Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

CONSUMPTION, EFFICIENCY AND WATER CONTENT OF ARUGULA UNDER DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT OF BRACKISH NUTRITIONAL SOLUTIONS

ABSTRACT

The need to use strategies for using brackish water in agriculture, especially in semi-arid conditions, is evident. Based on this information, this study was developed with the aim of evaluating the consumption, efficiency and water content, as well as the dry mass of the arugula plants (cv. Broad Leaf) exposed to brackish nutrient solutions as a function of replacement strategies and circulation frequencies. The treatments consisted of six salinity levels of the nutrient solution (1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5 and 9.0 dS m-1) and two circulation frequencies (twice a day 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and three times a day at 8 a.m., 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.). In Experiment I, the evapotranspiration line was replaced with the respective brackish water used in the preparation of the solution, and in Experiment II, the water supply was used. In both treatments, the experimental design was completely randomized, in a 6 x 2 factorial scheme, with five replications. The conclusion is that it is technically feasible to circulate the nutrient solution twice a day and there were lower losses in the water relations, in the biomass production of the shoot and in the partition of photoassimilates when the replacement with water supply was adopted.

KEYWORDS
Eruca sativa; cultivation without soil; salinity

INTRODUCTION

In the context of the Brazilian semi-arid region, the low availability of surface water with compatible quality for irrigation constitutes one of the obstacles for the development of the agricultural sector, triggering socioeconomic losses, mainly in the context of family farming (Alves et al., 2011Alves MS, Soares TM, Silva LT, Fernandes JP, Oliveira MLA, Paz VPS (2011) Estratégias de uso de água salobra na produção de alface em hidroponia NFT. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 15:491-498.).

The lack of water is even more damaging when contextualized to the insufficiency of technical assistance and inputs, making indispensable the use of technologies developed and/or adapted to the hydrological, climatic, edaphic, land, infrastructure, and other characteristics of the semi-arid region. In this way, several researches (Alves et al., 2011Alves MS, Soares TM, Silva LT, Fernandes JP, Oliveira MLA, Paz VPS (2011) Estratégias de uso de água salobra na produção de alface em hidroponia NFT. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 15:491-498., Maciel et al., 2012Maciel MP, Soares TM, Gheyi HR, Rezende EPL, Oliveira GXS (2012) Produção de girassol ornamental com uso de águas salobras em sistema hidropônico NFT. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 16:165-172., Santos, et al., 2010Santos NA, Soares TM, Silva EFF, Silva DJR, Montenegro AAA (2010) Cultivo hidropônico de alface com água salobra subterrânea e rejeito da dessalinização em Ibimirim, PE. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 14:961-969.) highlight the technical viability of the hydroponic crop for this region of Brazil and suggest its improvement aiming at the use of brackish water in the production of vegetables and flowers as an alternative to generate the income in diffuse communities (Santos Júnior et al., 2016Santos Júnior JA, Gheyi HR, Cavalcante AR, Dias NS, Medeiros SS (2016) Produção e pós-colheita de flores de girassóis sob estresse salino em hidroponia de baixo custo. Revista de Engenharia Agrícola 36:420-432.).

While the elevation of salinity in the root environment impairs the nutrient absorption and reduces the plant evapotranspiration, it also negatively affects the crop production (Silva et al., 2012Silva AO, Soares TM, Silva EFF, Santos NA, Klar AE (2012) Consumo hídrico da rúcula em cultivo hidropônico NFT utilizando rejeitos de dessalinizador em Ibimirim-PE. Revista Irriga 17:114-125.). In the hydroponic crops, this energy ordering is reorganized, because the matrix potential tends to be zero, which makes the energy balance mainly function of the osmotic potential, that is, at the same saline level, there is less damage to the hydroponic plants than in soil conditions (Santos Júnior et al., 2016Santos Júnior JA, Gheyi HR, Cavalcante AR, Dias NS, Medeiros SS (2016) Produção e pós-colheita de flores de girassóis sob estresse salino em hidroponia de baixo custo. Revista de Engenharia Agrícola 36:420-432.).

