Effect of Substrate on Microgreens Production

Microgreens are currently gaining raising attention due to their potential in improving nutritional security. Substrates are regarded as a major aspect that might affect microgreen yields. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different substrates on the production of microgreens in 13 different plant species. A chamber experiment was set up at the Agricultural University of Athens. The microgreens were grown under stable temperatures in plastic containers (13,5 cm diameter) filled with two different substrates (perlite and compost). The plant species used for the production of microgreens were chia, false flax, flax, maize, sorghum, tritordeum, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, lentil, chickpea, fenugreek and mustard. When the plants reached the harvest stage, they were removed from the chamber and cut using scissors. A precision balance was used to calculate the yield for each species. It was noted that the yields were notably lower in perlite. In particular, in the majority of the assessed species, compost increased the microgreens yield by more than two-times fold. Amongst the two substrates, compost was found more suitable to produce microgreens.