In an effort to advance water management techniques within the hydroponic greenhouse cultivation of cut roses, a recent study delved into the efficacy of deficit irrigation strategies. This research, a factorial experiment, explored the impact of three distinct irrigation treatments—full irrigation (FI), partial root drying (PRD), and sustained deficit irrigation (SDI)—coupled with varying doses of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) foliar application (0, 15, and 30 ppm) to alleviate stress.
The results of this comprehensive study revealed noteworthy insights into the potential of deficit irrigation strategies to optimize rose cultivation in hydroponic greenhouses. Drought stress was found to elevate crucial biochemical parameters, such as proline and total phenol content, signifying the plant’s adaptive response to stress conditions.
Of particular significance, the PRD treatment displayed a remarkable 40% increase in flower yield when compared to the SDI treatment. This underscores the positive influence of PRD on drought tolerance, as it fosters osmotic and elastic adjustments. Consequently, the PRD-treated plants exhibited higher relative water content and longer root lengths, contributing to significantly improved biomass water use efficiency compared to the other methods.
Furthermore, the study demonstrated that within the PRD treatment, water use efficiency (WUE) experienced a substantial boost, with a 26% and 61% increase in yield WUE compared to the FI and SDI treatments, respectively. These findings highlight the pronounced advantages of the PRD strategy, not only in terms of enhancing growth characteristics and water use efficiency but also in promoting sustainability, reducing the environmental impact of greenhouse toxic wastewater, and enhancing overall greenhouse profitability.
It is noteworthy that the research also unveiled the positive impact of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) in mitigating and, in some instances, enhancing specific traits under drought stress conditions. This underscores the potential of innovative approaches to further optimize rose cultivation in hydroponic greenhouses.
In conclusion, this study demonstrates the promising prospects of deficit irrigation techniques, particularly the PRD strategy, in improving the quality and yield of cut roses while simultaneously enhancing water use efficiency. These insights have profound implications for advancing the sustainability and economic viability of hydroponic greenhouse cultivation, ultimately contributing to the reduction of its environmental footprint.