Seed germination and biomass of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) seedlings in conventional agriculture (ConvAg) and cold-water agriculture (ColdAg)

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the effects of cold-water agriculture (ColdAg) vs. conventional agriculture (ConvdAg) conditions on seed germination and fresh and dry biomass accumulation of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) seedlings.

Design/methodology/approach: The effects on germination parameters and fresh and dry biomass accumulation of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) seedlings were evaluated under the following treatments: (1) cold-water agriculture conditions (ColdAg: 35 °C temperature inside the growth chamber, 14.8 °C water flow temperature, 85% relative humidity) and (2) conventional agriculture (ConvAg: 25 °C temperature inside the growth chamber, 20 °C irrigation water temperature, 70% relative humidity). In both cases, the light intensity was 334 µmol m^-2 s^-1. Each condition had three replicates, and the experimental unit was a pot with commercial substrate in which 10 seeds were sown. The experiment was conducted in controlled growth chambers, and the treatments were distributed in these completely at random. The germination data obtained were used to estimate the variables daily total germination (DTG), median germination time (T50), germination percentage (GP), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), and germination index (GI). In addition, the weight of the fresh and dry biomass of the seedlings was determined. With the results obtained, variance analysis and Tukey mean comparison tests were performed (p ≤ 0.05).

Results: Seed germination in ConvAg occurred 2 d earlier than in ColdAg. Likewise, daily total germination (DTG) was higher in ConvAg. However, fresh and dry seedling biomass was higher in ColdAg, exceeding the ConvAg treatment by 66.3 and 146.7%, respectively.

Limitations of the study/implications: This technology requires sufficient space and specialized technical and scientific equipment, as well as the availability of cold water throughout the crop cycle.

Findings/conclusions: ColdAg technology allowed good germination of cabbage seeds and greater production of fresh and dry seedling biomass.