Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the effects of electrolyzed solution (alkaline solution and mixed solution, mixed with the same volume of alkaline and acid solution) and nonelectrolyzed solution (KCl solution), with different strengths, on the growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) sprouts. The electrolyzed solution was generated by dissolving KCl, as an electrolyte. The 1/1 (247 mg L-1 of K+ concentration) and 112 (124 mg L-1 of K+ concentration) strength alkaline solutions promoted the plant growth. Among the 1/1 strength solutions, the plant growth was most superior in alkaline solution, followed by mixed solution (176 mg L-1 of K+ concentration), and less superior in KCl solution (175 mg L-1 of K+ concentration) . One of the reasons of the accelerated plant growth in 1/1 strength alkaline solution may be due to higher K+ concentration in the solution, because K+ acts as a fertilizer. However, in spite of the K+ concentration in 1/2 strength alkaline solution was lower than that in 1/1 strength mixed and KCl solutions, the plant growth was more promoted in 1/2 strength alkaline solution. Therefore, the superior plant growth in alkaline solutions may concern not only K+ concentration but another factors, for example, lower oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in the solution and/or easiness of mineral absoption by electrolysis.
