The influence of various substrates and conditions for growing microgreens was evaluated in order to establish optimal protocols for this type of culture. Two vegetables were tested - peas and kale and their seeds were sown in vermiculite, 2 cm thick rock-wool, 4 cm thick rock-wool and peat. Two locations for growing microgreens were proposed: north exposed windowsill (shady spot) and south exposed windowsill (sunny spot). Three trays of each medium and each vegetable type were placed on the windowsills at the Chair of Fruit growing, Viticulture and Vegetable growing, Department of Agronomy, Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana. Phenotypic changes were recorded during the growth. Microgreens were sprayed twice a day and at the same time substrates were watered in order to achieve optimal moisture content. On the fifteenth day after the sowing kale sprouts were ready for cutting. Pea microgreens were harvest-ready on the seventeenth day after sowing. Each repetition was weighed and the number of seeds or grown plants was counted. The height, chlorophyll content and soluble dry matter (° Brix) of 10 random shoots of each vegetable type was recorded. The weight of the entire crop per repetition was recorded, samples were taken to determine dry mass and root development was determined. Moreover, the height of kale microgreens and the length of pea tendrils were recorded. The results indicate that peat is the best substrate for growing microgreens. On the other hand, 2 cm thick rock-wool yielded least favorable results. North-exposed windowsill was superior to south-exposed windowsill. Positive and negative properties of tested substrates were determined in the study.
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