In the case of leafy vegetables, whose socioeconomic role is relevant in the context of small farmers who use family labor, several studies evaluate the feasibility of using brackish water under hydroponic conditions (Paulus et al., 2012Paulus D, Paulus E, Nava GA, Moura CA (2012) Crescimento, consumo hídrico e composição mineral de alface cultivada em hidroponia com águas salinas. Revista Ceres 59:110-117.; Nunes et al., 2013Nunes RLC, Dias NS, Moura KKCF, Sousa Neto ON, Costa JM (2013) Efeitos da salinidade da solução nutritiva na produção de pimentão cultivado em substrato de fibra de coco. Revista Caatinga 26:48-53.; Rebouças et al., 2013Rebouças JRL, Ferreira Neto M, Dias NS, Souza Neto ON, Diniz AA, Lira, RB (2013) Cultivo hidropônico de coentro com uso de rejeito salino. Revista Irriga 18:624-634.; Bione et al., 2014Bione MAA, Paz VPS, Silva F, Ribas RF, Soares TM (2014) Crescimento e produção de manjericão em sistema hidropônico NFT sob salinidade. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 18:1228-1234.; Santos Júnior et al., 2014Santos Júnior JA, Gheyi HR, Dias NS, Medeiros SS, Guedes Filho DH (2014) Substratos e tempo de renovação da água residuária no crescimento do girassol ornamental em sistema semi-hidroponia. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 18:790-797.).

In addition, in the case of arugula, when salinity tolerance is considered moderately sensitive, already developed studies (Oliveira et al., 2013Oliveira FA, Sousa Neta ML, Silva RT, Souza AAT, Oliveira MKT, Medeiros JF (2013) Desempenho de cultivares de rúcula sob soluções nutritivas com diferentes salinidades. Revista Agro@mbiente On-line 7:170-178., Souza Neta et al., 2013Souza Neta ML, Oliveira FA, Silva RT, Torres Souza AAT, Oliveira MKT, Medeiros JF (2013) Efeitos da salinidade sobre o desenvolvimento de rúcula cultivada em diferentes substratos hidropônicos. Revista Agro@mbiente On-line 7:154-161., Silva et al., 2013Silva FV, Duarte SN, Lima CJGS, Dias NS, Santos RSS, Medeiros PRF (2013) Cultivo hidropônico de rúcula utilizando solução nutritiva salina. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Agrárias 8:476-482.) also prove the feasibility of using brackish water in their cultivation under hydroponic conditions, yet there are still insipient studies that recommend other strategies for the use of these waters and the management of brackish nutrient solutions, related to the water relations bias in the scope of consumption and water use efficiency, justified by the qualitative scarcity but also quantitative of water resources in the semi-arid environment.

Based on this information, this study was developed with the aim of evaluating the consumption, efficiency and water content, as well as the dry mass of the arugula plants (cv. Broad Leaf) exposed to brackish nutrient solutions as a function of replacement strategies and circulation frequencies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The experiments were carried out between September and December 2016, under greenhouse conditions, linked to the Department of Agricultural Engineering of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco - DEAGRI/UFRPE, in Recife-PE, (8° 01′ 05″ south latitude and 35° 56′ 48″ west longitude, and average elevation of 6 m). The climate of the place was classified as As, according to Köppen classification, tropical megathermal, with annual average rainfall of 1,501 mm, average temperature of 26°C and average relative humidity of 76% (Brasil, 1992Brasil. Ministério da Agricultura e Reforma Agrária (1992) Secretaria Nacional da Irrigação. Departamento de Meteorologia. Normas climatológicas (1961-1990). Brasília, EMBRAPA. 84 p.).

In the experimental environment, the temperature and relative humidity were monitored daily, with a maximum average temperature of 37.4°C and a minimum of 32.2°C, as well as an average RH of 61.4% and a minimum of 44.5%.

