Effect of Different Media on Growth and Nutrition of Palak ( Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis ) in Soilless Culture Systems

Palak ( Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis ), extensively cultivated in India, frequently experiences insufficient resource utilization and variable productivity and quality under traditional field conditions. Although soilless cultivation systems present promising alternatives, few studies have compared the effects of different growing media on the growth, yield, and nutritional quality of palak under nutrient film technique (NFT) and Dutch bucket systems; therefore, this research assessed cocopeat, lightweight expandable clay aggregate (LECA), and rockwool for palak cultivation within these systems. The findings indicated that the cocopeat medium significantly increased plant height by 48.90%, total plant fresh weight by 261.80%, leaf area by 86.52%, yield/plant by 114.60%, iron content by 23.30%, ascorbic acid by 10.30%, and chlorophyl content by 11.40% in comparison to the LECA medium in the NFT system. In the Dutch bucket system, cocopeat significantly enhanced plant height (42.10%), total plant fresh weight (314.40%), leaf area (46.76%), yield/plant (135.50%), iron content (26.00%), ascorbic acid (12.10%), and chlorophyl content (19.70%) relative to the LECA medium. A gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) study of palak leaves (best treatment) tentatively annotated thirteen compounds exhibiting antimicrobial and antifungal properties. The study revealed cocopeat to be the best growing medium for palak in hydroponic conditions since it provided the best growth, production, and nutritional quality.