Evaluating recycling fertilizers for tomato cultivation in hydroponics, and their impact on greenhouse gas emissions

• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10461-4
• Publication Date: 2020-08-26T21:03:42Z
• Authors: Aladdin Halbert-H...; Franziska Häfner; Stefan Karlowsky; Dietmar Schwarz; Ariane Krause
• Keywords: Vinasse; Hydroponics

Abstract Soilless culture systems offer an environmentally friendly and resource-efficient alternative to traditional cultivation fitting within the scheme of a circular economy. The objective this research was examine sustainable integration recycling fertilizers in hydroponic cultivation—creating nutrient cycling concept for horticultural cultivation. Using film technique (NFT), three recycling-based fertilizer variants were tested against standard synthetic mineral fertilization as control, with 11 tomato plants ( Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Pannovy ) per replicate n = 4) treatment: two nitrified urine-based differing ammonium/nitrate ratio (NH 4 + :NO 3 − ), namely (1) “Aurin” (AUR) (2) “Crop” (CRO); well (3) organo-mineral mixture struvite vinasse (S+V); (4) control (NPK). closed chamber method adapted gas fluxes (N 2 O, CH , CO from root zone. There no indication differences total shoot biomass fresh matter uptake N, P K between control. Marketable fruit yield comparable NPK, CRO S+V, whereas lower yields occurred AUR. higher NH AUR associated increased susceptibility blossom-end-rot, likely due reduced translocation Ca. Highest sugar concentration found which may have been influenced by presence organic acids vinasse. N O emissions highest corresponded our hypothesis that positively correlate organic-C input amendments. Remaining treatments showed barely detectable GHG emissions. A urine low – (e.g., CRO) has high potential NFT cultivation, S+V proved supply sufficient adequate growth yield. Alternative strategies complement composition