Vinasse is a residue that originates from the distillation of fuel alcohol. However, it contains a relative
amount of nutrients. The aim of this work was to develop a nutritive solution using vinasse and to
compare it with a commercial solution for the cultivation of lettuce, watercress and rocket. Vinasse
obtained from juice must was decanted and filtered, followed by chemical analyses of the nutrients. A
nutritive solution composed of 10% vinasse supplemented with nutrients was in agreement with the
results of the chemical analyses (a similar amount of Furlani’s solution). Experiments were then performed
in an NFT (Nutrient film technique) system. The treatments used the vinasse solution and
a commercial solution constituted from a Yara Fertilizantes product. The height of the aerial part and
the number of leaves of the crops were evaluated at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days. In most crops, the
results were very similar. The vinasse solution promoted a larger number of leaves in lettuce and the
highest aerial part in watercress. For the rocket, there were no significant differences between the two
solutions. In conclusion, a nutritive solution was developed using vinasse, and this solution provided
suitable growth, which was higher in some cases, for the crops studied herein. This study shows the great
potential of this technology as a rational alternative to vinasse disposal