Experimental Evaluation of Oxygen and Dissolved Solids Levels in Hydroponic Crops Using Organic Nutrients as a Function of the Number of Daily Recirculations

Nino Vega (), Néstor Zamora, Ana Tigse, Juan Chacón and Alexis Vega
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Nino Vega: Industrial Processes Research Group, Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Grupo GIPI, Guayaquil 090204, Ecuador
Néstor Zamora: Electrónics Faculty of Technical Education for Development, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil 090504, Ecuador
Ana Tigse: Electrónics Faculty of Technical Education for Development, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil 090504, Ecuador
Juan Chacón: Electrónics Faculty of Technical Education for Development, Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil 090504, Ecuador
Alexis Vega: Visual Arts, Universidad de las Artes, Guayaquil 090504, Ecuador

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-18

Abstract: By 2030, the world’s population is projected to reach 8.5 billion, posing significant challenges for food production. Traditional agriculture, which requires large amounts of water, soil, and energy, can contribute to the depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation. In this context, organic hydroponic systems emerge as a sustainable alternative, allowing for more efficient, controlled, and resilient production in the face of climate change. In this research, the physical development of romaine lettuce and the physicochemical parameters of the crop water are evaluated as a function of the number of daily recirculations. The crop variables are measured with the help of an intelligent control system, which allows the real-time monitoring of the process variables. The methodological approach is mixed: quantitative, for the recording of physicochemical variables, and qualitative, for the physical analysis of the crop throughout the process, With the experiments conducted it was found that the treatment with four daily recirculations promoted the most significant physiological growth of the plants. Despite having a pH of approximately five and dissolved oxygen of 6 mg/L, this treatment maintained adequate levels of TDS (2050 ppm) and hardness (1000 ppm), favoring the development of the crop. The treatments with less recirculation presented lower growth values. These results suggest that increased recirculation can optimize yields in floating-root hydroponic systems, addressing global food challenges from an environmentally responsible perspective.

Keywords: daily recirculation; hydroponic cultivation; intelligent control; organic nutrients (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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