Growth response of cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L.) cultivated hydroponically under contrasting cover and nutrient regimes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15517/4p60rz78Keywords:
soilless culture, plastic film mulches, artificial shade, fertigation, tropical agricultureAbstract
Introduction. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) cultivation in tropical regions faces challenges related to climate variability and hydroponic systems, requiring optimized strategies for irrigation, nutrition, and crop protection to improve productivity. Objective. To evaluate the effect of two types of protective cover (a plastic roof and 30 % red shade mesh) and two levels of nutrient concentration (high and low) on the growth and yield of hydroponically grown coriander during two rainy seasons. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Fabio Baudrit Moreno Agricultural Experiment Station in Alajuela, Costa Rica, during the rainy seasons of 2015 and 2016, using a hydroponic system with a stone-powder substrate. Two environmental conditions, protected and unprotected, and two nutrient levels, low and high, were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with split plots. Climatic variables, drainage electrical conductivity, cumulative drainage, nutrient leaching, crop growth, and yield were recorded. In 2015, a transparent plastic roof was used, whereas in 2016, red shade mesh providing 30 % shade was used. Data were analyzed using InfoStat statistical software, applying analysis of variance and Tukey’s test to compare main effects and interactions. Results. In 2015, protection and the high nutrient concentration increased plant height, marketable fresh biomass, dry biomass, and growth rate; additionally, protection reduced cumulative drainage. In 2016, yield response depended on nutrient concentration, with higher values under the high-nutrient treatment and no effect of protection. Conclusion. The high nutrient concentration promoted the growth and yield of coriander. Impermeable protection provided greater benefits than shade mesh because of its ability to reduce water entry, drainage, and nutrient losses.
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