Hydroponics with Split Nutrient Solution Improves Cucumber Growth and Productivity

During hydroponics, nutrient precipitation and ion antagonisms in nutrient solutions can reduce nutrient availability, thereby limiting plant growth. Thus, optimizing the composition of nutrient solutions is vital for hydroponic plant breeding. Calcium ions were supplied separately from magnesium ions and phosphate anions using a split-root hydroponic system. The effects of split nutrient treatment on nutrient element uptake and growth of cucumber plants were examined. Accumulation of macroelements, especially of calcium, was increased in plants in the split nutrient solution treatment, compared with complete nutrient solution treatment. The split nutrient solution treatment induced an increase in chlorophyll concentrations and stomatal conductance, which led to improved photosynthesis. Furthermore, cucumber plant biomass and yield significantly increased in the split nutrient solution treatment. Hydroponics with split nutrient solutions promoted cucumber plant growth and productivity by improving nutrient element uptake and through increasing photosynthesis.