Articles
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A DSS FOR DRAINAGE MANAGEMENT IN SEMI-CLOSED HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS
Article number
1034_64
Pages
509 – 516
Language
English
Abstract
The recycling of greenhouse effluents in soilless cultivation systems is environ-ment-friendly, since the waste of water and the disposal of nutrients to the environ-ment is drastically reduced or even eliminated.
However, a long-term recycling of the effluents may result in accumulation of Na+ and Cl– in the recycled nutrient solution.
The major aim of the present research was to test the performance of a Na+ mass balance model operating as part of a decision support system in a tomato crop grown in a closed-loop hydroponic system.
Three treatments were compared: a completely open, a completely closed and a semi-closed hydroponic system during one experimental period lasting from October 2011 to January 2012. The fresh water used for the preparation of the nutrient solution contained 2 mM NaCl.
During the total experimental period, the water uptake by the crop was relatively low, near to 130 L m--2, and thus, the concentration of Na+ in the closed system did not surpass the level of about 20 mM during the total experimental period.
Comparison between measured and simulated Na+ values gave fair results.
The system was efficient at minimizing the discharge of nutrient solution effluents in semi-closed hydroponic systems, thereby maximizing the water use efficiency.
However, a long-term recycling of the effluents may result in accumulation of Na+ and Cl– in the recycled nutrient solution.
The major aim of the present research was to test the performance of a Na+ mass balance model operating as part of a decision support system in a tomato crop grown in a closed-loop hydroponic system.
Three treatments were compared: a completely open, a completely closed and a semi-closed hydroponic system during one experimental period lasting from October 2011 to January 2012. The fresh water used for the preparation of the nutrient solution contained 2 mM NaCl.
During the total experimental period, the water uptake by the crop was relatively low, near to 130 L m--2, and thus, the concentration of Na+ in the closed system did not surpass the level of about 20 mM during the total experimental period.
Comparison between measured and simulated Na+ values gave fair results.
The system was efficient at minimizing the discharge of nutrient solution effluents in semi-closed hydroponic systems, thereby maximizing the water use efficiency.
Authors
N. Katsoulas, C. Kittas, T. Bartzanas, D. Savvas
Keywords
greenhouse, nutrient solution management, tomato, crop water consumption
Online Articles (77)