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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research communications

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)

Effects of hydroponic nutrient strength and Trichoderma strains on morpho-physiological and biochemical traits of mustard microgreens

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.11635
Submitted
5 September 2025
Published
12-05-2026 — Updated on 03-07-2026
Versions

Abstract

The present study evaluated the interactive effects of hydroponic nutrient with different strengths and Trichoderma strains on morpho-physiological and biochemical traits of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) microgreens. Treatments comprised of three nutrient strengths pure water (N₁), half-strength nutrient solution (N₂) and full-strength nutrient solution (N₃) in combination with three Trichoderma strains (T₁, T₂, T₃), arranged in a factorial design. Results indicated significant improvements in seed germination, vigour index, seedling height, shoot fresh weight and microgreen yield with increasing nutrient concentration. Across treatments, N₃ recorded the highest mean germination (90.5 %), vigour index (604.02) and fresh weight (75.59 mg shoot-1). Trichoderma inoculation further enhanced early growth, with T₂ producing seedlings with best vigour (606.09) and height (7.8 cm). The highest shoot population density (27.77 × 10³ shoots m-2) and fresh yield (1.503 kg m-²) were observed under N₃. Biochemical attributes also responded significantly; N₃ promoted higher chlorophyll (60.6 mg 100 g-¹ FW), carotenoids (17.6 mg 100 g-¹ FW) and antioxidant activity (72.5 %), whereas vitamin C was maximised in N₁ (79.5 mg 100 g-¹ FW), likely reflecting altered carbon allocation under nutrient-limited conditions. Shoot nitrate content declined with increasing nutrient strength and this response was independent of Trichoderma inoculation. Ash content (0.67 %) and dry matter (5.51 %) were also enhanced under N₃. Overall, the integration of nutrient solution (N₃) with Trichoderma strain T₂ provided the most consistent improvements in growth, yield and nutritional quality, suggesting a synergistic role of mineral nutrition and microbial inoculants in optimising microgreen production.

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