Yield of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) as a Function of the Concentration of Nutrient Solution

In the year 2013, in Mexico 491 hectares of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) were harvested. Recently, this crop has regained importance due to its nutraceutical properties due to its antioxidant content of Omega fatty acids. However, scarce information is available regarding its mineral nutrition. The objective was to evaluate the effect of the concentration of the Steiner nutrient solution on the yield of purslane 'Americana'. The experiment was set up in a greenhouse with plastic cover located at 18º 58’ 51’’ NL, 99º 13’ 55’’ WL and a height of 1866 m; in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. The substrate was germinating mix BM2 Berger^® and pots of six inches were used. The sowing was done on February 12, 2015. From sowing to germination, the pots were watered with purified water and since the seedlings had four leaf until plants were harvested they were watered daily with Steiner nutrient solution in percentages of 25, 50, 75, 100 y 125, corresponding to 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 dS·m^-1 of EC, respectively. The experimental unit was a potted plant, a completely randomized design with 7 replications was used and the yield (aerial biomass) to 46 days after sowing was evaluated. With 75 % y 100 % concentrations of Steiner nutrient solution the highest yield per plant (104.6 y 99.7 g, respectively) was obtained.