The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 6 x 2 factorial scheme, with five replications, totaling 60 experimental units. The treatments consisted of six salinity levels of the nutrient solution (1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5 and 9.0 dS m-1) and two circulation frequencies (twice at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and 3 times a day at 8 a.m.,12 p.m. and 5 p.m.). These treatments were replicated in two experiments carried out in sequence; in the first one, the replacement of the evapotranspiration line was performed with the respective brackish water used in the preparation of the nutrient solution and, in the second experiment, with the water supply (0.12 dS m-1).

The hydroponic system used consisted of a wooden support waterproofed with oil paint, with dimensions of 6.00 x 1.40 m, designed with capacity for 12 PVC pipes with 6 m of length and 100 mm of diameter, in level. In the tubes, circular ‘cells' of 60 mm diameter were drilled, equally spaced every 20 cm, considering the central axis of each cell.

At the end of the tubes, elbows were coupled, and a tap was added to one of the elbows for water outlet, inducing the permanence of a level of 4 cm throughout the length of the tube, aiming at the equitable and uniform distribution of the solution to the plants (Santos Júnior et al., 2016Santos Júnior JA, Gheyi HR, Cavalcante AR, Dias NS, Medeiros SS (2016) Produção e pós-colheita de flores de girassóis sob estresse salino em hidroponia de baixo custo. Revista de Engenharia Agrícola 36:420-432.).

The crop adopted was the arugula (Eruca sativa), cv. Broad leaf. The sowing was carried out in 180 ml disposable plastic cups drilled on the sides and bottom, which were filled with coconut fiber substrate; after the sowing, the daily watering (0.12 dS m-1) was applied in the morning and in the afternoon with water supply until 15 days after sowing (DAS), when the transplanting was performed. The germination cups, with seedlings and substrate, were then inserted into the tubes according to previously established treatments.

In relation to the preparation of the nutrient solution, initially twelve different reservoirs were filled with 90 L of water supply (EC 0.12 dS m-1) and then, based on the empirical equation of Richards (1954), the NaCl quantitative for the establishment of saline levels was calculated and solubilized, and after, the same amount of fertilizers proposed by Furlani et al. (1999)Furlani PR, Silveira LCP, Bolonhezi D, Faquim V (1999) Cultivo hidropônico de plantas. Campinas, Instituto Agronômico, 52 p. (Boletim técnico, 180). in all treatments was solubilized.

Regarding the management of the nutrient solution, with the specific frequency of each treatment, it was applied daily and manually twice the capacity of each tube, in order to homogenize and aerate the solution. The replacement of the evapotranspiration nutrient solution line was carried out every seven days, and the electrical conductivity (ECns) and the pHns of the nutrient solution were monitored daily.

It was evaluated at the end of the culture cycle (45 DAS): (i) water consumption (HC), based on the sum of weekly replenishments; (ii) the efficiency of water use in the production of fresh (EWU-FPS) and dry (EWU-DPS) phytomass of the shoot, through the relation between the fresh and dry mass produced in the shoot and the water consumption by plant; (iii) the water content in the plant (WCP), in the shoot (WCS) and the root (WCR), according to Benincasa (2003); (iv) the shoot biomass production index (SBPI), according to Benincasa (2003); and (v) the root shoot relation, according to Magalhães (1979)Magalhães ACN (1979) Análise quantitativa do crescimento. In: Ferri MG (Eds). Fisiologia vegetal. Editora da Universidade de São Paulo, p331-350.. At the end of the cycle, the photo assimilate partition was also evaluated in the shoot and in the root according to Magalhães (1979)Magalhães ACN (1979) Análise quantitativa do crescimento. In: Ferri MG (Eds). Fisiologia vegetal. Editora da Universidade de São Paulo, p331-350..

