Search Results (489)

Calendula officinalis L. is a widely used medicinal plant whose secondary metabolism and morphology are influenced by light. This study evaluated the effects of 2 and 4 h end-of-day (EOD) red/far-red (R:FR) and green (G) light on the growth, physiology, and phytochemical profile of hydroponically grown C. officinalis under a constant red/blue light background, compared with a red/blue control without EOD treatment. Morphological, physiological (gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence), biochemical (chlorophyll, anthocyanin), and chemical composition (attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)) were evaluated. EOD G 2h enhanced photosynthetic pigments, anthocyanins, and biomass, while control plants showed higher phenolic content. EOD R:FR induced stem elongation but reduced pigment and metabolite accumulation. GC-MS revealed organ-specific metabolic specialization, with flowers displaying greater chemical diversity than leaves. EOD G favored sesquiterpene diversity in flowers, while EOD R:FR increased nitrogen-containing compounds and unsaturated fatty acids. Vibrational data supported these shifts, with spectral signatures of esters, phenolics, and lipid-related structures. Bioactive compounds, including α-cadinol and carboxylic acids, were identified across treatments. These findings demonstrate that EOD light modulates physiological and metabolic traits in C. officinalis, highlighting EOD G as an enhancer of biomass and phytochemical richness for pharmaceutical applications under controlled conditions. Full article

Tetragonia tetragonioides, or New Zealand spinach, is a widespread halophyte native to eastern Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and naturalized in some Mediterranean regions. This underutilized vegetable is consumed for its leaves, raw or cooked. For the first time, we investigated the feasibility of using whole baby plants (including stems and leaves) as raw material for ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetable production. Our study assessed Tetragonia’s suitability for hydroponic cultivation over two cycles (autumn–winter and spring). We investigated the impact of increasing nutrient rates (only water, half-strength, and full-strength nutrient solutions) and plant densities (365, 497, and 615 plants m⁻² in the first trial and 615 and 947 plants m⁻² in the second) on baby plant production. We also analyzed the plants’ morphological and biochemical characteristics, and their viability for cold storage (21 days at 4 °C) as a minimally processed product. Tetragonia adapted well to hydroponic cultivation across both growing periods. Nevertheless, climatic conditions, plant density, and nutrient supply significantly influenced plant growth, yield, nutritional quality, and post-harvest storage. The highest plant density combined with the full-strength nutrient solution resulted in the highest yield, especially during spring (1.8 kg m⁻²), and favorable nutritional characteristics (β-carotene, Vitamin C, Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn). Furthermore, Tetragonia baby plants proved suitable for minimal processing, maintaining good quality retention for a minimum of 14 days, thus resulting in a viable option for the RTE vegetable market. Full article

Domestic wastewater discharge is the major source of pollution in Malaysia. Phytoremediation under hydroponic conditions was initiated to treat domestic wastewater and, at the same time, to resolve the space limitation issue by installing a hydroponic system in vertical space at the site. Water hyacinth (WH) was selected in this study to identify its performance of water hyacinth in removing nutrients in raw sewage under batch operation. In the batch experiment, the ratio of COD_initial/plant_initial was identified, and SPSS ANOVA analysis shows that the number of plant size factors was not statistically different in this study. Therefore, four WH, each with an initial weight of 60 ± 20 g, were recommended for this study. Throughout the 10 days of the batch experiment, the average of COD, BOD, TSS, TP, NH4, and color removal was 73%, 73%, 86%, 79%, 77%, and 54%, respectively. The WH biomass weight increased by an average of 78%. The plants have also improved the DO level from 0.24 mg/L to 4.88 mg/L. However, the pH of effluent decreased from pH 7.05 to pH 4.88 below the sewage Standard B discharge limit of pH 9–pH 5.50. Four WH plant groups were recommended for future study, as the COD removal among the other plant groups is not a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the lower plant biomass is preferable for the high pollutant removal performance due to the fact that it can reduce the maintenance and operating costs. Full article

