Preparing stock solutions for proportioners; selecting substrate; interpreting leaf, substrate, and water test results; and estimating crop nutrient needs are necessary skills for managing a greenhouse for zero runoff. This publication will help greenhouse managers learn these skills. The book begins with discussions on general crop needs, balancing nutrient applications with crop demand, and the units used in measuring fertilizer quantities. Subsequent chapters go into more detail about specific components of the root zone: water, fertilizer, substrate, temperature, and the biotic environment. How to use a fertilizer proportioner and the features of a well-designed water and nutrient delivery system are discussed as well. Fifty-three tables and fifteen figures supplement the text. (1996)
Controlling greenhouse runoff without affecting crop production requires close management of water and nutrient applications. Preparing stock solutions for proportioners; selecting substrate; interpreting leaf, substrate, and water test results; and estimating crop nutrient needs are necessary skills for managing a greenhouse for zero runoff.
A publication from the Natural Resouce, Agriculture, and Engineering Service (NRAES), Water and Nutrient Management for Greenhouses, NRAES-56, will help greenhouse managers learn these skills. This 110-page publication provides managers with guidelines for fulfilling crop nutrient needs while minimizing environmental risk.
Water and Nutrient Management for Greenhouses begins with a discussion of general crop needs. The proper methods for collecting and submitting leaf samples for analysis are presented. Readers will learn how to interpret such analyses to balance nutrient applications with crop demand. An easy-to-follow explanation of units for measuring fertilizer quantities can be used to compare the nutrient value of various fertilizers. Subsequent chapters go into more detail about specific components of the root zone. The water chapter covers water analyses, minimum standards for irrigation water quality, alternatives for managing water quality, and several types of irrigation systems. The fertilizer chapter discusses nutrient solution analyses, fertilizer properties, formulating fertilizer solutions and bagged fertilizers, calculating application rates, and delivering fertilizer to the crop. How to select, maintain, and use a fertilizer proportioner is also reviewed.
Substrates are described at length. The physical, chemical, thermal, and biological characteristics of substrates are presented to provide readers with an understanding of how substrate affects the root zone environment. Suggestions for selecting substrate ingredients, mixing substrate, and determining the amount of substrate needed are offered as well. The difficulties with and benefits of hydroponic culture are briefly addressed. The final chapter defines the features of a well-designed water and nutrient delivery system and reviews the pros and cons of leached versus zero-runoff systems. Fifty-three tables, fifteen figures, example calculations, an appendix of common fertilizers, and a glossary supplement the text.
|
