Utilization of "A-Shape" system of Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) as a method for producing some vegetable crops intensively

Abstract

The experiments were conducted in the experimental station of Arid Land Agricultural Research Unit (ALARU), Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University for two successive seasons during 1997/1998 and 1998/1999. The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using an "A-shape" construction system of Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) as a tool to the intensive production of lettuce, garlic and strawberry compared with the conventional soil system. Data showed that using NFT gave earlier yield with higher quality of lettuce, garlic and strawberry. Water use efficiency of the three crops was increased compared to soil production. The number of lettuce plants produced per square meter was increased three times; garlic cloves were bigger and better quality; and strawberry produced higher yield and higher fruit than the conventional system. There were no negative interactions from growing three different crops utilizing one solution tank.