Effects of Different Hydroponics Systems and Growing Media on Physiological Parameters of Spinach

Abstract

The experiment was conducted during rainy season of the year 2018 at M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha. This study attempted to investigate the potential of growing spinach using different hydroponics systems. For the cultivation of leafy vegetables, two different Hydroponic structures were designed like A-Frame hydroponics system and elevated trays hydroponics system. Three different types of growing media were used i.e. sawdust, coco peat and sterilized absorbent cotton. Modified Hoagland solution was used as a liquid medium. Data were collected on growth parameters like survival rate of seedlings, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area and fresh weight of foliage. The result showed that all physiological parameter values were recorded highest from plants grown in sawdust in the A frame hydroponics structure. Plants grown in coco peat media were at par to sawdust media in most of the cases while the lowest values were obtained in plants grown in sterilized absorbent cotton in the elevated tray hydroponics system