Fish farming effluent and recirculation times on gas exchange and nutrition of hydroponic watercress

Efluente da piscicultura e tempos de recirculação nas trocas gasosas e nutrição do agrião hidropônico

ABSTRACT

The present study evaluated the potential use of fish farming effluent incorporated into the standard nutrient solution and recirculation time on gas exchange and macro and micronutrient contents of watercress in a hydroponic system. The study was conducted in randomized blocks, in a split-plot scheme with 4 replicates, in two experiments carried out in spring and summer seasons. Plots were composed of different proportions of nutrient solution (NS) and fish farming effluent (FFE): S1 (0% NS and 100% FFE), S2 (25% NS and 75% FFE), S3 (50% NS and 50% FFE), S4 (75% NS and 25% FFE), and S5 (100% NS and 0% FFE). Subplots consisted of two solution recirculation times (Time 1 – T1: 15 for 15 min and Time 2 – T2: 15 for 30 min), totaling 40 experimental plots. Net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, substomatal CO₂ concentration, SPAD index, and macro and micronutrient contents were evaluated. Net photosynthesis showed a quadratic fit in both cultivation cycles, with maximum values observed with use of 86.0% NS (spring) and 64.9% NS (summer). Leaf N and P contents indicate that the use of approximately 70% NS can be considered satisfactory, as it promoted the highest values of these macronutrients. Using fish farming effluent can enable the production of watercress in hydroponic systems, influencing the nutritional status of the crop.

Keywords:
Nasturtium officinale ; Mineral nutrition; Photosynthesis