern about food safety, environmental impact, and efficient energy usage in agricultural production systems. Producing lettuce under artificial lighting could be a solution addressing these concern...There is growing concern about food safety, environmental impact, and efficient energy usage in agricultural production systems. Producing lettuce under artificial lighting could be a solution addressing these concerns. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer the advantages of a narrow light spectrum, low power consumption, and little heat production. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different light sources on the growth of miniature “Tom Thumb” butterhead lettuce in a non-circulating hydroponic system. Lettuce seedlings, started in Oasis Horticubes, were transferred to net pots in containers with a hydroponic nutrient solution. The lettuce was grown in a lab under three light treatments—blue LEDs, red LEDs, and fluorescent lights. At the end of the study, fluorescent lights resulted in greater root dry weight than blue LEDs and red LEDs. Total plant dry weight under fluorescent lights was greater than under red LEDs. There were no significant differences in shoot dry weight and plant height among the treatments. Percent partitioning of dry weight to shoots was greatest with red LEDs, followed by blue LEDS, and fluorescent lights. Percent partitioning of dry weight to roots was greatest with fluorescent lights, followed by blue LEDS, and red LEDs. Leaf chlorophyll content was greater under blue LEDs and fluorescent lights than red LEDs. The pH of the nutrient solution of the blue LED and the fluorescent light treatments were greater than the red LED treatment. Electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution of the fluorescent light treatment was greater than the blue LED treatment and the red LED treatment. In conclusion, LEDs could provide an alternative lighting source for miniature lettuce production.展开更多
Hydroponic and aeroponic technology is to grow plants in an air or mist environment instead of using soils. The research reviewed pyramid-shaped hydro- ponic and aeroponic system and made conclusions from base constru...Hydroponic and aeroponic technology is to grow plants in an air or mist environment instead of using soils. The research reviewed pyramid-shaped hydro- ponic and aeroponic system and made conclusions from base construction, process of the cultivation and daily management.展开更多
Hydroponic growing methods are growing in popularity and seem to have numerous benefits (i.e., environmental, increased product yields, year round growing) compared to soil grown crops. Although these advantages are a...Hydroponic growing methods are growing in popularity and seem to have numerous benefits (i.e., environmental, increased product yields, year round growing) compared to soil grown crops. Although these advantages are attractive, they do not guarantee a high quality product. Taste is a driver of consumer acceptance;therefore, sensory analysis of the hydroponic product will be an important indicator in its success. In this study, we evaluated the sensory differences and preferences in hydroponically grown and soil-grown strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) using unspecified discriminatory and preference analyses, and descriptive testing correlated with nutrition content data. Most (87%) of participants could identify differences between hydroponically and soil grown strawberries and 70% preferred the hydroponically grown strawberry (p = 0.06). The nutrient composition of the strawberries significantly influenced several sensory analysis categories (sweetness, overall flavor and overall taste (p < 0.05)). The use of sensory studies in relation to consumer acceptance and nutrient quality will be an important factor to consider for exploring growing methods and techniques in hydroponic technology.展开更多
基金the Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(2024D01A56)the National Key Research and Develop-ment Program of China(2017YFD0201906)+2 种基金the Central Research Institutes of Basic Research and the Public Service Special Foundation(1610162022044)the China Agriculture Research System(CARS-15-11)the Agricultural Sci-ence and Technology Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
文摘Background Soil available phosphorus(AP)deficiency significantly limits cotton production,particularly in arid and saline-alkaline regions.Screening cotton cultivars for low phosphorus(P)tolerance is crucial for the sustainable development of cotton production.However,the effect of different growth media on the screening outcomes remains unclear.To address this,we evaluated the low P tolerance of 25 cotton cultivars through hydroponic culture at two P levels(0.01 and 0.5 mmol·L^(-1) KH_(2)PO_(4))in 2018 and field culture with two P rates(0 and 90 kg·hm^(-2),in P2O5)in 2019.Results In the hydroponic experiments,principal component analysis(PCA)showed that shoot dry weight(SDW)and P utilization efficiency in shoots(PUES)of cotton seedlings explained over 45%of the genetic variation in P nutri-tion.Cotton cultivars were subjected to comprehensive cluster analysis,utilizing agronomic traits(SDW and PUES)during the seedling stage(hydroponic)and yield and fiber quality traits during the mature stage(in field).These cultivars were grouped into four clusters:resistant,moderately resistant,moderately sensitive,and sensitive.In low P conditions(0.01 mmol·L^(-1) KH_(2)PO_(4) and 4.5 mg·kg^(-1) AP),the low-P-resistant cluster showed significantly smaller reduc-tions in SDW(54%),seed cotton yield(3%),lint yield(-2%),fiber length(-1)%),and fiber strength(-3%)compared with the low-P-sensitive cluster(75%,13%,17%,7%,and 9%,respectively).The increase in PUES(299%)in the resist-ant cluster was also significantly higher than in the sensitive cluster(131%).Four of the eight low-P-tolerant cotton cultivars identified in the field and six in the hydroponic screening overlapped in both screenings.Two cultivars overlapped in both screening in the low-P-sensitive cluster.Conclusion Based on the screenings from both field and hydroponic cultures,ZM-9131,CCRI-79,JM-958,and J-228 were identified as low-P-tolerant cotton cultivars,while JM-169,XM-33B,SCRC-28,and LNM-18 were identified as low P-sensitive cotton cultivars.The relationship between field and hydroponic screening results for low-P-tolerant cotton cultivars was strong,although field validation is still required.The low P tolerance of these cultivars was closely associ-ated with SDW and PUES.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Non-profit Scientific Institution(No.1610132022015)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDB0750200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22176198).
