engleski

Stinging nettle cultivation in floating hydropon

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is a perennial plant which has been recognized as a promising plant species due to significant amounts of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. Wild nettle is widely used in medicine, food, textile and cosmetic industries as well as in organic production. Therefore, there is a need to introduce stinging nettle into agricultural production to avoid variation of chemical content and nutritive quality. However, stinging nettle as a nitrophilous plant has high demands for nitrogen but large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer may result with negative effects on the environment and human health. Application of floating hydropon, as a modern cultivation technology, can eliminate mentioned problems. Also, higher yield and increased number of harvests can be achieved in the period when the nettle is already dormant in the open field. The experiment was laid out according to the randomized complete block scheme with three replications in unheated greenhouse. The effect of three sowing densities (0.2, 0.5 and 0.9 g m- 2) and two substrates (perlite, vermiculite) on the stinging nettle yield and number of harvest were tested. Sowing was conducted in the first decade of September in 2012. During the nettle cultivation five harvests were realized: two in autumn (October 23, November 29) and three in spring period (March 15, April 16 and May 6). In autumn season plants grown in perlite had significantly more leaves (8.44 and 12.66) and the nodes (4.33 and 4.50) compared to those grown on vermiculite. Greater sowing density resulted in higher yield in autumn growing period while in the spring higher yield was recorded in the lowest sowing density. An equal yield of stinging nettle was achieved in vermiculite (0.93 kg m-2) during autumn and in perlite (1.08 kg m-2) during spring period. All tested parameters were significantly affected by sowing density×substrate interaction during the nettle cultivation. In autumn period the combination of vermiculite×0.5 g m-2 resulted with significantly highest yield (0.96 kg m-2) while in spring the highest yield (1.41 kg m-2) was achieved by combination of perlite×0.2 g m-2.

Urtica dioica L.; floating hydropon; sowing density; yield; multiple harvest

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