The test with growing peppers without substratum has been practically finalised for three quarters. The plants are now at 35 weeks in the free of substratum cultivation system. Up to now the plants reacted well and there is hardly any difference between the treatments as far as kilo production is concerned.
System
After a somewhat unaccustomed start the element levels and relative proportions are now rather flat without large fluctuations. Roots, however, which grow from the gutter, have to be removed regularly and in this way cause problems. In a new design this will be looked at.
Plants
Plants
The growth of plants on the without substratum system is going well. As far as length is concerned the plants are about 25 cm behind the normal cultivation. A possible cause of this may be that the plant is somewhat further in generation without substratum. There is a quick setting and also the internodes length is clearly shorter. The kilo productions hardly show any differences, not compared to the normal cultivation, but also not between the treatments (variable EC during the day and the night, limitations of temperature of the water and the control treatment). There are, however, differences in the number of fruit produced. These are slightly higher for the without substratum plants.
Progress
In the coming period it could well become exciting if we would get real summer weather. Up to now there was no necessity to cool down the feeding water and therefore oxygen management has hardly been tested.