文摘Reclaimed water for irrigation or hydroponic cultivation provides exposure pathways for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAS)to enter the human food chain.This study employed hydroponic methods to investigate the behavior of legacy PFAS and emerging chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acids(Cl-PFESAs)in lettuce grown under environment-related exposure levels and assessed the human exposure risks from consuming contaminated lettuce.Overall,PFAS in lettuce were concentration-dependent,with long-chain PFAS tending to accumulate in roots and short-chain PFAS accumulating more in shoots.The enrichment of PFAS in lettuce was jointly influenced by their chain length and polar functional groups.Specifically,the root concentration factors(RCFs)of PFAS generally increased with increasing chain length,and RCF values of most perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids(PFSAs)were significantly higher than those of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids(PFCAs)with the same chain length(p<0.01),while the translocation factors(TFs)exhibited opposite trends.RCF values of perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS)and its alternatives,Cl-PFESAs,were ranked as follows:8:2 Cl-PFESA(mean:139)>6:2 Cl-PFESA(28.6)>PFOS(25.7),which was attributed to the increased molecular size and hydrophobicity resulting from the insertion of ether bonds and additional CF2 in 8:2 Cl-PFESA.Notably,TF value of 8:2 Cl-PFESA(mean:0.007)was the smallest among all PFAS,indicating 8:2 Cl-PFESA was difficult to transfer to nutritional compartments.Adults and children would exceed the most conservative health-based reference dose(RfD)by consuming approximately 15.9–148 g and 7.92–74.0 g of contaminated lettuce per day,implying high health risks.
基金supported by the China Agriculture Research System of Ministry of Finance (MOF)and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) (No.CARS-23-B15).
文摘In recent years,biochar has attracted considerable attention for soil quality improvement and carbon sequestration due to its unique physicochemical properties.However,the mechanism by which biochar application negatively affects the growth of crop seedlings has not been fully investigated.In this study,a hydroponic experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of rice,wheat,and corn seedlings to biochar application(CK,0 g/L;BC1,0.5 g/L;and BC2,1.0 g/L).Compared with the CK treatment,the BC1 and BC2 treatments decreased the fresh shoot and root weights of rice and corn seedlings(P<0.05),but there was no significant effect on wheat seedlings(P>0.05).For the contents of nutrient elements in seedlings,both BC1 and BC2 treatments hindered the roots from absorbing Fe and Cu and increased the uptake of Ca and Mn.Compared with the CK treatment,the translocation factor(TF)values of Ca,Mn,and Zn were significantly decreased especially in rice seedlings(35.3%-36.8%,68.7%-76.5%,and 29.8%-22.0%,respectively)under the BC1 and BC2 treatments,while only Mn was significantly decreased in wheat and corn seedlings(P<0.05).Transmission electron microscope(TEM)analysis of root cross-sections showed that nano-sized biochar particles(10~23 nm)were found in the root cells under BC2 treatment conditions.Our findings reveal that a large amount of biochar application can reduce nutrient absorption and translocation,and hinder rice,wheat,and corn seedlings,particularly rice seedling,in hydroponic system.
基金funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China(32101841)the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China(2021J01493)+2 种基金China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA(CARS-10-B14)the Fujian Provincial Public Research Institute of Fundamental Research(2017R1026-5)the Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences Research Project(AGP2018-12,GJYS202201).