Increased market demand for plant herbs has prompted growers to ensure a continuous and assured supply of superior nutritional quality over the years. Apart from the nutritional value, culinary herbs contain phytochemical benefits that can improve human health. However, a significant amount of research has focused on enhancing yield, frequently overlooking the impact of production practices on the antioxidant and phytonutritional content of the produce. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the yield, phytonutrients, and essential mineral profiling in selected aromatic herbs and their intricate role in nutritional quality when grown under different production systems. Five selected aromatic herbs (coriander, rocket, fennel, basil, and moss-curled parsley) were evaluated at harvest when grown under three production systems: in a gravel-film technique (GFT) hydroponic system and in soil, both under the 40% white shade-net structure, as well as in a soilless medium using sawdust under a non-temperature-controlled plastic tunnel (NTC). The phytonutritional quality properties (total phenolic, flavonoids, β-carotene-linoleic acid, and condensed tannins contents) as well as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were assessed using spectrophotometry, while vitamin C and β-carotene were analyzed using HPLC-PDA, and leaf mineral content was evaluated using ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry). The results show that the health benefits vary greatly owing to the particular culinary herb. The fresh leaf mass (yield) of coriander, parsley, and rocket was not significantly affected by the production system, whereas basil was high in soil cultivation, followed by GFT. Fennel had a high yield in the GFT system compared to in-soil and in-soilless cultivation. The highest levels of vitamin C were found in basil leaves grown in GFT and in soil compared to the soilless medium. The amount of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, β-carotene, β-carotene-linoleic acid, and DPPH, were considerably high in soil cultivation, except on condensed tannins compared to the GFT and soilless medium, which could be a result of Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) values (683 μmol/m²/s) and not favoring the accumulation of tannins. Overall, the mineral content was greatly influenced by the production system. Leaf calcium and magnesium contents were highly accumulated in rockets grown in the soilless medium and the GFT hydroponic system. The results have highlighted that growing environmental conditions significantly impact the accumulation of health-promoting phytonutrients in aromatic herbs. Some have positive ramifications, while others have negative ramifications. As a result, growers should prioritize in-soil production systems over GFT (under the shade-net) and soilless cultivation (under NTC) to produce aromatic herbs to improve the functional benefits and customer health. Full article

This study investigated the effects of macronutrient type and concentration on the biomass yield and biochemical composition of hydroponically grown wheat sprouts (HWS), with the aim of identifying fertilization strategies that optimize both productivity and feed quality. HWS were cultivated using a nutrient film technique over a 7-day period under controlled environmental conditions, with treatments including calcium nitrate (CN1–CN3), potassium phosphate (CP1–CP3), potassium sulfate (CK1–CK2), and a balanced NPK 20–20–20 fertilizer (NPK1–NPK3), each applied at three increasing concentrations. The quantitative parameters assessed included biomass yield per unit of dry seed (DP, kg kg⁻¹) and dry matter content (DM, %), while qualitative traits included crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), and ash content. Results indicated that balanced NPK fertilization significantly enhanced performance, with NPK3 achieving the highest biomass yield (6.39 kg kg⁻¹), CP (24.26%), CF (5.63%), and ash (16.0%) content. In contrast, CN3 treatments reduced yield (4.84 kg kg⁻¹) despite increasing CP (19.65%), indicating trade-offs between nitrogen enrichment and vegetative expansion. Phosphorus-based treatments (CP2–CP3) improved nutrient density without suppressing yield. Regression analyses revealed strong correlations between DM and both CF (R² = 0.81) and ash (R² = 0.71), supporting their utility as indirect indicators of feed quality. EE content remained stable (2.07–2.67%) across all treatments, suggesting its limited responsiveness to macronutrient manipulation. These findings highlight the importance of nutrient synergy in hydroponic systems and provide a practical framework for tailoring fertilization regimes to meet specific agronomic and nutritional objectives in precision livestock feeding and provide practical guidance for optimizing hydroponic livestock feed production. Full article

