| Title |
Growing lettuce and cucumber in a hydroponic system using food waste derived organic liquid fertiliser |
| ID_Doc |
28003 |
| Authors |
Siddiqui, Z; Hagare, D; Chen, ZH; Jayasena, V; Shahrivar, AA; Panatta, O; Liang, WG; Boyle, N |
| Title |
Growing lettuce and cucumber in a hydroponic system using food waste derived organic liquid fertiliser |
| Year |
2022 |
| Published |
Environmental Sustainability, 5.0, 3 |
| DOI |
10.1007/s42398-022-00234-9 |
| Abstract |
Increased food waste (FW) production and resulting greenhouse gas production due to current disposal methods have promoted the need for recycling. This study describes an innovative method of recovering the nutrients from FW for use in hydroponic systems. The study evaluates the feasibility of using food waste-derived organic liquid fertiliser (FoodLift) for hydroponically producing lettuce and cucumber. The yield obtained using FoodLift was compared with that obtained using commercial liquid fertiliser (CLF). Growing cycles of lettuce and cucumber were completed in 42 and 119 days, respectively. In the case of lettuce, all parameters (such as fresh matter (FM) and dry matter (DM) yields) were similar for the plants grown using FoodLift and CLF. The average FM yields in the hydroponic system grown using FoodLift and CLF were 156 and 161 g/plant, respectively. Statistically insignificant differences (p > 0.05) between the two fertilisers indicate that FoodLift is as effective as CLF in growing hydroponic lettuce. However, the FM and DM yields of cucumber plants grown using FoodLift were significantly lower than those obtained using CLF. This may be attributed to lower phosphorus concentrations (about 2.5 times less) in the FoodLift feed solution during the cucumber plants flowering stage. This was associated with the significant abortion of flowers observed in the cucumber plants fed with FoodLift. Therefore, it is feasible to increase the yield through phosphorus addition into FoodLift to bring its phosphorus concentration at par with CLF. This study demonstrates the potential for applying circular economy principles for managing food waste. |
| Author Keywords |
FoodLift; Circular economy; Nutrient recycling; Waste minimisation; Animal feed; Vegetables |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) |
| EID |
WOS:001126196100006 |
| WoS Category |
Environmental Sciences |
| Research Area |
Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
| PDF |
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