Soilless systems have become increasingly popular as effective solutions for regions with infertile soil, low water availability, limited space, and environmental pollution. There is limited information on the role of soilless culture in the production of medicinal plants. While some research has examined growth rates and yields, there is not enough data on how these systems affect nutrient uptake, physiological properties, and water use effociency (WUE) in medicinal plants.
This research investigated soilless systems as alternative techniques for cultivating watercress (Nasturtium officinale). The study was conducted using a completely randomized design with five replications and assessed the impact of different cultivation systems (hydroponic, aquaponic, and soil) on the growth of watercress. The results showed that cultivation systems had significant effects on morphological, physiological and nutrient content of watercress (P <0.01). When grown using hydroponics and aquaponics, watercress exhibited a 58.2 and 54.3 % increase in height, a 104.7 and 59.2 % increase in root length, a 20.1 and 72.9 % increase in leaves, a 44.3 and 11.4 % increase in lateral branches, a 58.5 and 35.3 % increase in leaf area, and a 46.8 and 81 % increase in yield, respectively, than the soil-based system. The soil-based system promoted higher levels of chlorophyll a and b, while the soilless systems exhibited higher amounts of carotenoids, protein, proline, and relative water content (P <0.01). The aquaponics demonstrated the highest N, P, Mg, S, and Na, while the soil system displayed the highest Ca, Fe, and Zn concentrations. The higher amount Fe and Zn in soil system can be attributed to soil organic matter, which plays a role in chelating micronutrients and enhancing their accessibility for plant absorption. Different cultivation systems significantly affected the daily water usage and WUE. Daily water decreased by 39 and 34.4 % in the hydroponic and aquaponic, respectively than soil based system. WUE in the hydroponic and aquaponic was 2.45 and 2.78 higher than in the soil.
Overall, soilless systems resulted in faster plant growth and higher yields. This efficiency can lead to reduced inputs and less environmental impact than traditional farming. Further investigation is needed to assess the economic feasibility of growing medicinal plants using soilless methods.
Alizaeh, Parviz & Sodaeizade, Hamid & Arani, Asghar & Hakimzadeh, Mohammad ali. (2025). Comparing yield, nutrient uptake and water use efficiency of Nasturtium officinale cultivated in aquaponic, hydroponic, and soil systems. Heliyon. 11. e42339. 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42339.
Source: Research Gate