Fertilizer Effect of Waste Nutrient Solution in Greenhouses for Young Radish Cultivation

The purpose of this study is to enhance utilization of the waste nutrient solution (WNS) disposed at the hydroponic greenhouse. Several sets of testing were conducted to examine the effects of WNS: (a) a fertilizer effect, (b) soil column leaching, and (c) crop cultivation. The fertilizer effect test was applied in young radish cultivation by examining the growth characteristics of young radish and soil based on inorganic nitrogen according to the soil treatment of the nitrogen fertilizer (NF) and the WNS. The fertilizer effects and crop cultivation test were conducted with five treatments (A-E): A, non-treatment (water); B, 100% of NF; C, 70% of NF + 30% of WNS; D, 50% of NF + 50% of WNS; and E, 30% of NF + 70% of WNS. The soil column leaching test was conducted with three treatments: non-treatment (water), 100% of NF, 50% of WNS + 50% of NF. As a result, the chemical properties of the WNS were pH 6.0, EC 2.4dS·m⁻¹, total phosphorus (T-P) 28mg·L⁻¹, ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) 5.0mg·L⁻¹, and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) 301mg·L⁻¹. The chemical properties of the soil were pH 5.51, EC 0.31dS/m, organic matter 2.08g·kg⁻¹, NO₃-N 9.64mg·kg⁻¹, and NH₄-N 3.20mg·kg⁻¹. The results of fertilizer effects showed that the ratio of 50% or less of NF and 50% or more of WNS was high in young radish growth. There was no statistically significant difference between the soil chemistry in the C-E treatments where WNS was mixed with NF and the B treatment where only NF was applied. As a result of the soil column leaching test, there was no significant difference in the concentrations of NO₃ and NH₄ in the treatment of 100% of NF and 50% of NF + 50% of WNS. The study indicates, if the mixed fertilizer of WNS and NF is applied in the soil cultivation of young radish, it will reduce the use of NF and environmental pollution. This also helps reduce production costs on farmers and increase the yield of young radish.