Automated Composition Control of Nutrient Solution in Closed Soilless Culture Systems

1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Savvas ◽  
G. Manos
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Composition Control ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Automated Composition

Advances in soilless culture of ornamentals

2021 ◽  
pp. 401-416
Author(s):  
Erik van Os ◽  
◽  
Arca Kromwijk ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Cut Flowers ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Liquid Discharge ◽  
Plant Grown ◽  
Disease Free ◽  
Pot Plants ◽  
Pot Plant

In the production of cut flowers and pot plants there are slow developments towards closed growing systems with recirculation of the surplus nutrient solution. In some countries, such as in The Netherlands, legislation to reduce discharges is a steering factor, as well as the advantages of a disease free start, higher potential production and quality. Crops such as rose and gerbera with less than 10 plants per m2 are now grown in completely closed growing systems and are on their way towards zero liquid discharge. Crops such as freesia, amaryllis and chrysanthemum, are still experimenting with soilless culture systems. Phalaenopsis is the most important pot plant grown in The Netherlands and is on the way towards a closed growing system. This chapter discusses the progress made, key challenges and how they are being overcome.

Optimizing product quality in soilless culture systems (SCS)

2021 ◽  
pp. 321-342
Author(s):  
Pietro Santamaria ◽  
◽  
Barbara De Lucia ◽  
Angelo Signore ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Product Quality ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Culture System ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Quality Profile ◽  
Technical Factors ◽  
Main Factors

In a soilless culture system (SCS), quality parameters of produce may be improved by better control of the environmental and technical factors involved. This chapter focuses on the main factors through which it is possible to influence and improve the quality profile of soilless horticultural produce. These include the composition, electrical conductivity, pH, temperature and management of the nutrient solution (NS). The chapter also discusses biofortification and harvesting methods.

Protected Culture Systems for Strawberry Production

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 459d-459
Author(s):  
Fumiomi Takeda ◽  
Paul R. Adler ◽  
D. Michael Glenn
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Hydroponic Culture ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Nutrient Film Technique ◽  
Plant Densities

Strawberry plants (cvs. Camarosa, Chandler, Sweet Charlie, Primetime, Jewel, and Tribute) were grown in soilless culture systems in a greenhouse from October to May. Fresh-dug and runner-tip Aplug® plants were transplanted into two systems: vertically stacked pots (24 plants/m2) containing perlite and horizontal nutrient film technique troughs (13 plants/m2). Plants were fertigated continuously with recirculating nutrient solution. In a 7-month production cycle, the plug plants bloomed earlier and produced more fruit during the first month of harvest (December) than the fresh-dug plants. Higher yields from plug plants were a result of more fruit numbers and not larger fruit size. Fruit production averaged 6.0 and 3.5 kg/m2 in the trough and pot systems, respectively. The vertical growing system allows greater plant densities, but light intensity reaching the plants in the lower sections of the tower can be less than 20% of levels measured at the top. Establishment costs of protected culture systems are higher, but production is earlier and labor costs are typically reduced. Greenhouse hydroponic culture systems could extend the winter strawberry production to more northern locations.

Developments in inorganic materials, synthetic organic materials and peat in soilless culture systems

2021 ◽  
pp. 45-72
Author(s):  
Jeb S. Fields ◽  
◽  
Nazim S. Gruda ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Materials ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Organic Substrate ◽  
Resource Control ◽  
Inorganic Materials ◽  
Soilless Culture ◽  
Culture Systems ◽  
Synthetic Materials ◽  
Culture Production ◽  
The Relationship

Soilless substrates utilised in traditional hydroponics are often inorganic or synthetic materials, as opposed to organic substrate components utilised in other forms of soilless culture. As growers seek more precision production applications, more operations are shifting to soilless culture production for increased resource control. The standard substrate components utilised in soilless production have been well researched and engineered to fit into specific operations. Understanding the relationship between the substrate, water, and fertiliser in a container and knowing the movement within will allow for continued beneficial improvements in soilless culture and container horticulture industry. However, as we progress agricultural practices, new substrate materials optimised substrate materials must be developed. Here we present the traditional inorganic, synthetic organic materials and peat and how these components are developed, engineered, and processed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document