Unit 3 Soilless Systems Lesson 32 Hydroponics Principles of Agricultural Science Plant Types of Hydroponic Systems Media Based Aggregate Culture Ebb and Flow Drip System Wick System ID: 344576
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Methods and Monitoring of HydroponicsUnit 3 – Soilless SystemsLesson 3.2 Hydroponics
Principles of Agricultural Science – PlantSlide3
Types of Hydroponic SystemsMedia Based (Aggregate Culture)
Ebb and Flow
Drip System
Wick System
Water Culture
NFT (Nutrient Flow Technique)
AeroponicsSlide4
Ebb and FlowThe growing media is flooded and drained manually or mechanically
This method relies on a media, such as peat moss that will retain the moisture and nutrients after floodingSlide5
Drip SystemContains a drip line that slowly adds nutrient solution to media
Nutrient solution drains back to a reservoir
Nutrient solution is recycled via a pumpSlide6
Wick SystemBottom feed system
Media contains a wick that will absorb the nutrient solution through capillary action from a container below the plant
The wick must be primed to maintain the absorption of the nutrient solutionSlide7
Nutrient Flow TechniquePlants are supported with rockwool cubes or cups allowing the roots to dangle in solution
The tubes or cups sit in channels where the nutrient solution runs along the bottom
The nutrient solution will be recycled via a pump and reservoirSlide8
AeroponicsPlant roots are misted with the nutrient solution
The misting may be constant or cycled on a timer
This type of system will conserve nutrients and waterSlide9
Management of a Hydroponic SystemYou must monitor the levels of the following requirements:
pH
Salinity or Electrical Conductivity
Dissolved Oxygen
Nutrient LevelsSlide10
pHRemember from soils:
pH is measured from a range of 1 to 14 with 7 being neutral, 1-6.9 acidic, and 7.1-14 being alkaline.
The pH of the nutrient solution will determine the amount of nutrients absorbed by the plant.
Most nutrient ions are absorbed between a pH of 5.5 to 8.0.Slide11
SalinityJust as you learned in soils, salinity causes root absorption problems and should be monitored.Slide12
Electrical Conductivity (EC)EC measures the amount of electricity conducted by the nutrient solution
The higher the EC the more nutrients found in the solution
The higher the EC can also lead to problems with salinity – make sure the EC levels are optimal for the plant species being grownSlide13
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)Because some hydroponic systems submerge the roots underwater, oxygen must be present in the solution or roots die.
Ways to increase DO concentration:
Aerate with bubblers
Allow water to run over objects to create turbulence in the flowSlide14
NutrientsPlants will use nutrients from the water. A closed system will need to have these nutrients replenished to maintain growth.
The three main nutrients to be concerned about are:
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
PotassiumSlide15
References
The Growing Edge. (2008).
The growing edge of hydroponic basics
. Retrieved November 1, 2008, from
http://www.growingedge.com/basics/start.html