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Biomass accumulation in hydroponically grown sweetpotato in a controlled environment: a preliminary studyIn the development of a plant growth model, the assumptions made and the general equations representing an understanding of plant growth are gradually refined as more information is acquired through experimentation. One such experiment that contributed to sweetpotato model development consisted of measuring biomass accumulation of sweetpotato grown in hydroponic culture in a plant growth chamber. Plants were started from fifteen centimeter long 'TU-82-155' sweetpotato vine cuttings spaced 25 cm apart in each of 18 rectangular growing channels (0.15 by 0.15 by 1.2m) in a system designed to use the nutrient film technique (NFT). Each channel contained four plants. The 3.5m by 5.2m plant growth chamber environmental parameters included an 18h photoperiod, 500 micromoles m-2 s-1 of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), and a diurnal light/dark temperature of 28 degrees C/22 degrees C. The relative humidity was 80 +/- 5% and the CO2 partial pressure was ambient (350 ppm). The nutrient solution contained in 30L reservoirs was a modified half Hoagland's solution with a 1:2.4 N:K ratio and a pH of 6.2. Solution replenishment occurred when the electrical conductivity (EC) level dropped below 1050. Plants were harvested at 15 days after planting (DAP) and weekly thereafter until day 134. By 57 DAP, stems and fibrous roots had acquired 90% of their total dry biomass, while leaves had reached 84% of their maximum dry biomass. Beginning at 64 DAP dry biomass accumulation in the storage roots dominated the increase in dry biomass for the plants. Dry weight of storage roots at 120 DAP was 165 g/plant or 1.1 kg/m2. Resulting growth curves were consistent with the physiological processes occurring in the plant. Results from this study will be incorporated in a plant growth model for use in conjunction with controlled life support systems for long-term manned space missions.
Document ID
20040120535
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hill, J.
(Tuskegee University AL 36088, United States)
Douglas, D.
David, P.
Mortley, D.
Trotman, A.
Bonsi, C.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1996
Publication Information
Publication: Acta horticulturae
Volume: 440
ISSN: 0567-7572
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2940
CONTRACT_GRANT: ALX-SP-1
CONTRACT_GRANT: 9238814-7476
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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