文摘Sweet potato leaves are consumed globally for their nutritional and functional properties,with their taste characteristics significantly influencing their market value and consumer acceptance.However,the metabolic factors determining the taste of sweet potato leaves remain unclear.This study evaluated the taste and metabolic profile of sweet potato leaves cultivated in soil and hydroponic systems,revealing that hydroponic culture improved the taste of the leafy sweet potatoes.Using gas chromatography system(GC)-ToF-MS,200 metabolites were identified,encompassing most plant metabolic pathways.A comparison of good-tasting vs.poor-tasting sweet potato leaves identified 71 metabolites associated with taste quality formation.Poor-tasting leaves exhibited lower levels of amino acid metabolites and higher levels of carbohydrate and secondary metabolites.This research provides novel insights into enhancing the taste of leafy sweet potatoes.
基金Supported by Science and Technology Innovative Leading Fund of Ningxia Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences(NKYZ-16-1101)~~
文摘Temperature, as an important feature of hydroponic nutrient solution, is closely related to dissolved oxygen content of nutrient solution and growth status of plant roots. How to precisely adjust the temperature of nutrient solution is the key to obtain high quality and high yield of hydroponic vegetables over summer. With Lactuca sativa vat. crispa ＇Luosheng No.3＇ as the test material, the effect of chiller cooling technology on the temperature of nutrient solution, as well as on the yield and quality of Luosheng No.3, in over-summer hydroponic cultivation was studied. The results showed that the chiller cooling technology controlled the nutrient solution temperature in a reasonable range （（20 ± 1）℃） and promoted the growth and dry matter accumulation of Luosheng No.3, instead of affecting the quality. In short, the chiller cooling technology is applicable to the temperature regulation of nutrient solu- tion in hydroponics over summer.
基金Supported by Key Scientific and Technological Project of Henan Province(072102150001)~~
文摘[Objective] The experiment aimed to study the growth characteristics of hydroponic bowl lotus. [Method] The lotus variety Hongxia was chosen as the experimental material. Two treatments, hydroponics and soil culture were set to measure their photosynthetic indices, chlorophyll content and root vigor, and to observe their leaf tissue structure and stomatal characteristics. [Result] The findings indicated that there are no differences in the leaf physiological indices between bowl lotus under hydroponics and soil culture, while the leaf stomata of hydroponic bowl lotus is bigger and its amount is larger than that of soil-culture bowl lotus. At the same time, the ratio of the palisade tissue thickness to spongy tissue thickness is small,and its leaf tissue structure is loose. The root vigor of hydroponic bowl lotus reached its summit earlier, then began to drop. Whereas, the root activity of soil-culture lotus sustained increasing, with vigorous growth. [Conclusion] Therefore, it indicated that hydroponic bowl lotus can adapt to the aquatic-culture environment well and quickly, meanwhile, it also enters into its aging period quickly and its growth cycle gets shorter.
文摘Hydroponic culture is a controlled systems use a soilless growing media,supply all of the plant’s nutrition in the plant’s solutions(water with dissolved fertilizers),result in higher yields of vegetables,flowers,herbs and others crops.Hydroponic systems derive in many various forms and types.Most traditional hydroponic systems are extremely specialized,controlled-environment production systems.Organic hydroponics is a system that is arranged based on organic agriculture of culture.Different approaches are used for controlling of plant pathogens such as physical,chemical,biological controls,biofertilizers,bioremediators and integrated pest management.All the required nutrients are supplied in controlled amounts,including organic crops.This article discuss the way for promoting organic hydroponics systems and to help the small-scale producer make decisions about follow this markets,production methods,and disease control.
文摘In this paper, the authors studied the effect of different mixtures of glycine (Gly), isoleucine (Iso), proline (Pro), and urea solutions used as a partial (20%) replacment of nitrate in the nitrate content and quality of non-heading Chinese cabbage and lettuce in hydroponice. Five treatments were done 12 d before harvest. Compared to the control group, Gly had the best effect in reducing the nitrate content of both vegetable leaves and petioles; the mixture of Gly, Iso and Pro ranked second and urea the least. Treatments with amino acid could also increase soluble sugar and protein contents and enhance total-N in leaves significantly. In contrast, amino acid enhanced NRA in non-heading Chinese cabbage, while they decreased it slightly in lettuce. The results showed that amino acids and urea could reduce the nitrate content of both vegetables, but they had almost the same effect on non-heading Chinese cabbage. Moreover, amino acids were more effective than urea in lettuce. As a result, it was concluded that partial replacement of nitrate with amino acids not only reduced the nitrate content but also improved the quality of vegetables.