The results were submitted to the normality test and the analysis of variance through the F test. When the significance of the interaction between the treatments was observed, the statistical analysis was performed and its discussion was prioritized. In the other cases, the salinity levels of the nutrient solution were compared by regression analysis and the nutrient solution circulation frequencies using the Tukey test. All analyzes were carried out using the statistical software Sisvar (Ferreira et al., 2011) at significance level of 0.05 probability.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Under the replacement of the evapotranspirated level with brackish water, there was an increase of ECns at all saline levels tested, with a maximum variation of 14 and 13.32%, when two and three circulations of the nutrient solution were adopted daily, respectively, under the initial ECns of 9 dS m-1; however this ECns represented the highest osmotic potential tested and, consequently, the lower rate of water and nutrient absorption by the plants, similarly, it also corresponded to the higher contribution and accumulation of salts from the brackish water used in the replacement. In this tonic, the pH variation did not exceed 15% of the initial values, independent of the ECns or the circulation frequency of the nutrient solution.

The water supply replenishment (EC = 0.12 dS m-1) implied a reduction in the concentration of salts and a decrease in the initial ECns in the respective treatments, naturally under ECns of 1.5 dS m-1, a higher absorption rate of water and nutrients occurred, and the highest decreases were observed - 15.6 and 14.4%, when two and three circulations of the nutrient solution per day were adopted, respectively. This removal/dilution of the bases, evidently, caused a tendency of decrease in the pH of the nutrient solution, being verified a maximum decrease of 20%. In general analysis, the variation of ECns and pHns were within the predicted for each treatment proposed.

The osmotic potential, corresponding to the respective electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution (ECns) tested, naturally influenced the water consumption (WC). In empirical analysis, the accumulation of salts resulting from the replacement by brackish water (Figure 1A) resulted in lower water consumption, while the dilution of the salts verified by replenishment with water supply (Figure 1B) enabled higher average water consumption by plants.

FIGURE 1
Average water consumption of arugula plants (cv. Broad leaf) under replacement of the evapotranspirated level (A) with brackish water and (B) with water supply. Average results for plants exposed to brackish nutrient solutions under replacement strategies and circulation frequencies.

Empirically, there was a tendency of greater water consumption with the increase of the circulation frequency of the nutrient solution, under both strategies adopted, due to among other aspects, to the higher oxygenation and lower average saline concentration of the nutrient solution obtained by the most frequent homogenization. When comparing the effect of the circulation frequencies, the greatest difference in average water consumption was observed in the ECns of 4.5 dS m-1 (17.58%) under replacement with brackish water and in the ECns of 9.0 dS m-1 (12.14%) under water supply.

Under the replacement of the evapotranspirated level with brackish water, the ECns influenced (p <0.01) the variables EWU-FPS, EWU-DPS, WCP, WCS and WCR, and there was no influence (p>0.05) isolated of the circulation frequency, however, there was a significant effect (p<0.05) of the interaction between the treatments for the EWU-DPS. Under replenishment with water supply, the ECns had a significant effect on EWU-FPS, EWU-DPS and WCS, as well as the frequency of circulation and interaction between treatments under (p <0.05) EWU-FPS (Table 1).

TABLE 1
F Test for the efficiency of water use in the production of fresh and dry phytomass of shoot, water content in the plant, in the shoot and in the root of arugula plants (cv. Broad leaf) exposed to salty nutritive solutions under replacement strategies and circulation frequencies.

In relation to EWU-FPS, under replacement with brackish water, there was a linear decrease at the ratio of 1.261 g L-1 with the unit increment of ECns; in this scenario of water use efficiency reduction, a loss of up to 74.95% was observed in the saline range studied (Figure 2A). Silva et al. (2012)Silva AO, Soares TM, Silva EFF, Santos NA, Klar AE (2012) Consumo hídrico da rúcula em cultivo hidropônico NFT utilizando rejeitos de dessalinizador em Ibimirim-PE. Revista Irriga 17:114-125., working with arugula cultivar in the NFT system, verified more pronounced reductions for each dS m-1 increased in relation to these results, probably due to different climatic and experimental conditions.

FIGURE 2
Efficiency of water use for fresh and dry phytomass (A and B) (C and D); (E) water content in the plant, (F) in the shoot and (G) in the root. Results for arugula plants (cv. Broad leaf) exposed to brackish nutrient solutions under replacement strategies and circulation frequencies.

