Performance Evaluation of a Cascade Cropping System

Minimum environmental impact and improved resource efficiency is attainable for soilless cascade systems where the nutrient solution drained from a primary (donor) crop reused to fertigate secondary (receiver) crop. However, it not clear whether can completely satisfy needs of if productivity compromised. To test this hypothesis, prototype system was developed evaluated. assess performance in terms yield, water productivity, tomato used as crop, while lettuce, spinach parsley were tested crops under different drainage management strategies. Measurements plant growth, fresh dry matter production, leaf chlorophyll content, photosynthesis rate performed crops. In addition, use fertigation recorded. The results showed that yield increased by up 14% compared control treatment (monoculture fertigated standard solution). lettuce affected reuse solution. productivities plants with pure 50%, 30% higher than treatment, respectively. nitrogen phosphorus more 50% treatments.