Browsing by Subject "Root crops"
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Item Influence of nutrient solution and solution pH on onion growth and mineral content(Texas Tech University, 2003-08) Kane, Chad DThis study is a component of a project designed to develop a management strategy for growing onions in a closed growth system on a vehicular space setting. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of hydroponic nutrient solution and solution pH on growth and mineral content of green onions. Three onion varieties, Allium cepa L. ('Deep Purple' and 'Purplette') and A. fistulosum L. ('Kinka'), were propagated in three nutrient solutions (Peter's Hydro-Sol, Hoagland's, or half strength Hoagland's), at two pH levels (5.8 and 6.5), in a three by two factorial design applied in a randomized block with three replications. Seeds were germinated in Cropking's Oasis Horticubes™ under greenhouse conditions, and were irrigated with tap water. Once the seedlings reached the flag stage, the plants were placed into hydroponic units within the greenhouse and grown under ambient conditions. Plants were harvested 30 days after transplanting to the hydroponic units. Based on efficient plant growth, the half strength Hoagland's solution is the preferred nutrient solution evaluated in this research. However, Hydro-Sol generally produced onions with highest the mineral content. Mineral content varied with plant part,nutrient, nutrient solution, solution pH, and onion variety. Selection of an appropriate nutrient solution must consider both edible biomass production and mineral content. In the research reported here the solution that produced the greatest biomass did not produce plant material with the mineral content. Future research may lead to the development of a modified nutrient solution that optimizes both edible biomass production and mineral content