Development of Coriander Microgreens as a Function of the Ionic Strength of the Nutritional Solution and Seed Coating

The biometric growth and productivity variables of coriander seeded on coconut powder substrate and covered or not by the same after sowing and irrigated with nutrient solutions were evaluated.

The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD), with four replicates/blocks, in a 2 × 3 factorial scheme, with two forms of seed placement on the substrate (covered seeds, i.e., substrate-seed-substrate or uncovered seeds, substrate-seed) combined with three different ionic strength levels of nutrient solution (distilled water and solution with 25% and 50% ionic strength), totaling six treatments. At 14 days after sowing, the plants were harvested and the biometric variables of growth and productivity were evaluated.

The values of the hypocotyl diameter, cotyledon length and specific leaf area of ​​plants from seeds covered with substrate were higher. The fresh weight of the aerial part and the productivity of plants, originated from seeds covered and irrigated with nutrient solution of 25% and 50% ionic strength, were higher.

Covering the seeds after sowing, combined with the application of Arnon and Hoagland nutrient solution 25% or 50% ionic strength, provided the best development of coriander microgreens. However, for reasons of production costs, the solution with the lowest ionic strength (25%), that is, with the lowest concentration of minerals, can be considered more efficient for growing indoor microgreens.