2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Hydroponics is gaining increased attention for both commercial and home gardening application throughout the world, due to its efficient use of water and fertilizer and competitiveness in terms of cost and returns with field production. Among the various factors determining the cost and return of a hydroponic production system, nutrient solution is the most important one for crop yield and quality. This study evaluated three different fertilizers including Jack’s 5-12-26, Peter’s 5-11-26, and Dyna Gro 7-9-5. Sweet pepper ‘Bentley’ and ‘Orangella’ and eggplant cultivars ‘Jaylo’, and ‘Angella’ suitable for Dutch bucket greenhouse production were used. The pH of nutrient solution was maintained in range of 5.5-6.5, while the electrical conductivity was maintained in a range of 2.5-3.5. A fertilizer effect was found in both crops as plants grown in Dyna Gro became unproductive after 70 days and died a few days later. Fruit size from plants growing in Dyna Gro were smaller compared to plants grown in Jacks and Peters. Fruit weight of ‘Angella’ was comparatively higher than ‘Jaylo’. Fruit weight per plant per week and number of fruits was highest from plants grown in Jacks and Peters than plants grown in Dyna Gro. Incidence of blossom end rot was similar among all cultivars and fertilizers. After four months of production, both eggplant cultivars started producing undersized fruits in all fertilizer treatment and these small fruits showed yellow color as in over mature fruit.