Evaluation of Split Root Nutrient Film Technique (SR-NFT) for Yield and Tipburn of Hydroponically Grown Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) Under Differing Nutrient Concentrations
Previous research has shown the benefits of splitting nutrient application to plant roots either temporally or spatially. A split-root nutrient film technique (SR-NFT) was developed for lettuce where an NFT channel is divided longitudinally into two separate channels, each with its own input and dra...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Yuta Inoue Nicholas S. Kaczmar Chito F. Sace John Osborn Neil S. Mattson |
| author_facet | Yuta Inoue Nicholas S. Kaczmar Chito F. Sace John Osborn Neil S. Mattson |
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| description | Previous research has shown the benefits of splitting nutrient application to plant roots either temporally or spatially. A split-root nutrient film technique (SR-NFT) was developed for lettuce where an NFT channel is divided longitudinally into two separate channels, each with its own input and drain line. In this system, plant roots can be intentionally divided to supply different nutrient solutions without mixing them. Plant growth was observed using combinations of three different hydroponic fertilizer concentrations: EC 0.5 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup> (L, tap water), EC 1.8 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup> (M, nutrient solution), and EC 3.1 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup> (H, nutrient solution). For the same average concentration of solution (EC 1.8 dS∙m-1), SR-NFT that supplied different concentrations of solution on the left and right side (SHL, Left; EC 0.5 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>, Right; EC 3.1 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>) increased the shoot fresh and dry weight by 15%, shoot dry weight by 14%, and root dry weight by 25% without increasing number of tipburn leaves compared to conventional NFT (MM, EC 1.8 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>). In addition, the lowest concentration with SR-NFT (SML, Left; EC 1.8 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>, Right; EC 0.5 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>) reduced the number of tipburn leaves without reducing the shoot fresh weight in all conditions except SMM (Left; EC 1.8 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>, Right; EC 1.8 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>). In other words, the use of tap water on one side is expected to suppress tipburn or increase yield. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-a552028b646f4331b910845009ec455b2025-08-20T03:28:24ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-06-011513135010.3390/agriculture15131350Evaluation of Split Root Nutrient Film Technique (SR-NFT) for Yield and Tipburn of Hydroponically Grown Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) Under Differing Nutrient ConcentrationsYuta Inoue0Nicholas S. Kaczmar1Chito F. Sace2John Osborn3Neil S. Mattson4School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USASchool of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USASchool of Agriculture and Aquatic Sciences, Aurora State College of Technology, Bazal Campus, Maria Aurora, Aurora 3202, PhilippinesSchool of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USASchool of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USAPrevious research has shown the benefits of splitting nutrient application to plant roots either temporally or spatially. A split-root nutrient film technique (SR-NFT) was developed for lettuce where an NFT channel is divided longitudinally into two separate channels, each with its own input and drain line. In this system, plant roots can be intentionally divided to supply different nutrient solutions without mixing them. Plant growth was observed using combinations of three different hydroponic fertilizer concentrations: EC 0.5 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup> (L, tap water), EC 1.8 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup> (M, nutrient solution), and EC 3.1 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup> (H, nutrient solution). For the same average concentration of solution (EC 1.8 dS∙m-1), SR-NFT that supplied different concentrations of solution on the left and right side (SHL, Left; EC 0.5 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>, Right; EC 3.1 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>) increased the shoot fresh and dry weight by 15%, shoot dry weight by 14%, and root dry weight by 25% without increasing number of tipburn leaves compared to conventional NFT (MM, EC 1.8 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>). In addition, the lowest concentration with SR-NFT (SML, Left; EC 1.8 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>, Right; EC 0.5 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>) reduced the number of tipburn leaves without reducing the shoot fresh weight in all conditions except SMM (Left; EC 1.8 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>, Right; EC 1.8 dS∙m<sup>−1</sup>). In other words, the use of tap water on one side is expected to suppress tipburn or increase yield.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1350split rootnutrient concentrationNFThydroponicstipburnlettuce |
| spellingShingle | Yuta Inoue Nicholas S. Kaczmar Chito F. Sace John Osborn Neil S. Mattson Evaluation of Split Root Nutrient Film Technique (SR-NFT) for Yield and Tipburn of Hydroponically Grown Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) Under Differing Nutrient Concentrations Agriculture split root nutrient concentration NFT hydroponics tipburn lettuce |
| title | Evaluation of Split Root Nutrient Film Technique (SR-NFT) for Yield and Tipburn of Hydroponically Grown Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) Under Differing Nutrient Concentrations |
| title_full | Evaluation of Split Root Nutrient Film Technique (SR-NFT) for Yield and Tipburn of Hydroponically Grown Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) Under Differing Nutrient Concentrations |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of Split Root Nutrient Film Technique (SR-NFT) for Yield and Tipburn of Hydroponically Grown Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) Under Differing Nutrient Concentrations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of Split Root Nutrient Film Technique (SR-NFT) for Yield and Tipburn of Hydroponically Grown Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) Under Differing Nutrient Concentrations |
| title_short | Evaluation of Split Root Nutrient Film Technique (SR-NFT) for Yield and Tipburn of Hydroponically Grown Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i> L.) Under Differing Nutrient Concentrations |
| title_sort | evaluation of split root nutrient film technique sr nft for yield and tipburn of hydroponically grown lettuce i lactuca sativa i l under differing nutrient concentrations |
| topic | split root nutrient concentration NFT hydroponics tipburn lettuce |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1350 |
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