ASHS 2025 Conference

Nutrient biofortification in leafy vegetables can enhance dietary health benefits, improve crop nutritional quality, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Deep water culture hydroponic production along with micronutrient exploration can lead to solutions to optimize nutrient uptake. Selenium (Se), an essential micronutrient, has been shown to influence plant metabolism, particularly the synthesis of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids and glucosinolates. However, its role in modulating these phytochemicals in hydroponically grown Nasturtium officinale (watercress) remains underexplored in controlled environment agriculture systems. This study investigates the effects of selenium fertilization at varying concentrations (0, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg Se·L⁻¹) on carotenoid and glucosinolate accumulation in water cress varieties cultivated in deep water hydroponics. The controlled environment environment system provides an ideal environment for plant growth, allowing precise manipulation of nutrient levels, pH, temperature, and light intensity. The selenium treatments are based on a randomized complete block design to ensure statistical accuracy. Various growth parameters, biomass accumulation, and biochemical analyses of carotenoid and glucosinolate levels were measured to determine the interactions between selenium uptake and metabolite biosynthesis. Carotenoid content was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Glucosinolate concentrations were determined through chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods to measure bioactive compound content. Research suggests that selenium supplementation may modulate plant physiological responses and enhance carotenoid and glucosinolate synthesis. It is essential to study ways to optimize hydroponic deep water culture production systems to improve the nutritional and functional quality of leafy greens like watercress. These findings can provide information to guide controlled environment and sustainable agricultural practices. Results from this research may also advance nutrient-fortification strategies, enhance functional food development, and address micronutrient deficiencies, thereby supporting both horticultural innovation and public health. Keywords: Selenium fertilization, Beta-carotene, Deep Water Hydroponic, Watercress, Agricultural sustainability, Controlled Environment Agriculture