Under replenishment with water supply, after analysis of the interaction between treatments, no significant effect (p>0.05) was observed when the solution was circulated twice daily with an average of 24.038 g L-1; under 3 circulations per day, the EWU-FPS was adjusted to the quadratic model, being estimated maximum (49.46 g L-1) and minimum (22.12 g L-1) point under 1.5 and 5.93 dS m-1, respectively (Figure 2B). It is likely that the increase of EWU verified from 6 dS m-1 may be a result of the combination between the maintenance of the biomass produced in previous phases of the cycle and the reduction of water consumption due to the increase in the osmotic potential.

When adopting two circulations per day, the EWUDPS was maximum (1.9883 g L-1) for the ECns estimated at 2.49 dS m-1 and minimum (1.0231 g L-1) for 9.0 dS m-1; as well as for three circulations per day, the values of maximum (2.74 g L-1) and minimum (1.41 g L-1) were estimated in the ECns of 1.5 and 7.68 dS m-1, respectively (Figure 2C). In research with cilantro under salt stress in hydroponics, using brackish water in the replacement of the evapotranspirated level, Silva (2014)Silva MG (2014) Uso de água salobra e frequência de recirculação de solução nutritiva para produção de coentro hidropônico. Dissertação Mestrado, Cruz das Almas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, 185p., when increased the circulation frequency, also observed an increase in EWUDPS (3.44 and 3.35 g L-1); naturally that the absolute EWUDPS values of arugula are lower than those of cilantro for reasons of physiological order.

Under replenishment with water supply, the EWUDPS results were adjusted to the quadratic model (p <0.01), so that the maximum efficiency (3.8402 g L-1) was estimated for ECns of 2.56 dS m-1, successively lower values were verified until the ECns of 9.0 dS m-1, in which the minimum EWU-DPS (2.5518 g L-1) was estimated (Figure 2D). Silva (2014)Silva MG (2014) Uso de água salobra e frequência de recirculação de solução nutritiva para produção de coentro hidropônico. Dissertação Mestrado, Cruz das Almas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, 185p., found that the use of brackish water and water supply (EC = 0.32 dS m-1) in cilantro crop, both for the preparation of the nutrient solution and for the replacement of the volume consumed, resulted in a reduction in EWU- DPS in 19.19% and 13.13%, respectively, that is, values lower than those of this study.

The WCP, under replacement with brackish water, decreased (p <0.01) by up to 8.12% when considering the salt interval from 1.5 to 9.0 dS m-1 (Figure 2E). Studying the hydrous consumption of arugula in hydroponic NFT cultivation using waste from a desalter in Ibimirim-PE, Silva et al. (2012)Silva AO, Soares TM, Silva EFF, Santos NA, Klar AE (2012) Consumo hídrico da rúcula em cultivo hidropônico NFT utilizando rejeitos de dessalinizador em Ibimirim-PE. Revista Irriga 17:114-125. estimated the WCP in 85.36% for the water EC of 3.2 dS m-1, which is lower than the WCP observed in the plants under 9.0 dS m-1 in this study. This reduction can be attributed to the reduction of water consumption and to the successive physiological and biochemical processes required for the osmotic adjustment inside the plant (Soares et al., 2010Soares TM, Duarte SN, Silva EFF, Jorge C (2010) Combinação de águas doce e salobra para produção de alface hidropônica. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 14:705-714.).

As for WCS, under replacement with brackish water, there was a reduction (p<0.01) of 8.96% in the studied range and a decrease of 1.0039% with a unit increase of the ECns (Figure 2F). When the replenishment was adopted with water supply, the total loss was estimated at 6.17%. In another analysis, Paulus et al. (2010)Paulus D, Dourado Neto D, Frizzone JA, Soares TM (2010) Produção e indicadores fisiológicos de alface sob hidroponia com água salina. Revista Horticultura Brasileira 28:29-35. also verified a decrease in water content in lettuce tissues (cv. Pira Roxa and Verônica) in hydroponics, using brackish water in the replacement of the evapotranspiration line, as well as Silva et al. (2013)Silva FV, Duarte SN, Lima CJGS, Dias NS, Santos RSS, Medeiros PRF (2013) Cultivo hidropônico de rúcula utilizando solução nutritiva salina. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Agrárias 8:476-482., studying the hydroponic cultivation of arugula (cv. Broad leaf) under saline nutrient solution up to 10.5 dS m-1, estimated a decrease of 1.88% in each dS m-1 increased to the water used in the preparation of the solution nutritious.

In relation to the WCR, when the brackish water was used, there was a unit decrease of 0.8587%, totaling a variation of 7.72% in the proposed saline range (Figure 2G).

In general terms, under the replacement with brackish water, there was variation of up to 8.12; 8.96 and 7.72% in WCP, WCS and WCR, respectively, while under the replacement with water supply, the average values were 86.802% for the WCP, there was a decrease in the proposed salt interval of 8.96% for WCS and an average of 87.95% for WCR. Probably, the successive accumulation of soluble salts in the organs of the plant reduced the efficiency of the osmotic adjustment, reducing the water content in the various parts of the plant (Nascimento et al., 2015).

Regardless of the strategy of the replacement of the evapotranspirated level, the behavior of SBPI, the r R/S, PPS and PPR were influenced (p<0.01) by the salinity of the nutrient solution, while the circulating frequencies of the solution and the interaction between the treatments did not cause the same (Table 2).

TABLE 2
F Test for the biomass index of the shoot, root and shoot relation, photoassimilate partition in the shoot and in the root of arugula plants (cv. Broad leaf) exposed to brackish nutritive solutions under strategies of replacement and frequency of circulation.

As for the SBPI, under replacement with brackish water, values of up to 0.9122 were estimated in plants under initial ECns of 1.5 dS m-1 (p <0.01). In the proposed salt interval, the losses totaled 37.23%, so that the estimated reduction per unit increase of the ECns was 0.033. Under replacement with supply water (p <0.01), a decrease of 0.0431 per unit increment of ECns and total losses in the studied range of 48.10% were estimated (Figure 3A).

FIGURE 3
(A) Shoot biomass production index, (B) root/shoot ratio, (C) photoassimilates partition of shoot and (D and E) of the root. Results for arugula plants (cv. Broad leaf) exposed to brackish nutrient solutions under replacement strategies and circulation frequencies.

In relation to r R/S, when the replacement with brackish water was adopted, the variation of the ECns had a significant effect (p <0.01) with a growth estimate of 47.80% within the proposed saline range, and an increase of 0.0184 was estimated per unit increase of the ECns. Under replenishment with water supply (p<0.01), the estimated increment per unit increment of ECns was 0.0349 (Figure 3B). This result can be caused by the maintenance of the root mass and reduction of the mass of the shoot imposed by the osmotic effect (Sá et al., 2013Sá FVS, Brito MEB, Melo AS, Antônio Neto P, Fernandes PD, Ferreira IB (2013) Produção de mudas de mamoeiro irrigadas com água salina 17:1047-1054.), including Silva et al. (2013)Silva FV, Duarte SN, Lima CJGS, Dias NS, Santos RSS, Medeiros PRF (2013) Cultivo hidropônico de rúcula utilizando solução nutritiva salina. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Agrárias 8:476-482., studying the use of saline nutrient solution in hydroponic cultivation of the arugula (cv. Broad Leaf), prepared in water supply, also verified linear growth in the root/shoot relation, varying 0.003 for each unit increase in salinity.

Regarding the PPS, when compared to brackish water replacement (p <0.01), losses of up to 27.70% were estimated in the comparison between plants under the highest and lowest ECns used in this study, with losses of 2.77% per unit increase of the ECns. Under replenishment with water supply (p<0.01), a reduction of 12.10% in PPS was estimated when considering the plants under ECns of 1.5 and 9 dS m-1, with losses of 1.32% through increase in salinity unit (Figure 3C). Possibly, the changes in the percentage distribution of the dry mass of the shoot were provoked by the saline stress, which is consistent with the fact that the increase of the salinity in the solution, besides reducing the biomass production, can also change the dry mass partition between different parts of the plants (Silva et al., 2003Silva JV, Lacerda CF, Costa PHA, Enéas Filho J, Gomes Filho E, Prisco JT (2003) Physiological responses o± NaCl stressed cowpea plants grown in nutrient solution supplemented with CaCl2. Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology 15:99-105.).