基金supported by the program for the New Century Excellent Talents in University of China (NCET-06-0819)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30671272 & 30370882)+2 种基金the Foundation for the Author of National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of China (200458)the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program,2006AA10Z179, 2006AA10Z1F8)the Scientific Research Fund of Sichuan Provincial Education Department, China.
文摘Aluminum （Al） toxicity often takes place in acidic soils with a pH of 5.5 or lower. Breeding and cultivation of Al tolerance wheat can partially protect wheat escaping from Al toxicity. The scarcity of the tolerant sources impedes the wheat breeding. In order to find new Al tolerance sources, we screened 173 bread wheat landraces from Tibet of China using hydroponic screening. It was indicated that： （1） There were diversities on the root regenerate length （RRL）. The RRL of a large of landraces were longer than 7.00 cm in pH 7 （58.38%） and pH 4.5 （66.47%）, but shorter than 5.00 cm in pH 4.5 ＋50μM Al^3＋ （80.93%）. The low pH showed either promotion or restraining effects depend on landraces, but Al toxicity under low pH only showed restraining effects on the root elongation. （2） There were also diversities on root tolerance index of low pH （RTI 1） or root aluminum tolerance index （RTI2） among cultivars. The RTI1 varied from a narrow range but with relatively high value （0.8722-1.2953） in comparison with that of RTI2 （0.3829-1.0058）, and the RTI1 of approximately 60% landraces was higher than 1.0000, the RTI2 of only 19.07% landraces was higher than 0.7000, suggesting that Al toxicity acted as an important factor for the reduction of the root elongation under acidic soils. （3） The RTI 1 of many wheats was higher than 1.0000, and As2256 and As2295 were the most tolerant for low pH, with RTI1 1.2953 and 1.2925, respectively. （4） Based on RTI2, seven wheats showed similar or higher tolerance to Al toxicity than Chinese Spring （CS）, a known tolerance wheat. Much better tolerance existed in landraces of As1543 and As1242, which can be used as the new parents for Al tolerant breeding.
文摘Vertical flow constructed wetlands is a typical ecological sanitation system for sewage treatment. The removal rates for COD, BOD 5, SS, TN, and TP were 60%, 80%, 74%, 49% and 79%, respectively, when septic tank effluent was treated by vertical flow filter. So the concentration of COD and BOD\-5 in the treated effluent could meet the quality standard for irrigation water. After that the treated effluent was used for hydroponic cultivation of water spinach and romaine lettuce, the removal efficiencies of the whole system for COD, BOD\-5, SS, TN and TP were 71 4%, 97 5%, 96 9%, 86 3%, and 87 4%, respectively. And it could meet the integrated wastewater discharge standard for secondary biological treatment plant. It was found that using treated effluent for hydroponic cultivation of vegetables could reduce the nitrate content in vegetables. The removal rates for total bacteria and coliform index by using vertical flow bed system with cinder substrate were 80%—90% and 85%—96%, respectively.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40571141, 410713061)
文摘Previous soil pot and field experiments demonstrated that co-cropping the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii with maize increased Zn phytoextraction by S. alfredii and decreased Zn uptake by maize shoots. This hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate whether the facilitation of Zn phytoextraction by S. alfredii resulted from improved dissolution in this co-cropping system and its relation to root exudates. S. alfredii and maize were mono-and co-cropped （without a root barrier） in nutrient solution spiked with four Zn compounds, ZnS, ZnO, Zn3（PO4）2 and 5ZnO·2CO3·4H2O （represented as ZnCO3 ） at 1000 mg/L Zn for 15 days without renewal of nutrient solution after pre-culture. The root exudates were collected under incomplete sterilization and analyzed. The results indicated that the difference in Zn salts had a greater influence on the Zn concentration in maize than for S. alfredii, varying from 210-2603 mg/kg for maize shoots and 6445-12476 mg/kg for S. alfredii in the same order： ZnCO3 〉 ZnO 〉Zn3（PO4）2 〉 ZnS. For the four kinds of Zn sources in this experiment, co-cropping with maize did not improve Zn phytoextraction by S. alfredii. In most cases, compared to co-cropped and mono-cropped maize, mono-cropped S. alfredii resulted in the highest Zn2＋ concentration in the remaining nutrient solution, and also had a higher total concentration of low molecular weight organic acids （LMWOA） and lower pH of root exudation. Root exudates did partly influence Zn hyperaccumulation in S. alfredii.
