Effects of organic fertilizer on bok choy growth and quality in hydroponic cultures

Effects of corn steep liquor (organic fertilizer, OF) and conventional chemical fertilizer (CF) on the growth and yield of bok choy (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) in summer and autumn hydroponic growing systems were compared. When OF and CF were applied with the same amount of total nitrogen in summer cultivation, there was no significant difference between yields; however, the growth rate in OF was slower than in CF. When OF was applied with twice the amount of nitrogen in CF (OF2), bok choy growth and yield were significantly inhibited in summer cultivation, likely owing to dissolved oxygen deficiency and different rates of nitrification and nitrogen absorbance by the plant root. Although the contents of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in bok choy showed no difference among the three treatments in both cultivation seasons, the carbon/nitrogen ratio tended to be higher in OF and OF2 than in CF. Lower nitric acid and higher ascorbic acid content was found in OF and OF2 than in CF. Overall, our results suggest that a comparable yield is expected by using the same nitrogen amount with a conventional recipe of chemical fertilization in autumn cultivation. However, further improvement of hydroponic management is needed in summer cultivation. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.