Fertilizer and Cultivar Selection of Lettuce, Basil, and Swiss Chard for Hydroponic Production

1/31/2019 9:27:41 AM

HortTechnology American Society for Horticultural Science

Hardeep Singh 1 , Bruce Dunn 1 , Mark Payton 2 and Lynn Brandenberger 1 1Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, 358 Ag Hall,Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-6027 2Department of Statistics, 301 Math Sciences Building, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-6027

Each plant was scanned using two different chlorophyll meters (SPAD-502, Spectrum Technologies; and atLEAF, FT Green, Wilmington, DE) at the time of harvest. For each plant, SPAD and atLEAF readings were taken from three different mature leaves from the base, middle, and top of the plant. Two plant samples from each treatment were sent for nutrient analysis after harvest. Nutrient analysis of leaf samples was analyzed by the OSU Soil, Water and Forage Analytical Laboratory in Stillwater, OK, using a nutrient analyzer (TruSpec Carbon and Nitrogen Analyzer; LECO Corp., St. Joseph, MI). Foliar analysis was compared with recommended concentrations by Hartz et al. (2007) and Uchida (2000) to determine whether plant nutrient quality was within the recommended range. At the end of the study (5 weeks after transplanting), data were collected on shoot fresh weight and dry weight (plants were cut at the base and dried for 2 d at 57 °C).

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