Testing the Effect of High pH and Low Nutrient Concentration on Four Leafy Vegetables in Hydroponics

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Abstract

Low nutrient and high pH of circulating water represent two of the main issues to overcome for a successful combination of aquaculture and hydroponics in aquaponics offering a sustainable and circular economy solution for vegetable production. The purpose of this study was to screen the tolerance of four herbs to high pH and low nutrient concentration in hydroponics, i.e., green and red basils, mint, and rocket salad, with a focus on plant yield and nutraceutical aspects. Results highlighted green basil as the most tolerant species to low nutrient and high pH conditions followed by mint. On the contrary, negative effects from high pH and low nutrient were reported on red basil and especially rocket salad, which strongly affect their marketability parameters. Rocket salad fresh biomass was more than halved under the combination of high pH and low nutrients. Results on green and red basil showed the importance of testing the tolerance to these agronomic conditions at both species and variety levels. Despite the reduction in biomass, leaf pigments were not influenced by high pH and low nutrients and therefore can be considered parameters of minor importance for the evaluation of these species. In conclusion, the tolerance of green basil and mint to high pH and low nutrients under hydroponic conditions has been highlighted. Further investigation coupled with fish farming will be able to reinforce the convenience of using these species for aquaponics.

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Salt tolerance and salinity effects on plants: a review.

Asish Kumar Parida, Anath Das (2005)

Plants exposed to salt stress undergo changes in their environment. The ability of plants to tolerate salt is determined by multiple biochemical pathways that facilitate retention and/or acquisition of water, protect chloroplast functions, and maintain ion homeostasis. Essential pathways include those that lead to synthesis of osmotically active metabolites, specific proteins, and certain free radical scavenging enzymes that control ion and water flux and support scavenging of oxygen radicals or chaperones. The ability of plants to detoxify radicals under conditions of salt stress is probably the most critical requirement. Many salt-tolerant species accumulate methylated metabolites, which play crucial dual roles as osmoprotectants and as radical scavengers. Their synthesis is correlated with stress-induced enhancement of photorespiration. In this paper, plant responses to salinity stress are reviewed with emphasis on physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance. This review may help in interdisciplinary studies to assess the ecological significance of salt stress.