Plant nutrition through mineral fertilizers is commonly used in soilless culture systems. Our study aims to replace intensive mineral fertilizers with bio-fertilizers, at least partially. We supplemented 50% of the mineral fertilizers with Chlorella vulgaris microalgae, a mix of beneficial bacteria and mycorrhiza. In addition, we investigated how to enhance spinach quality by implementing a sustainable and eco-friendly production method. Our research focused on analyzing the parameters of leaf quality and nitrate accumulation of baby spinach grown in a floating culture system utilizing biofertilizers. When mycorrhiza, algae, and bacteria supplemented 50% of mineral fertilizers, 17.5%, 20%, and 21.9% fewer leaf yields than 100% mineral fertilizers (5270 g m⁻²) were achieved. However, biofertilizers improved the internal leaves’ quality of hydroponically grown baby spinach. The highest amount of total phenolic (356.88 mg gallic acid 100g⁻¹), vitamin C (73.83 mg 100 g⁻¹), total soluble solids (9.4%), phosphorus (0.68%), and iron (120.07 ppm) content were obtained by using mycorrhiza. Bacteria induced the lowest nitrate content (206 mg kg⁻¹) in spinach leaves, while 100% mineral fertilizers showed the highest nitrate (623 mg kg⁻¹) concentration. Moreover, bacteria provided the highest SPAD-chlorophyll (73.72) and titrable acidity (0.31%). The use of microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris, induced the highest amount of potassium (9.62%), calcium (1.64%), magnesium (0.58%), zinc (75.21 ppm), and manganese (64.33 mg kg⁻¹). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that the utilization of biofertilizers has the potential to significantly reduce the reliance on mineral fertilizers by up to 50%. Furthermore, an improvement in the quality of baby spinach, as evidenced by an increase in health-beneficial compounds, is possible. Thus, implementing biofertilizers in the cultivation of soilless baby spinach presents a promising approach to achieving both environmental sustainability and improved crop quality.

Soilless cultivation is extensively used in the greenhouse industry. Recently, hydroponic cultivation of capia pepper has become popular among growers. Capia pepper is harvested at the red maturity stage, and intensive mineral fertilizers are usually used for soilless cultivation. This study was performed in a greenhouse during spring under Mediterranean climatic conditions. The effects of bacteria and mycorrhiza on capia pepper plant growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrition were investigated. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of these two bio-fertilizers were investigated. Our objective was to replace 20% of mineral fertilizers with bio-fertilizers in a soilless culture system. The use of 80% mineral fertilizers, in combination with mycorrhiza and bacteria, provided a 32.4% higher yield than the control (100% mineral fertilizer without bio-fertilizers). Moreover, the concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu in the leaves of pepper plants fed with the reduced mineral fertilizers combined with bio-fertilizers were higher than that of the control. In addition, fruit parameters, such as fruit weight, diameter, volume, the electric conductivity of the fruit juice, and total soluble solids, were significantly higher in this treatment compared to the control. Using 80% mineral fertilizer with only bacteria provided a 24.2% higher yield than the control. In conclusion, mineral fertilizers were successfully reduced by 20% using bacteria and mycorrhiza. These results provide an eco-friendly approach to a sustainable environment.

Hydroponics is a contemporary agricultural system providing precise control over growing conditions, potentially enhancing productivity. Biofertilizers are environmentally friendly, next-generation fertilizers that augment product yield and quality in hydroponic cultivation. In this study, we investigated the effect of three bio-fertilizers in a hydroponic floating system, microalgae, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), combined with a 50% reduction in mineral fertilizer, on lettuce yield and quality parameters including antioxidants: vitamin C, total phenols and flavonoids. The treatments tested were: 100% mineral fertilizer (control 1), 50% mineral fertilizer (control 2), 50% mineral fertilizer with microalgae, 50% mineral fertilizer with PGPR and 50% mineral fertilizer with AMF. The research was conducted during the winter months within a controlled environment of a glasshouse in a Mediterranean climate. The PGPR comprised three distinct bacterial strains, while the AMF comprised nine different mycorrhizal species. The microalgae consisted of only a single species, Chlorella vulgaris. AMF inoculation occurred once during seed sowing, while the introduction of PGPR and microalgae occurred at 10-day intervals into the root medium. Our findings revealed that the treatment with PGPR resulted in the highest growth parameters, including the lettuce circumference, stem diameter and fresh leaf weight. The 100% mineral fertilizer and PGPR treatments also yielded the highest lettuce production. Meanwhile, the treatment with AMF showed the highest total phenol and flavonoid content, which was statistically similar to that of the PGPR treatment. Furthermore, the PGPR recorded the maximum range of essential nutrients, including nitrogen (N), potassium (K), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). Thus, the inclusion of PGPR holds promise for optimizing the lettuce growth and nutrient content in hydroponic systems. In conclusion, PGPR has the potential to enhance nutrient availability in a floating hydroponic system, reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers. This mitigates environmental pollution and fosters sustainable agriculture.

