Frequency of recirculation of nutrient solution in hydroponic cultivation of coriander with brackish water

ABSTRACT The present study used a hydroponic system with leveled channels, in order to evaluate coriander cultivation under different intervals of nutrient solution recirculation and the use of freshwater and brackish water. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with five replicates, in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme, from February to March 2014. Two levels of electrical conductivity (EC) of water (0.32 and 4.91 dS m-1) and four frequencies of nutrient solution recirculation (at intervals of 0.25, 2, 4 and 8 h) were evaluated. This experimental design was adopted in the evaluations performed at 10, 15 and 25 days after transplantation (DAT). Additionally, at 21 DAT subplots were established for the evaluation of plant position (initial, intermediate and final) along the hydroponic channels. It is viable to use nutrient solution recirculation every 8 h, without production losses. The use of brackish water (EC = 4.91 dS m-1) may be an alternative for the hydroponic cultivation of coriander, despite the reduction in production, but without any damage on the visual aspect of the product. Plants grown at the initial and intermediate positions along the hydroponic channels showed higher production.