In the PPR analysis, under replacement with brackish water, after analysis of the interaction between the treatments, there was an increase of 43.71%, when two circulations of the solution per day were adopted, and an increase of 63.05% with three circulations per day, under the same ECns (Figure 3D). In the conditions, the prioritization of the photoassimilates distribution to the roots is evident, which is probably due to the need of the development of the root system in search of nutrients in a stress environment (Taiz & Zeiger, 2013Taiz L, Zeiger E (2013) Fisiologia vegetal. Porto Alegre, Artmed, 5 ed. 918p.).

When the replenishment was performed with water supply (p <0.01), there were PPR values estimated at 14.09; 14.22; 14.97; 16.35; 18.36 and 20.99% in plants under ECns of 1.5; 3.0; 4.5; 6.0; 7.5 and 9.0 dS m-1, respectively; that is, an increase of up to 32.86% in the PPR of the arugula due to the variation of the salinity (Figure 3E).

In studies with arugula (cv. Broad leaf) under salt stress, with solution prepared and replenished with water supply in NFT system, Silva et al. (2013)Silva FV, Duarte SN, Lima CJGS, Dias NS, Santos RSS, Medeiros PRF (2013) Cultivo hidropônico de rúcula utilizando solução nutritiva salina. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Agrárias 8:476-482. estimated that it is possible to obtain yields without loss of relative yield using saline waters in hydroponic cultivation of arugula up to 2.75 dS m-1 salinity. In general analysis, in this study, when water of 3.0 dS m-1 was used in the preparation of the nutrient solution (ECns of 4.5 dS m-1), even under replacement with brackish water, there were losses but the results were still satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONS

  1. There were lower losses in the consumption, efficiency and water content and in the production of biomass of the shoot in the arugula, when the replenishment with water supply was adopted;

  2. The consumption and the efficiency of water use were reduced by the saline increment, independently of the strategy of replacement of the evapotranspirated level;

  3. The saline stress caused a greater accumulation of dry mass in the root to the detriment of the aerial part;

  4. Technically, it is feasible to recirculate the nutrient solution twice a day.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco for their support in the infrastructure and the CNPq (Universal Edict) for financing the scientific research.

