Effects of hydroponic forms and nutrient solutions on some parameters related to yield and quality of celery (Apium graveolens)

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two forms of static hydroponics and dynamic hydroponics along with two nutrient solutions, BK-fast and Hydro Umat, on the growth and quality of celery plants. The results showed that "Thera" variety celery grown in the dynamic hydroponic system grew better than the static hydroponic growing in both studied solutions, with the plant height reaching 35.02 - 37.3 cm, 8.79 - 9.02 of leaves\plant, the fresh weight of 32.14 - 39.92 g. Regarding the quality parameters, the dynamic hydroponic form increased the content of reducing sugars, total organic acids and nitrate while reducing the content of the mineral elements including potassium, iron and magnesium that accumulated in the celery plant. For two nutrient solutions, Hydro Umat solution helped plants grow better and increased nitrate accumulation compared to BK-fast solution. However, the results on parameters containing of number of leaves\plant, reducing sugar content, the content of vitamin C and total organic acid were not statistical difference between celery plants nourished by these two solutions.