This study examined the effects of both nitrogen (N) rate and form on the growth, nutrient uptake, and quality parameters of hydroponically grown purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) during a spring cultivation cycle. Purslane was cultivated in a floating hydroponic system under either adequate or limiting N conditions. More specifically, under adequate N conditions, plants were supplied with NS where ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N) accounted for either 7% (Nr7) or 14% (Nr14) of the total-N. The limiting N conditions were achieved through the application of either an NS where 30% of N inputs were compensated with Cl (N30), or an NS where 50% of N inputs were balanced by elevating Cl and S by 30% and 20%, respectively (N50). The results demonstrated that mild N stress enhanced the quality characteristics of purslane without significant yield losses. However, further and more severe N restrictions in the NS resulted in significant yield losses without improving product quality. The highest yield reduction (20%) occurred under high NH₄-N supply (Nr14), compared to Nr7-treated plants, which was strongly associated with impaired N assimilation and reduced biomass production. Both N-limiting treatments (N30 and N50) effectively reduced nitrate accumulation in edible tissues by 10% compared to plants grown under adequate N supply (Nr7 and Nr14); however, nitrate levels remained relatively high across all treatments, even though the environmental conditions of the experiment favored nitrate reduction. All applied N regimes and compensation strategies improved the antioxidant and flavonoid content, with the highest antioxidant activity observed in plants grown under high NH₄-N application, indirectly revealing the susceptibility of purslane to NH₄-N-rich conditions. Overall, the form and rate of N supply significantly influenced both plant performance and biochemical quality. Partial replacement of N with Cl (N30) emerged as the most promising strategy, benefiting quality traits and effectively reducing nitrate content without significantly compromising yield. Full article

Hydroponics is currently one of the primary methods for soilless cultivation. Although the phenotype and quality of vegetables differ between hydroponic and soil-based systems, limited research has been conducted on the selection and breeding of pakchoi cultivars specifically suited for hydroponics. In this study, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were performed on the commercial traits, agronomic characteristics, and nutritional quality of 20 pakchoi parental lines grown under hydroponic conditions to classify and screen suitable germplasm for breeding. PCA reduced the 11 agronomic traits into two independent principal components, accounting for a cumulative contribution of 79.22%. Cluster analysis grouped the 20 parental lines into four categories based on the composite scores of agronomic traits and nutritional quality. Group 3 was selected for breeding programs aiming to develop high-yielding cultivars with a desirable morphology. For breeding targets emphasizing darker leaves and petiole coloration, Group 4 presented the most suitable germplasm. Group 1 was ideal for enhancing nutritional quality by offering parent lines rich in calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, and amino acids. Alternatively, Group 2 contained lines with high levels of soluble proteins, amino acids, and soluble sugars. Full article

Saffron, branded as Repron^®, is effective in slowing the progression of several neurodegenerative diseases. Its production, however, requires specific cultivation techniques and procedures that, together with low yields, make it expensive. To address this challenge, hydroponic cultivation has been adopted. Previous studies have shown that hydroponically cultivated saffron and Repron^® share comparable chemical compositions and neuroprotective effects under oxidative stress conditions. In this study, we evaluated the protective properties of extracts derived from Crocus sativus L. waste, compared with those of saffron derived from stigmas. Human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells were pre-treated with extracts of various plant waste fractions before being subjected to three stress conditions: H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress (500 μM, 3 h), lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.25 mg/mL, 24 h), and hyperglycemia (25 mM glucose, 96 h). Saffron Repron^® served as a positive control. The results revealed that the extract derived from C. sativus waste had superior protective effects against oxidative stress and inflammation by preserving the state of the mitochondria and tight junctions (ZO-1); conversely, the tepal extract alone was more effective under hyperglycemic conditions by also modulating acrolein levels. These results suggest that different plant fractions contain bioactive compounds with specific protective actions, which together lead to increased cell survival. Full article

This study introduces a deep learning (DL)-based optimal condition monitoring and control system tailored to indoor smart greenhouses, with a novel focus on maintaining symmetry—defined as a dynamic equilibrium among temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels—critical in plant growth. A hydroponic greenhouse prototype was developed to capture real-time climate data at high temporal resolution. A custom 1D convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) optimized via a genetic algorithm (GA) was employed to predict environmental fluctuations, achieving R² scores up to 0.99 and a standard error of prediction (SEP) as low as 0.35%. The system then actuated climate control mechanisms to restore and maintain symmetry. Experimental validation revealed that plants grown under the symmetry-aware control system exhibited significantly improved growth metrics. The results underscore the potential of integrating symmetry-aware DL strategies into precision agriculture in achieving sustainable and resilient plant production systems. Full article

