Σύγκριση υδροπονικών συστημάτων σε καλλιέργεια μαρουλιού

Abstract

In the present work, the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under two different hydroponic systems, the Nutrient Film Technology-NFT and the Pyramid system was studied. Both systems were constructed in the greenhouse and the cost of the systems’ construction and consumables was analysed. Following that, lettuce was grown, and basic morphological (number of leaves, plant height, root length, weight of fresh and dry tissue etc.) and physiological parameters (leaf fluoresces and chlorophyll content) as well as nutrient uptake (N, Na, P, K) and pH and electrical conductivity (EC) distribution on the nutrient solution, were measured. . The initial cost of the pyramid construction is lower comparing to the NFT construction for the lettuce production at the 1st crop, for the specific greenhouse area studied. The pyramid system is 2.3 times more productive in each crop cycle compared to the equivalent NFT system, resulting in increased benefits for the producer. Furthermore, plants grown in NFT had better growth and nutrient uptake compared to the relevant plants grown in pyramid system, however, no major differences observed for lettuce yield comparing the two systems.