Electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution on the vegetative propagation of bell pepper and tomato

ABSTRACT: The optimization of resources and time in the production of quality seedlings within a legal framework is of vital importance for greenhouse vegetable crops. This study evaluated the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution and its effect on the survival and growth of bell pepper and tomato seedlings propagated by cuttings. The electrical conductivities evaluated were 0.92, 1.25, 1.50, and 1.75 dS m-1. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The number of rooted plants, stem diameter, root length, number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight of leaves, stem, root, and total were determined. In addition, the following indices were determined: stem root index, slenderness index, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, and pre-transplant horticultural quality index. In both crops, the highest number of rooted cuttings was obtained with the lowest electrical conductivity. Meanwhile, the average electrical conductivity favored leaf number, leaf area, biomass, and seedling quality indices. These results showed that the production of bell pepper and tomato seedlings can be done by cuttings using Stenier nutrient solution at electrical conductivities of 1.25 to 1.50 dS m-1 without affecting seedling quality.

摘要：在合法合规框架内优化优质种苗生产的资源与时间投入，对温室蔬菜作物而言至关重要。本研究评估了营养液的电导率（electrical conductivity）及其对扦插繁殖的甜椒与番茄种苗存活及生长的影响。本次评估的电导率取值为0.92、1.25、1.50及1.75 dS·m⁻¹。实验采用完全随机区组设计，设置4次重复。测定指标包括生根植株数、茎粗、根长、叶片数、叶面积、叶片干重、茎干重、根干重及总干重。此外，本研究还测定了以下指数：茎根指数、细长度指数、叶面积比、比叶面积以及移栽前园艺品质指数。在两种供试作物中，最低电导率处理下的插条生根数最高。与此同时，中等电导率处理更有利于提升叶片数、叶面积、生物量及种苗品质指数。研究结果表明，采用施泰纳（Stenier）营养液，在电导率为1.25~1.50 dS·m⁻¹的条件下开展甜椒与番茄的扦插种苗生产，不会对种苗品质产生不利影响。