Selection of suitable growing substrates and quality assessment of Brassica microgreens cultivated in greenhouse

Hoang Gia Minh, Vu Thi Thuong
Author affiliations

Authors

  • Hoang Gia Minh Research and Development Department, VinEco Company, Vietnam
  • Vu Thi Thuong Hanoi Pedagogical University 2, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/2615-9023/16833

Keywords:

greenhouse microgreens, growing media, fresh weight, dry weight.

Abstract

Brassica microgreens are typically cultivated using a peat-based growing substrate with a higher production cost as this substrate must be imported from overseas. In Vietnam, a source of local bio-materials that could be used to replace imported peat, resulting in more affordable growing substrates. Several growing substrates for Brassica microgreens were evaluated in this study: GT1 (30% sand +20% organic soil + 50% coco coir), GT2 (75% coco coir + 25% rice husk), GT3 (75% coco coir + CaO 2.2 mg/kg + acid humic 0.41%) and imported peat GT4 (75% white sphagnum peat +25% vermiculite (size 4–6 mm). The local organic material coco coir GT3 was found to be as effective as the imported substrate for microgreen production. The material coco coir mixed with soil and sand could increase the risks of soil-borne disease infestation on Brassica microgreens. Microgreens grown in the substrate GT3 and GT4 had higher productivity and lower disease infestation levels than other tested substrates. Nitrate level and microbiological contamination (E. coli and Salmonella spp.) of Brassica microgreens cultivated in these substrates were determined to be at safe levels.

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Published

23-06-2022

How to Cite

Hoang, G. M., & Vu, T. T. (2022). Selection of suitable growing substrates and quality assessment of Brassica microgreens cultivated in greenhouse. Academia Journal of Biology, 44(2), 133–142. https://doi.org/10.15625/2615-9023/16833

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