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Ethyleneproduction As An Indicator Of Stress Conditions In Hydroponically-Grown Strawberries, Justin D. Hogan, Elizabeth E. Murray, Marcia Harrison-Pitaniello Phd

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

As a soilless system, hydroponics eliminates competing weeds and soil-born pests while conserving water and providing conditions that can be quickly altered to suit specific crops. However, stress-induced physiological conditions may arise within the system from factors such as mechanical injury, pests, or inconsistent nutrient flow rates that result in some plants receiving too much or too little water. Most abiotic stress conditions result in increased production of the plant hormone ethylene. High levels of ethylene inhibit growth, cause premature ripening, and induce the onset of senescence, potentially reducing the productivity of hydroponically-grown crops. In this study, we demonstrate that …