Bio-product as a nutritional approach for sustainable hydroponic lettuce cultivation
Abstract Hydroponic plant production continues to expand, largely relying on chemical fertilizers for nutrient supply. In contrast, small-scale hydroponic systems for organic vegetable cultivation still require technological development and suitable inputs. This study aimed to evaluate the productio...
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| Format: | Article |
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Springer
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Discover Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07534-9 |
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| author | Eduardo Saldanha Vogelmann Jardel Böhmer Júnior Gizachew Ayalew Tiruneh |
| author_facet | Eduardo Saldanha Vogelmann Jardel Böhmer Júnior Gizachew Ayalew Tiruneh |
| author_sort | Eduardo Saldanha Vogelmann |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Hydroponic plant production continues to expand, largely relying on chemical fertilizers for nutrient supply. In contrast, small-scale hydroponic systems for organic vegetable cultivation still require technological development and suitable inputs. This study aimed to evaluate the production of organic lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., cv. Simpson) using different concentrations of a liquid bio-product in a sustainable small-scale hydroponic system built with recycled materials. The experiment was conducted in São Lourenço do Sul/RS, from October to November. Lettuce seedlings, 15 days after emergence, were transplanted into 2 L containers with nutrient solutions containing 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 ml L⁻1 of a liquid bio-product made from chicken manure, coffee grounds, wood shavings, brown sugar, and wood ash. Chemical characterization of the solutions, including pH, electrical conductivity, and macro and micronutrient content, was performed at the beginning and after 20 days. After 40 days, plants were harvested, and root and shoot dry mass was measured. The 50 ml L⁻1 concentration promoted the best results, significantly improving plant growth parameters such as root and shoot development, leaf area, and total biomass. Plants also showed increased uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These findings demonstrate that the bio-product can serve as an effective and eco-friendly alternative to conventional hydroponic nutrient solutions, especially for organic production. The results highlight the potential of bio-products to support sustainable agricultural practices, reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers, and improve the quality of crops grown in hydroponic systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0db63d626ff84051adc284a64a2d64d1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 3004-9261 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-0db63d626ff84051adc284a64a2d64d12025-08-20T04:03:06ZengSpringerDiscover Applied Sciences3004-92612025-08-017811510.1007/s42452-025-07534-9Bio-product as a nutritional approach for sustainable hydroponic lettuce cultivationEduardo Saldanha Vogelmann0Jardel Böhmer Júnior1Gizachew Ayalew Tiruneh2Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Campus São Lourenço do SulInstituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Campus São Lourenço do SulDepartment of Natural Resource Management, Debre Tabor UniversityAbstract Hydroponic plant production continues to expand, largely relying on chemical fertilizers for nutrient supply. In contrast, small-scale hydroponic systems for organic vegetable cultivation still require technological development and suitable inputs. This study aimed to evaluate the production of organic lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., cv. Simpson) using different concentrations of a liquid bio-product in a sustainable small-scale hydroponic system built with recycled materials. The experiment was conducted in São Lourenço do Sul/RS, from October to November. Lettuce seedlings, 15 days after emergence, were transplanted into 2 L containers with nutrient solutions containing 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 ml L⁻1 of a liquid bio-product made from chicken manure, coffee grounds, wood shavings, brown sugar, and wood ash. Chemical characterization of the solutions, including pH, electrical conductivity, and macro and micronutrient content, was performed at the beginning and after 20 days. After 40 days, plants were harvested, and root and shoot dry mass was measured. The 50 ml L⁻1 concentration promoted the best results, significantly improving plant growth parameters such as root and shoot development, leaf area, and total biomass. Plants also showed increased uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These findings demonstrate that the bio-product can serve as an effective and eco-friendly alternative to conventional hydroponic nutrient solutions, especially for organic production. The results highlight the potential of bio-products to support sustainable agricultural practices, reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers, and improve the quality of crops grown in hydroponic systems.https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07534-9HydroponicsSustainableNutritionFertilityAgroecology |
| spellingShingle | Eduardo Saldanha Vogelmann Jardel Böhmer Júnior Gizachew Ayalew Tiruneh Bio-product as a nutritional approach for sustainable hydroponic lettuce cultivation Discover Applied Sciences Hydroponics Sustainable Nutrition Fertility Agroecology |
| title | Bio-product as a nutritional approach for sustainable hydroponic lettuce cultivation |
| title_full | Bio-product as a nutritional approach for sustainable hydroponic lettuce cultivation |
| title_fullStr | Bio-product as a nutritional approach for sustainable hydroponic lettuce cultivation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bio-product as a nutritional approach for sustainable hydroponic lettuce cultivation |
| title_short | Bio-product as a nutritional approach for sustainable hydroponic lettuce cultivation |
| title_sort | bio product as a nutritional approach for sustainable hydroponic lettuce cultivation |
| topic | Hydroponics Sustainable Nutrition Fertility Agroecology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07534-9 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT eduardosaldanhavogelmann bioproductasanutritionalapproachforsustainablehydroponiclettucecultivation AT jardelbohmerjunior bioproductasanutritionalapproachforsustainablehydroponiclettucecultivation AT gizachewayalewtiruneh bioproductasanutritionalapproachforsustainablehydroponiclettucecultivation |