文摘The presence of AI in the rhizosphere of rice in acid soil restricts root growth and significantly reduces crop productivity. In this study, the effects of AI （30, 60 and 90 μg/mL） on seedling root growth, number of primary roots per seedling, seedling shoot length, number of leaves per seedling, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight were studied. Rice genotypes were classified into three different classes, namely, tolerant, moderately tolerant, and susceptible, based on root tolerance index. The method of hydroponic culture was modified, and elaborated in the text. Toxic levels of AI in nutrient solution significantly decreased seedling root growth, number of primary roots, seedling shoot length, number of leaves per seedling, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight. Few genotypes showed longer root length at 30 pg/mL AI in nutrient solutions compared with the control. High levels of AI in nutrient solutions were highly toxic for rice seedlings. Based on root tolerance index, Radhunipagal, Gobindobhog, Badshabhog, Kalobhog, UBKVR-11, UBKVR-16, UBKVR-18, Khasha and IVT4007-B were classified as tolerant genotypes, and these genotypes may be used as donors for breeding of Altoxicity tolerance.
基金supported by the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest, China (20130310104)the Key Technology R&D Program of Tianjin, China (12ZCZDNC09600)
文摘Here, the ozone-treated domestic sludge was diluted up to four different multiples and utilized as a nutritional source for hydroponic lettuce growth. Additionally, lettuce was cultured using the modified Hoagland nutrient solution as a control. The effects of ozone-treated domestic sludge on lettuce growth and nutrition were studied. Results showed that the lettuce treated with modified Hoagland inorganic nutrient solution had increased leaf number, plant height, fresh weight and dry weight compared to those treated with the ozone-treated domestic sludge dilution （P〈0.05）. However, the lettuce cultivated with the 2-fold ozone-treated sludge dilution showed significantly higher （P〈0.05） contents of chlorophyll, soluble sugar and ascorbic acid （Vc） compared to that treated with modified Hoagland nutrient solution. And the nitrate concentration in the lettuce cultured with the 2-fold ozone-treated sludge dilution was 53.93% less than that cultured with the modified Hoagland nutrient solution, which was a significant improvement （P〈0.05）. This study suggested that the 2-fold ozone-treated sludge dilution is optimal for lettuce hydroponic nutrient requirements.
文摘Hydroponically-grown produce may be a way of helping to feed the world a variety of fruits and vegetables, regardless of soil quality, space availability or climate. The objective of this study was to determine whether hydroponicallygrown lettuce contains as much ascorbic acid and tocopherol as soil-grown lettuce. We analyzed four varieties of lettuce, including: Waldmann’s Dark Green, Red Lollo Antago, Red Romaine Annapolis, and Butterleaf. The tocopherol content of hydroponically-grown Waldmann’s Dark Green, Red Lollo Antago, and Red Romaine Annapolis was 229%, 497% and 492% higher, respectively, compared to their soil-grown counterpart. The ascorbic acid content of hydroponically-grown Waldmann’s Dark Green, Red Lollo Antago, and Red Romaine Annapolis was 93%, 171% and 216% higher, respectively, compared to their soil-grown counterparts. Hydroponically grown lettuce varieties are significantly higher in both ascorbic acid and tocopherol content than their soil-grown counterparts, and hydroponic gardening is a viable option for producing nutritious fruits and vegetables.
文摘Soil temperature influences crop growth and quality under field and greenhouse conditions;however, precise investigation using controlled cultivation systems is largely lacking. We investigated effects of root-zone temperatures on growth and components of hydroponically grown red leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Red Wave) under a controlled cultivation system at 20°C. Compared with ambient root-zone temperature exposure, a 7-day low temperature exposure reduced leaf area, stem size, fresh weight, and water content of lettuce. However, root-zone heating treatments produced no significant changes in growth parameters compared with ambient conditions. Leaves under low root-zone temperature contained higher anthocyanin, phenols, sugar, and nitrate concentrations than leaves under other temperatures. Root oxygen consumption declined with low temperature root exposure, but not with root heating. Leaves of plants under low rootzone temperature showed hydrogen peroxide production, accompanied by lipid peroxidation. Therefore, low temperature root treatment is suggested to induce oxidative stress responses in leaves, activating antioxidative secondary metabolic pathways.
