In brief
A defined EC experiment for arugula cultivar Standard, measuring yield, nitrate, glucosinolates and sensory pungency.
Literature-matched starting condition
| Variable | Condition | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Cultivar | Standard | required to transfer directly |
| pH | 5.8 ± 0.1 | study operating condition |
| EC baseline | 1.5 mS/cm | low-middle study treatment |
| EC treatments | 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1 mS/cm | exact treatment levels |
| Recipe | same balanced formulation scaled to target EC | required for interpretability |
found the balance of growth and quality in the named cultivar was strongest around 1.5–1.8 mS/cm, while 2.1 mS/cm is better treated as a higher-strength experimental condition rather than a default.
Outcomes
| Category | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Production | fresh/dry mass, leaf area, harvest time |
| Safety/quality | nitrate concentration |
| Flavour-related chemistry | glucosinolates and selected phenolics |
| Sensory | pungency, bitterness, green aroma, overall liking |
| Resource use | water, nutrient additions and electricity per harvest mass |
Claim rule
A higher glucosinolate concentration can support a mechanism for changed pungency, but sensory testing is still required. “More phytochemical” is not automatically “better tasting”.