A new study has found that by growing potatoes in a hydroponic growing system in bare wood fibre, yields can be approximately 300 per cent higher, the study published in npj Science of Food on June 3 said.
The growing system used drip irrigation and plastic bags as containers while testing three different types of wood fibre, two cultivars and two fertigation strategies. The study noted this caused a bump of about 300 per cent more tuber production compared to the local conventional farming.
“Mineral composition of the tubers obtained from hydroponic system was similar to the composition of tubers grown in the field and revealed potential for biofortification,” the study said.
The fertigation strategy with the two application points separated across the root zone also caused tubers with dry matter content comparable to the potatoes grown in soil. The study said the recyclability, reusability, and simplicity may encourage it to be used for improving security of food production in selected areas of the world as well as its utilization in urban agriculture.
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