Cucumber Cultivation in Energy-Saving Hydroponic System Using Coconut Coir as Growing Media

Accession number;05A0579918
Title;Cucumber Cultivation in Energy-Saving Hydroponic System Using Coconut Coir as Growing Media
Author;URAYAMA HISASHI(Nihonkokusaikyoryokuse Tsukubashisho)   MATTHEWS LORATO J.(Nootigedacht Adc, Ermelo, Zaf)   COETZEE VINAL J.(Dept. Agriculture, Zaf)   YAMASHITA TADAAKI(Japan International Cooperation Agency, JPN)   
Journal Title;Japanese Journal of Tropical Agriculture
Journal Code:F0874A
ISSN:0021-5260
VOL.49;NO.2;PAGE.154-158(2005)
Figure&Table&Reference;FIG.2, TBL.6, REF.15
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;Japanese
Abstract;Energy-saving hydroponics could be applied as an alternative method to improve crop production. Coconut coir, an organic fiber, is readily available in tropical areas as a medium to replace rockwool for vegetable cultivation. We investigated the productivity of cucumber and compared the changes in the nutrient concentrations of coconut coir and rockwool used as growth media. Higher yields (16%) with a higher proportion of marketable fruits were obtained in cucumber plants grown in the coconut coir medium. The concentrations of nitrate, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus increased in both media during the growing period. Potassium and phosphorus concentrations in coconut coir were two and eight times higher than those in rockwool. The electrical conductivity, potassium and phosphorus concentrations in coconut coir increased 2.3, 4 and 17 times, respectively compared with those in the nutrient culture solution, while the calcium concentration decreased by one-fifth in the coconut coir medium. The amount of exchangeable calcium was also reduced by more than half in the coconut coir medium through exposure to the nutrient solution. These results suggest that calcium ion was immobilized in coconut coir. The concentrations of the chemical components in cucumber leaf obtained in plants grown in the two media were not affected, despite the existence of significant differences in the nutrient concentrations of the two media. (author abst.)