Application of zinc microparticles in hydroponic cultivation

Hidroponskim uzgojem moguće je brati plodove jagoda (Fragaria) u periodu kada to prije nije bilo moguće. Ovim uzgojem postiže se nešto ranije plodonošenje, duži period berbe, veći urod i kvaliteta ploda. Za postizanje navedenog je uz odgovarajuće mikroklimatske uvjete, potreban odgovarajući supstrat, redovita fertirigacija te zaštita od bolesti i štetnika. Cink je jedan od najvažnijih mikroelemenata u cvjetovima i plodovima jagode. Nedostatak cinka utječe na smanjeni razvoj prašnika i rast polenovih cjevčica koje mogu rezultirati deformacijom plodova. Mikročestice cinka jedan su od načina kako poboljšati nutritivna svojstva (ukupne polifenole, flavonoide, antocijane i antioksidacijsku aktivnost) ploda jagode. U ovom istraživanju pokus je postavljen prema split plot metodi u tri repeticije. Tretiranje se vršilo na dvama različitim sortama jagoda: Albion i San Andreas. Jagode su tretirane s mikročesticama koje sadrže cink kao aktivnu tvar te mikročesticama koje sadrže cink i dodatan sloj kitozana. Rezultati su pokazali pozitivan utjecaj mikročestica na jagodama.Hydroponic cultivation makes it possible to harvest strawberries (Fragaria) at a time when this was not possible before. This breeding achieves somewhat earlier fruiting, a longer harvesting period, higher yield and fruit quality. To achieve this, with appropriate microclimatic conditions, an adequate substrate, regular fertigation and protection against disease and pests are required. Zinc is one of the most important trace elements in strawberry flowers and fruits. Zinc deficiency affects the decreased growth of stamens and the growth of pollen tubes, which can result in deformation of the fruit. Zinc microparticles are one way to improve the nutritional properties (total polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and antioxidant activity) of strawberry fruit. In this study, the experiment was set up according to the split-plot method in three repetitions. The treatment was performed on two different strawberry varieties: Albion and San Andreas. The strawberries were treated with microparticles containing zinc as the active substance and microparticles containing zinc and an additional layer of chitosan. The results showed a positive effect of microparticles on strawberries