The effect of white and additional red and blue LED lighting at night (Blue-NLL, Red-NLL) and during the pre-harvest period (Blue-P-hLL, Red-P-hLL) on morphological and physiological parameters, elemental composition, content of polyphenols, and essential oils of purple basil cultivars ‘Ararat’ and green basil ‘Tonus’ grown in the hydroponic conditions of the climatic chamber was studied. The height of the plants was determined by the variety and the LED irradiation period. The highest purple basil plants were obtained in the variant with Blue-NLL illumination; the highest green basil plants were obtained under Blue-P-hLL and Red-P-hLL. The red spectrum, regardless of the lighting period and variety, increased the area and number of leaves, biomass, and vegetative productivity. Significant changes in the elemental composition of the vegetative mass of basil varieties were determined by the period of exposure to the red spectrum. Red-P-hLL stimulated the absorption and accumulation of Mg, Ca, S, and P from the nutrient solution, and Red-P-hLL reduced the nitrate content by more than 30.00%. Blue-NLL lighting increased the content of quercetin, rosmarinic acid, and essential oil and reduced the nitrate content in the vegetative mass by more than 40.00%. The effectiveness of the white LED was observed in increasing the vegetative mass of ‘Tonus’. The results of this study will be in demand in the real sector of the economy when improving resource-saving technologies for growing environmentally friendly leafy vegetable crops with improved chemical composition and high vegetative productivity. Full article

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of neodymium (Nd: 0, 2.885, 5.770, and 8.655 mg L⁻¹, referred to as Nd0, Nd1, Nd2, and Nd3, respectively) and zinc (Zn: 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mg L⁻¹, designated as Zn1, Zn2, and Zn3, respectively), as well as their combined interaction, on the nutritional content of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) cv. Ruby Sky. The seedlings were grown in a floating hydroponic system under greenhouse conditions. After 48 days of treatment, leaf samples were collected to determine their nutrient content. Leaf contents of N, P, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, B, and Nd were higher with the Nd1 (2.885 mg Nd L⁻¹ + Zn1 (0.1 mg Zn L⁻¹) treatment. The Nd3 (8.655 mg Nd L⁻¹) + Zn3 (0.3 mg Zn L⁻¹) treatment significantly increased the leaf contents of Cu and Zn. The K content was higher in leaves treated with Nd2 (5.770 mg Nd L⁻¹) + Zn3 (0.3 mg Zn L⁻¹). The joint application of Nd and Zn had positive effects on the nutrition of hydroponic lettuce, and Nd promoted the biofortification of lettuce by increasing leaf Zn content. Full article

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmentally persistent contaminants that pose growing food safety concerns due to their potential for accumulation in edible crops. This study investigated the uptake, translocation, and tissue distribution of 11 PFAS compounds in two hydroponically grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars, Agila and Bonaly. Additionally, PFAS accumulation in Agila was assessed under field conditions in a PFAS-contaminated area. Under hydroponic conditions, lettuce plants at two developmental stages (28 and 56 days after sowing) were exposed to a mixture of PFAS at concentrations of 10 and 20 µg L⁻¹ each. Under such conditions, Agila cultivar accumulated considerably higher levels of long-chain PFAS in both root and leaf tissues over time, whereas Bonaly cultivar demonstrated a more pronounced initial uptake and translocation of short-chain PFAS to leaves. Differently, Agila variety cultivated in a PFAS-polluted environment accumulated low concentrations of PFAS in leaf tissues, with only PFBA detected at minimal levels. The results emphasize the combined influence of plant variety, developmental stage, and cultivation methods on PFAS bioaccumulation, offering valuable guidance for food safety risk assessment and for developing targeted agricultural strategies in PFAS-contaminated areas. Full article

