Hydroponics cultivation of salicornia

• Main Author: Wong, Anne Heng Gee.
• Other Authors: Teh Cee Ing
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52801
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Increasing world population has brought about the danger of arable land scarcity, freshwater shortage and soil salinization. These problems could potentially worsen the undernourished situation on the world currently. In order to increase crop production, other natural resources need to be tapped on. Two of such natural resources in abundance are seawater and salt–affected area. It was found that halophytes have thrived healthily under saline condition. To better understand the relationship between salinity and halophyte, Salicornia bigelovii, the seeds were germinated in solution of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent sea salt concentration. At 100 percent sea salt concentration, the germination was inhibited. The highest germination rate occurs at 0 percent sea salt concentration but the survival rate of the seedlings was low. However, by increasing the salinity gradually, the withering seedlings can be revived. The optimum salinity for growth is at 25 percent sea salt concentration. Though the germination rate is slower than 0 percent, the seedlings are less prone to withering. The results indicated the germination and plant growth is dependent on salinity of the condition.