Development of a greenhouse nutrient recycling system | |
| Author | Dhakal, Uttam |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AE-05-04 |
| Subject(s) | Plant nutrients--Tropics Greenhouse plants--Tropics |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AE-05-04 |
| Abstract | Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., var. FMTT-260) plants were grown under two identical poly-net greenhouses at Protected Cultivation Project site on AIT campus, Thailand. One greenhouse was equipped with nutrient recycling system to assess the amount of water and nutrients saved and compare growth and development of plants, crop yield and fruit qualities. Bio-sand filter was used to disinfect pathogens of recirculating solution. The electrical conductivity of the daily collected overdrain was adjusted to the set value of 1.5 mS cm and recirculated. Recirculation of nutrient solution could save 31.5% of total irrigation water. Among the measured major plant essential elements, the potential saving of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium were 29.87%, 31.44%, 29.83% and 28.16% respectively. The break even of the additional cost of nutrient recycling was less than 5 seasons. The total crop yield of the nutrient recycled greenhouse was statistically similar to that of control greenhouse. Plant growth parameters (plant height, stem diameter and leaf area index), average size and weight of fruits, and fruit qualities (marketable fruits, color, firmness, moisture content, brix and pH) of nutrient recycled greenhouse were almost similar to that of control greenhouse. Distribution uniformity and emitter flow rate in both greenhouses were similar, about 95 and 93% respectively. Due to recycling, the water productivity was increased by 45.7%. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AE-05-04 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Salokhe, Vilas M.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Jayasuriya, H.P.W.; Max, Johannes Singh, Sahdev ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Development Bank - Japan Scholarship Program; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |