SunDROPS project
Self-DRiving hydrOPonic System
Flood and flow hydroponic system with alternating solution
In this project we develop particular type of Flood & Flow (F&F) hydroponic system which allowed to supply nutrients with particular intermittent /alternating regimes (flood/drainage cycles) to optimize the resources and adaptation of the plants as showed in the picture below.
The ability to face salt stress of lettuce was investigated by cycling solutions at various salt concentrations for acclimation. In particular, the lettuce tolerance has been studied by comparing short-high saline periods and long-medium saline periods cycles preceding an extreme high salt stress.
Our results showing a comparison between long-medium salinity periods and short high salinity periods highlighted that alternate cycles can be effectively used to improve phenotypic tolerance and/or enhance specific ions accumulations that can be of nutraceutical interest without compromising the biomass production.
