Evaluating Species-Specific Replenishment Solution Effects on Plant Growth and Root Zone Nutrients with Hydroponic Arugula (Eruca sativa L.) and Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

Managing nutrients in recirculating solutions can be challenging hydroponic production, and poor management practices rapidly result root zone nutrient imbalances reduced yield. Using mass balance principles to formulate replenishment is a proposed strategy reduce the need periodically replace solution. Objectives were (1) species-specific for arugula (Eruca sativa L.) basil (Ocimum basilicum using (2) evaluate effects of these on plant growth over time. In first experiment, tissues analyzed 42 d macronutrient concentrations which used custom both species. second resupplied time either or standard commercial Species-specific resulted decreased solution EC most macronutrients contrast, with increased calcium, magnesium, sulfate nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. Replenishment treatment had no effect yield basil; however, results suggested may have still occurred eventually treatments would effective scenarios where could formulated specific crop, mixed high-quality irrigation water, environmental conditions are controlled stable, such as indoor farming systems. This study highlighted several practical challenges considerations regarding formulation balance.