Effect of the Matric Potential on Growth and Water, Nitrate and Potassium Absorption of Vegetables under Soilless Culture

To exploit the full potential of plants, it is essential to provide an adequate water balance during critical growth stages. With knowledge of the substrate's matric potential, it is possible to realistically measure the amount of water available to the plant. The objective of this research is to study the effect of the matric potential of the substrate on the growth of beans, lettuce, sweet peppers, watermelon, and cauliflower plants. The research goal was to evaluate the effect of the matric potential on the main fertigation parameters of horticultural plants. The plants were cultivated at the University of Almeria (Spain) in a controlled chamber in a pot with 250 mL of coconut fiber substrate from block propagation. For treatments T-15, T-30, T-45, and T-60, new irrigation was applied when easily available water (EAW) depletion levels of 15, 30, 45, and 60% were reached, respectively. The efficiency of the use of water (WUE), nitrate (NUE), and potassium (KUE) was measured. From T-15 to T-60, a significant effect was found for the absorption of water, nitrate and potassium, WUE, NUE, and KUE. T-60 reduced the plant growth by half. The largest growth was between 15 and 30% of the level of use of EAW. Two different models were constructed according to each plant. It is possible to have a small depletion in the available water and still have plant growth, if there is a balance between the air and water needs of the substrate.

Automated summary

This research aimed to investigate the impact of substrate matric potential on plant growth and found that plant growth is influenced by the water balance in the substrate. Within a certain range, optimal water use efficiency and fertigation parameters can promote plant growth.