Root temperature does play an essential part in plant growth. It influences plant dry-mass, uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Root zone temperatures between 18–22°C lose less nitrate and phosphate through emissionsMiguel Urrestarazu, María del Carmen Salas, Diego Valera, Adrián Gómez & Pilar Carolina Mazuela (2008) Effects of Heating Nutrient Solution on Water and Mineral [...]
The following procedure should be followed when mixing fertilizers in nutrient tanks: Fill the tank with water Check if the pH is between 5.5 and 6.8 Increase or decrease the pH if necessary with either an acid or base Start stirring the water in the tank. The water in the tank can also be agitated [...]
Bag culture systems requires the use of large tanks to store the nutrient mixture. The tanks are important because: The nutrients are mixed and stored in the tanksThe exact amount of nutrients can be added to a specific volume of water since the size of the tank is known.The exact amount of water can be [...]
The basis on which to choose a small nutrient tank or large nutrient tank will be: The relative volume circulating at any given time in the whole systemThe rate at which the solution formulation must be changedThe estimated risk that diseases can enter the system and how effectively it can be controlledCapital availableAmount of water [...]
Hydroponic nutrient tanks can be made from any type of material as long as it does not react or cause a reaction with the nutrient solution. For instance, galvanized tanks are not suitable if the nutrient solutions come in direct contact with the metal. If galvanized tanks are used, the plants will show a Zn [...]
Efficiently design dripper irrigation systems will ensure long term durability with minimum maintenance. The ideal requirements for efficient operation of dripper systems are: The delivery must be uniform and drippers must not stop easily (Capillary tubes or PC-drippers give the best results)Installing drip limiters such as PC-drippers that limit flow between 1.0L.h-1 to 4.0L.h-1 provide [...]
Plastic gullies (or also called hydro-liners) are made from thick durable plastic with a thickness between 125 micron and 500 micron. The recommended thickness to use is the 500 micron plastic. Although it is much more expensive, it is also more durable especially during the building phase where people tend to walk over the plastic [...]
Blocked drippers is a cause of frustration. It happens all the time and is something all growers must be wary of. Blockages occur due to physical matter in the water, black algae or salt build-up at the tip of the dripper system. There is no cure for blockages. The main cause for blockages can be [...]
Over the years, closed hydroponic systems have been criticized quite often for their high initial capital cost and the perception that these systems have a high disease risk. During the initial development of the closed system in 1961, these criticisms might have been true since little scientific knowledge was available. Since 1961 an enormous amount [...]