REFERENCES

  • Alves MS, Soares TM, Silva LT, Fernandes JP, Oliveira MLA, Paz VPS (2011) Estratégias de uso de água salobra na produção de alface em hidroponia NFT. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 15:491-498.
  • Bione MAA, Paz VPS, Silva F, Ribas RF, Soares TM (2014) Crescimento e produção de manjericão em sistema hidropônico NFT sob salinidade. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 18:1228-1234.
  • Brasil. Ministério da Agricultura e Reforma Agrária (1992) Secretaria Nacional da Irrigação. Departamento de Meteorologia. Normas climatológicas (1961-1990). Brasília, EMBRAPA. 84 p.
  • Costa AMB, Melo JGE, Silva FM (2006) Aspectos da salinização das águas do aquífero cristalino no estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Nordeste do Brasil. Revista Águas Subterrâneas 20:67-82.
  • Furlani PR, Silveira LCP, Bolonhezi D, Faquim V (1999) Cultivo hidropônico de plantas. Campinas, Instituto Agronômico, 52 p. (Boletim técnico, 180).
  • Maciel MP, Soares TM, Gheyi HR, Rezende EPL, Oliveira GXS (2012) Produção de girassol ornamental com uso de águas salobras em sistema hidropônico NFT. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 16:165-172.
  • Magalhães ACN (1979) Análise quantitativa do crescimento. In: Ferri MG (Eds). Fisiologia vegetal. Editora da Universidade de São Paulo, p331-350.
  • Nunes RLC, Dias NS, Moura KKCF, Sousa Neto ON, Costa JM (2013) Efeitos da salinidade da solução nutritiva na produção de pimentão cultivado em substrato de fibra de coco. Revista Caatinga 26:48-53.
  • Oliveira FA, Sousa Neta ML, Silva RT, Souza AAT, Oliveira MKT, Medeiros JF (2013) Desempenho de cultivares de rúcula sob soluções nutritivas com diferentes salinidades. Revista Agro@mbiente On-line 7:170-178.
  • Paulus D, Dourado Neto D, Frizzone JA, Soares TM (2010) Produção e indicadores fisiológicos de alface sob hidroponia com água salina. Revista Horticultura Brasileira 28:29-35.
  • Paulus D, Paulus E, Nava GA, Moura CA (2012) Crescimento, consumo hídrico e composição mineral de alface cultivada em hidroponia com águas salinas. Revista Ceres 59:110-117.
  • Rebouças JRL, Ferreira Neto M, Dias NS, Souza Neto ON, Diniz AA, Lira, RB (2013) Cultivo hidropônico de coentro com uso de rejeito salino. Revista Irriga 18:624-634.
  • Sá FVS, Brito MEB, Melo AS, Antônio Neto P, Fernandes PD, Ferreira IB (2013) Produção de mudas de mamoeiro irrigadas com água salina 17:1047-1054.
  • Santos Júnior JA, Gheyi HR, Cavalcante AR, Dias NS, Medeiros SS (2016) Produção e pós-colheita de flores de girassóis sob estresse salino em hidroponia de baixo custo. Revista de Engenharia Agrícola 36:420-432.
  • Santos Júnior JA, Gheyi HR, Dias NS, Medeiros SS, Guedes Filho DH (2014) Substratos e tempo de renovação da água residuária no crescimento do girassol ornamental em sistema semi-hidroponia. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 18:790-797.
  • Santos NA, Soares TM, Silva EFF, Silva DJR, Montenegro AAA (2010) Cultivo hidropônico de alface com água salobra subterrânea e rejeito da dessalinização em Ibimirim, PE. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 14:961-969.
  • Silva AO, Soares TM, Silva EFF, Santos NA, Klar AE (2012) Consumo hídrico da rúcula em cultivo hidropônico NFT utilizando rejeitos de dessalinizador em Ibimirim-PE. Revista Irriga 17:114-125.
  • Silva FV, Duarte SN, Lima CJGS, Dias NS, Santos RSS, Medeiros PRF (2013) Cultivo hidropônico de rúcula utilizando solução nutritiva salina. Revista Brasileira de Ciências Agrárias 8:476-482.
  • Silva JV, Lacerda CF, Costa PHA, Enéas Filho J, Gomes Filho E, Prisco JT (2003) Physiological responses o± NaCl stressed cowpea plants grown in nutrient solution supplemented with CaCl2. Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology 15:99-105.
  • Silva MG (2014) Uso de água salobra e frequência de recirculação de solução nutritiva para produção de coentro hidropônico. Dissertação Mestrado, Cruz das Almas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, 185p.
  • Soares TM, Duarte SN, Silva EFF, Jorge C (2010) Combinação de águas doce e salobra para produção de alface hidropônica. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental 14:705-714.
  • Souza Neta ML, Oliveira FA, Silva RT, Torres Souza AAT, Oliveira MKT, Medeiros JF (2013) Efeitos da salinidade sobre o desenvolvimento de rúcula cultivada em diferentes substratos hidropônicos. Revista Agro@mbiente On-line 7:154-161.
  • Taiz L, Zeiger E (2013) Fisiologia vegetal. Porto Alegre, Artmed, 5 ed. 918p.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Nov-Dec 2018

History

  • Received
    21 Aug 2017
  • Accepted
    20 Sept 2018
Associação Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola SBEA - Associação Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola, Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Exatas FCAV/UNESP, Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, km 5, 14884.900 | Jaboticabal - SP, Tel./Fax: +55 16 3209 7619 - Jaboticabal - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revistasbea@sbea.org.br