Plant-associated microbiomes play a critical role in plant health, nutrition, growth, and adaptation. This study aimed to investigate the formation pathways of the endospheric microbiome in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) through vertical (seed) and horizontal (substrate) transmission in hydroponic and soil environments. The bacterial microbiomes from the seeds, roots, leaves, and substrates were analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The seed microbiome contained 236 OTUs dominated by Verrucomicrobia (31%) and Firmicutes (29%). Rhizospheric soil contained 1594 OTUs, while the hydroponic solution had 448 OTUs. The root endosphere from soil-grown lettuce contained 295 OTUs, compared with 177 in hydroponic conditions, and the leaf microbiome contained 43 OTUs in soil and 115 OTUs in hydroponics. In total, 30–51% of the leaf and root microbiomes originated from the seed microbiota, while 53–65% of the root microbiome originated from the substrate. Microbiome overlap was observed between the rhizospheric soil and the root microbiome. This study provides new insights into the microbiome of lettuce seeds and the pathways of formation of the endospheric microbiome in adult plants. These findings lay the groundwork for future research aimed at better understanding microbiome dynamics in leafy crops and plant protection. Full article

Potamogeton crispus (P. crispus), with strong nitrogen uptake capacity, plays an important ecological role during winter and early spring when most aquatic plants are inactive. Its presence can also influence microbial denitrification in sediments by regulating oxygen levels and organic carbon availability. In this study, an indoor hydroponic simulation system was used to systematically evaluate the effects of P. crispus under different nitrogen-loading conditions on nitrogen removal from water, changes in sediment carbon and nitrogen fractions, microbial community structure, and greenhouse gas fluxes. The results showed that P. crispus effectively removed TN, NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N, and NO₂⁻-N, maintaining strong denitrification capacity even under high-nitrogen loading. Under all nitrogen conditions, TN removal exceeded 80%, while NH₄⁺-N and NO₃⁻-N removal efficiencies surpassed 90%, with effective suppression of NO₂⁻-N accumulation. Rhizosphere-mediated regulation by P. crispus enhanced the transformation and stabilization of DOC and NO₃⁻-N in sediments, while also mitigating nitrogen-induced disturbances to carbon–nitrogen balance. The plant also exhibited strong CO₂ uptake capacity, low CH₄ emissions with a slight increase under higher nitrogen loading, and N₂O fluxes that were significantly affected by nitrogen levels—showing negative values under low nitrogen and sharp increases under high-nitrogen conditions. Correlation analyses indicated that CO₂ and N₂O emissions were mainly regulated by microbial taxa involved in carbon and nitrogen transformation, while CH₄ emissions were primarily driven by methanogenic archaea and showed weaker correlations with environmental factors. These findings highlight the importance of water restoration during low-temperature seasons and provide a theoretical basis for integrated wetland management strategies aimed at coordinated pollution reduction and carbon mitigation. Full article

Water and nitrogen (N) availability are among the primary limiting factors for the productivity of tomato (Solanum licopersicum L.). This study evaluated the interaction between these factors by assessing the effects of different N concentrations (85.5, 128.3, 171.0, 213.8, and 256.1 ppm N) on the water consumption, growth, and photosynthetic efficiency of hydroponically-grown tomato plants. The variables that were analyzed included the leaf N content, leaf chlorophyll index (LCI), maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (the ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence; Fv/Fm), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), fresh mass (FM), dry mass (DM), cumulative water consumption, and water use efficiency (WUE). Increasing N concentrations led to higher water consumption and FM accumulation. Dry biomass was quadratically related to the N concentration, which peaked between doses of 213.8 and 256.1 ppm N. The LCI and Fv/Fm increased with the N supply, reaching a peak at N concentrations above 171 ppm, and then remained relatively constant. Conversely, the NPQ was reduced at the highest N level (256.1 ppm), which indicated diminished excess energy dissipation capacity. The highest WUE was observed at 213.8 ppm N, which was associated with greater DM and reduced water consumption compared to the highest N treatment. These findings suggest that the N concentration significantly affects the biomass production and water use in hydroponically-grown tomato plants, with 213.8 ppm N being the most efficient for vegetative growth under the studied conditions. Full article