Description
Most current agricultural systems employed around the globe are not sustainable. As the world population grows, urbanization increases along with water use and food production. Growing agricultural demands are not being supported by enough research and development in urban agriculture. Hydroponics is one form of urban agriculture that may support necessary advancements in agriculture. Nutrient rich foods might be better generated using this relatively novel approach. Antioxidants are of particular interest, as they are highly beneficial in absorbing free radicals which can damage important biomolecules such as DNA. In this study, we analyze the effects of ultraviolet radiation on hydroponically grown Dragon Tongue bush beans (Phaseous vulgaris). Ultraviolet radiation is known to be an important factor that induces antioxidant production, yet this has not often been fully tested in combination with hydroponics. To examine the efficiency and quality of hydroponically grown vegetables, as well as the effect of UV on antioxidant production, we grew the Dragon Tongue beans hydroponically under two different greenhouse films. Greenhouse 1 (GH1) allows for most UV rays to pass through to the plants, while Greenhouse 2 (GH2) blocks most UV radiation. The beans in both greenhouses were supplied with identical nutrients, and other factors were also controlled such as temperature, pH, which were held constant and monitored daily. When ready, we will harvest the beans and leaves and compare overall quality (biomass, appearance, yield) as well as levels of nutrients, specifically measuring antioxidant levels. In addition to analyzing the quality of the beans, we are tracking the water usage in both hydroponic systems. Hydroponics are far more efficient in regard to water use and therefore the system we are employing dramatically lowers water consumption rates compared to traditional legume growth. If successful, this research may suggest better conditions to produce optimally nutritious hydroponic Dragon Tongue beans and inspire further research regarding similar experiments with other crops.
