Alternative Growing Media Under the Same Fertigation Scheme Affected Mineral Accumulation and Physiological Parameters in Grapevine Cultivars

Under nursery conditions, various organic and inorganic growing media can be used for plant propagation. However, a common fertigation program may have varying effects on plant performance. This study evaluated alternative growing media under the same fertigation scheme in three indigenous Cypriot g...

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Main Authors: Nikolaos Tzortzakis, Antonios Chrysargyris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Horticulturae
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/479
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author Nikolaos Tzortzakis
Antonios Chrysargyris
author_facet Nikolaos Tzortzakis
Antonios Chrysargyris
author_sort Nikolaos Tzortzakis
collection DOAJ
description Under nursery conditions, various organic and inorganic growing media can be used for plant propagation. However, a common fertigation program may have varying effects on plant performance. This study evaluated alternative growing media under the same fertigation scheme in three indigenous Cypriot grapevine cultivars (Xynisteri, Maratheftiko, Giannoudi). Rooted cuttings were grown in pots containing soil, perlite, river sand, peat, and cocosoil. The plants were fertigated with a hydroponic nutrient solution with an electrical conductivity of 2.4 dS/m and a pH of 5.8. Xynisteri grown in peat and cocosoil accumulated minerals such as N and P while showing reduced levels of Na, total phenols, antioxidant capacity, and total flavonoids in the leaves. Additionally, plants exhibited low hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, indicating a non-stressful growing environment. Maratheftiko cultivar accumulated N in perlite, K in cocosoil, and P in peat and cocosoil media. When grown in soil, Maratheftiko showed higher phenol content and increased antioxidant capacity, which is correlated with elevated oxidative stress (higher MDA). Giannoudi appeared to be more adapted to soil and/or cocosoil media, as evidenced by its lower MDA content, total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity, compared to plants grown in perlite, sand, and peat. Chlorophyll and total carotenoid levels were increased in Giannoudi grown in soil. In conclusion, both growing media and fertigation practices should be tailored to optimize plant performance under nursery conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-d0afb2e5a5a6482088cb4ebf7f4e87972025-08-20T02:33:54ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-04-0111547910.3390/horticulturae11050479Alternative Growing Media Under the Same Fertigation Scheme Affected Mineral Accumulation and Physiological Parameters in Grapevine CultivarsNikolaos Tzortzakis0Antonios Chrysargyris1Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603 Limassol, CyprusDepartment of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603 Limassol, CyprusUnder nursery conditions, various organic and inorganic growing media can be used for plant propagation. However, a common fertigation program may have varying effects on plant performance. This study evaluated alternative growing media under the same fertigation scheme in three indigenous Cypriot grapevine cultivars (Xynisteri, Maratheftiko, Giannoudi). Rooted cuttings were grown in pots containing soil, perlite, river sand, peat, and cocosoil. The plants were fertigated with a hydroponic nutrient solution with an electrical conductivity of 2.4 dS/m and a pH of 5.8. Xynisteri grown in peat and cocosoil accumulated minerals such as N and P while showing reduced levels of Na, total phenols, antioxidant capacity, and total flavonoids in the leaves. Additionally, plants exhibited low hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, indicating a non-stressful growing environment. Maratheftiko cultivar accumulated N in perlite, K in cocosoil, and P in peat and cocosoil media. When grown in soil, Maratheftiko showed higher phenol content and increased antioxidant capacity, which is correlated with elevated oxidative stress (higher MDA). Giannoudi appeared to be more adapted to soil and/or cocosoil media, as evidenced by its lower MDA content, total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity, compared to plants grown in perlite, sand, and peat. Chlorophyll and total carotenoid levels were increased in Giannoudi grown in soil. In conclusion, both growing media and fertigation practices should be tailored to optimize plant performance under nursery conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/479<i>Vitis vinifera</i>organic and inorganic mediaplant growthoxidative stressminerals
spellingShingle Nikolaos Tzortzakis
Antonios Chrysargyris
Alternative Growing Media Under the Same Fertigation Scheme Affected Mineral Accumulation and Physiological Parameters in Grapevine Cultivars
Horticulturae
<i>Vitis vinifera</i>
organic and inorganic media
plant growth
oxidative stress
minerals
title Alternative Growing Media Under the Same Fertigation Scheme Affected Mineral Accumulation and Physiological Parameters in Grapevine Cultivars
title_full Alternative Growing Media Under the Same Fertigation Scheme Affected Mineral Accumulation and Physiological Parameters in Grapevine Cultivars
title_fullStr Alternative Growing Media Under the Same Fertigation Scheme Affected Mineral Accumulation and Physiological Parameters in Grapevine Cultivars
title_full_unstemmed Alternative Growing Media Under the Same Fertigation Scheme Affected Mineral Accumulation and Physiological Parameters in Grapevine Cultivars
title_short Alternative Growing Media Under the Same Fertigation Scheme Affected Mineral Accumulation and Physiological Parameters in Grapevine Cultivars
title_sort alternative growing media under the same fertigation scheme affected mineral accumulation and physiological parameters in grapevine cultivars
topic <i>Vitis vinifera</i>
organic and inorganic media
plant growth
oxidative stress
minerals
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/479
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