Sprouts, microgreens, and baby leaves are plant-based functional foods that have recently gained popularity for use in human diets as novel foods due to their high nutraceutical value. Microgreens, harvested shortly after germination with one true leaf, include vitamins and minerals with potential health benefits. Achieving high yields, robust growth, and maximum nutrient accumulation requires optimal cultivation, especially when selecting the appropriate growing medium. This study assessed the effectiveness of six different growing media for the cultivation of microgreens, specifically black radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. niger), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), and red beet (Beta vulgaris L.). The growing media tested included vermiculite, perlite, a peat-based medium, filter paper, cotton textile, and agril. The results revealed that vermiculite and the peat-based medium led to the highest yields. The phenolic content ranged from 110.77 mg GA·100 g⁻¹ FW in red beet to 169.96 mg GA·100 g⁻¹ FW in broccoli. The flavonoid content varied between 17.99 mg RU·100 g⁻¹ FW in black radish and 120.36 mg RU·100 g⁻¹ FW in red beet. Agril and filter paper media yielded the highest SPAD–chlorophyll values (47.34 and 44.36, respectively). The protein content peaked at 3.03 g·100 g⁻¹ FW in black radish grown on filter paper, while the vitamin C content reached a maximum of 29.75 mg·100 g⁻¹ FW in black radish grown in agril. The findings suggest that while the optimal conditions vary by species, the choice of growing medium plays a crucial role in determining microgreens’ quality and nutrient content.

Bu çalışmada, ülkemizde karpuz üretiminde çok önemli bir bölge olan Çukurova ekolojik koşullarına uygunluğu daha önceki adaptasyon denemeleriyle ortaya konan yeni karpuz çeşit adaylarının kuraklık stresine karşı tepkilerinin ortaya çıkarılması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma, Çukurova Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Bahçe Bitkileri Bölümü’ne ait açık arazi deneme alanında ve Bitki Fizyolojisi Laboratuvarında yürütülmüştür. Bitki materyali olarak Minipool, 50024, Miracle, Splendit çeşit adayları ve Starburst karpuz çeşidi kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada üç farklı seviyede sulama yapılmıştır; 1) kontrol olarak tam sulanan parseller, 2) kontrolün yarısı kadar (%50 sulama) ve 3) kontrolün ¼’ü kadar (%25) sulanan parsellerdir. Çalışma sonunda çeşit adaylarının kuraklık stresi altında bitki büyümesi, verim ve meyve kalitesinde ortaya çıkan değişiklikler agronomik, fizyolojik ve pomolojik olarak incelenmiştir. Karpuz üretiminde Çukurova bölgesi ekolojik koşullarında %75 su kısıtlamasına kadar olan stres koşullarında başarılı bulunan çeşitler Splendit ve Miracle olmuştur. Özel durumlarda suyun %50 kısıtı aşmaması halinde Starburst ve 50024 numaralı çeşitler de tercih edilebilir bulunmuştur

Çileğin besin değeri ve sağlık açısından faydalarından dolayı her geçen yıl önemi daha fazla anlaşılmaktadır. Sağlık bilinciyle insanların kaliteli organik meyvelere olan talepleri artmaktadır. Organik çilek üretiminde verim ve ürün kalitesini artırıcı bitki besleme konularında araştırmaların artırılmasına ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, piyasada kolayca bulunabilen organik tarıma ruhsatlı bitki besleme ürünlerinin, yüksek verimlilik ve üründe kalite için organik çilek yetiştiriciliğinde bitki beslenme optimizasyonu hedeflenmiştir. Araştırmada 1) Gübresiz (kontrol), 2) Katı solucan gübresi taban (Ekosolfarm)+Sıvı solucan gübresi üstten (Ekosolfarm), 3) Katı çiftlik gübresi taban (Biofarm)+Sıvı hümik-fülvik asit üstten (Botanica), 4) Katı çiftlik gübresi taban (Biofarm)+Sıvı hümik-fülvik asit üstten (Botanica)+Mikrobiyal sıvı gübre üstten (Biosupp Ultron), 5) Katı solucan gübresi taban (Ekosolfarm)+Sıvı solucan gübresi üstten (Ekosolfarm)+Mikrobiyal sıvı gübre üstten (Biosupp Ultron). Çalışmada, uygulamaların meyve verim ve kalitesi üzerine etkilerini belirlemek amacıyla bitki büyüme parametreleri, bitki başına verim, meyve ağırlığı(g), pH, SÇKM, Asitlik, SÇKM /Asit, bitki besin elementi içerikleri incelenmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda uygulamalar içerisinde en yüksek toplam verim (242.96 g bitki-1), en iri meyveler (18.43 g), en düşük asitlik değeri, en uzun kök, en kalın gövde ve yaprakta en iyi azot, fosfor, potasyum, kalsiyum ve magnezyum içerikleri, 5 nolu “Katı solucan gübresi taban(Ekosolfarm)+Sıvı solucan gübresi üstten (Ekosolfarm)+Mikrobiyal sıvı gübre üstten (Biosupp Ultron)” uygulamasından elde edilmiştir.