Possible effects of regulating hydroponic water temperature on plant growth, accumulation of nutrients and other metabolites

Abstract

Water temperature can affect many physiological processes during plant growth and development. Temperatures below or above optimum levels may influence plant metabolic activities positively or negatively. This may include accumulation of different metabolites such as phenolic compounds, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nutrient uptake, chlorophyll pigment formation, the photosynthesis process and finally the growth and development of the plant. The optimum temperature of the growth
medium can contribute to improving and optimising the earlier mentioned plant physiological processes. Information on how the temperature of hydroponic solution influences certain flowering plant production in glasshouses during the winter period is limited. This review suggests the possible benefits of regulating temperatures of the hydroponic solution with the aim of optimising production of flower in the glasshouse during winter periods.

Keywords: Chlorophyll, nutrient uptake, phenolic compounds, photosynthesis rate, reactive oxygen species