基金Supported by University Research Project of Education Dpartment(2018A-035)~~
文摘[Objective] Iron deficiency is one of the most important crop element deficiencies in the Loess Plateau of northwestern China. The selection for crop cultivars that are tolerant to low iron levels could be one of the approaches to solving the problem and improving crop production. [Method] Three major apple root stock species （Malus prunifolia, Malus sieversii and Malus baccata） were selected to evaluate their tolerance to iron defciency in hydroponic system. A 3×2 factorial pot experiment was conducted with three replicates in a greenhouse at Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China. [Result] The SOD, POD and CAT activities in roots and stems of the 3 root stock species in Fe-defcient Hoagland solution decreased, however Malus sieversii got the less reduction and had better root architecture and growth than the other species. The aboveground biomass, plant height, chlorophyll content, total root length and lateral root number were correlated positively with iron-defciency stress tolerance. The species’ tolerance to iron-defciency from high to low was M. sieversii’s〉M. baccata’s〉M. prunifolia’s. Moreover, the improvement of some morphological features such as root length, above-ground biomass, plant height and lateral root number in apple could be conducive to breeding cultivars with tolerance to iron-defciency stress. [Conclusion] Malus sieversii had better tolerance to iron-defciency stress than the others in this study.
文摘Screening cultivars to grow under conditions of low phosphorus (P) availability and utilize P efficiently from compounds of low solubility in soils may be beneficial to overcome poor plant growth in P-deficient soils. The growth behavior and P utilization efficiency of seven wheat cultivars grown in hydroponics were studied, using rock phosphate as P source. The wheat cultivars grown for 30 days were significantly different in biomass accumulation, P uptake and P utilization efficiency. The dry matter production of all the cultivars was significantly correlated with P uptake, which in turn correlated to the drop in the root medium pH. The ranking of wheat cultivars on the basis of dry matter yield, P uptake and P utilization efficiency was Zamindar 80 > Yecora > C 271 > WL 711 > Barani 83 > PARI 73 > Rohtas. The cultivar Zamindar 80 appeared to possess the best growth potential in P-deficient soils.
文摘There is growing concern about food safety, environmental impact, and efficient energy usage in agricultural production systems. Producing lettuce under artificial lighting could be a solution addressing these concerns. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer the advantages of a narrow light spectrum, low power consumption, and little heat production. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different light sources on the growth of miniature “Tom Thumb” butterhead lettuce in a non-circulating hydroponic system. Lettuce seedlings, started in Oasis Horticubes, were transferred to net pots in containers with a hydroponic nutrient solution. The lettuce was grown in a lab under three light treatments—blue LEDs, red LEDs, and fluorescent lights. At the end of the study, fluorescent lights resulted in greater root dry weight than blue LEDs and red LEDs. Total plant dry weight under fluorescent lights was greater than under red LEDs. There were no significant differences in shoot dry weight and plant height among the treatments. Percent partitioning of dry weight to shoots was greatest with red LEDs, followed by blue LEDS, and fluorescent lights. Percent partitioning of dry weight to roots was greatest with fluorescent lights, followed by blue LEDS, and red LEDs. Leaf chlorophyll content was greater under blue LEDs and fluorescent lights than red LEDs. The pH of the nutrient solution of the blue LED and the fluorescent light treatments were greater than the red LED treatment. Electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution of the fluorescent light treatment was greater than the blue LED treatment and the red LED treatment. In conclusion, LEDs could provide an alternative lighting source for miniature lettuce production.
基金Supported by Lishui Science and Technology Bureau(20150408)~~
文摘Hydroponic and aeroponic technology is to grow plants in an air or mist environment instead of using soils. The research reviewed pyramid-shaped hydro- ponic and aeroponic system and made conclusions from base construction, process of the cultivation and daily management.
文摘Hydroponic growing methods are growing in popularity and seem to have numerous benefits (i.e., environmental, increased product yields, year round growing) compared to soil grown crops. Although these advantages are attractive, they do not guarantee a high quality product. Taste is a driver of consumer acceptance;therefore, sensory analysis of the hydroponic product will be an important indicator in its success. In this study, we evaluated the sensory differences and preferences in hydroponically grown and soil-grown strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) using unspecified discriminatory and preference analyses, and descriptive testing correlated with nutrition content data. Most (87%) of participants could identify differences between hydroponically and soil grown strawberries and 70% preferred the hydroponically grown strawberry (p = 0.06). The nutrient composition of the strawberries significantly influenced several sensory analysis categories (sweetness, overall flavor and overall taste (p < 0.05)). The use of sensory studies in relation to consumer acceptance and nutrient quality will be an important factor to consider for exploring growing methods and techniques in hydroponic technology.
