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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.

Water and Nutrient Management for Greenhouses was written by eleven members of the Cornell Controlled Environment Agriculture Working Group, Cornell Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University. It was edited by Thomas C. Weiler, professor of floriculture and ornamental horticulture at Cornell University, and Marty Sailus, director, NRAES.

Water and Nutrient Management for Greenhouses, NRAES-56, is available for $20.00 per copy (plus shipping and handling) from NRAES, Cooperative Extension, PO Box 4557, Ithaca, New York 14852-4557. Quantity discounts are available. Shipping and handling for single copies is $4.25 within the continental United States. New York residents, add sales tax (calculated on both the cost of publications and the shipping and handling charges. Click here for more information). If ordering multiple copies or if ordering from outside the continental United States, please contact NRAES for shipping and handling rates. Orders from outside the United States must be prepaid in U.S. funds. Checks should be made payable to NRAES. All major credit cards are accepted. For information about quantity discounts or for a free publications catalog, contact NRAES by phone at (607) 255-7654, by fax at (607) 254-8770, or by e-mail at nraes@cornell.edu. NRAES also maintains a web site at http://www.nraes.org

Tables

Figures

Chapter 1 Introduction

Law of Limiting Factors
Principles of Root Zone Management
Weights and Concentrations

Chapter 2 Crop Nutrient Needs

Mineral Nutrients
Submitting Samples
Interpreting Leaf Analyses
Estimating Crop Nutrient Needs
Balancing Supply and Demand

Chapter 3 Water: Basics, Analysis, and Delivery

Water Analysis and Interpretation
Irrigation Water Quality
Irrigation Systems

Chapter 4 Fertilizer: Basics, Analysis, and Formulation

Fertilizer Application
Solution Analysis and Interpretation
Soluble Fertilizer Development
Preplant Fertilization of Substrates
Soluble Fertilization after Planting

Chapter 5 Fertilizer Proportioners

Selecting a Proportioner
Backflow Prevention: Protecting the Water Supply
Using the Proportioner
Stock Solutions
Proportioner Types
Monitoring Proportioner Function

Chapter 6 Temperature

Influences on Crop Production
Influences on Root Zone Ecology
Temperature Management Methods
Monitoring Temperature

Chapter 7 Biotic Environment

Pests
Methods of Control
Monitoring the Biotic Environment
Contents

Chapter 8 Substrate: Basics, Analysis, and Formulation

The Need for Substrate
Ingredients for a Matrix
Physical Characteristics of Substrates
Chemical Characteristics of Substrates
Thermal Characteristics of Substrates
Biological Characteristics of Substrates
Manufacturing the Substrate
Container Volume
Hydroponic Culture Systems

Chapter 9 Water and Nutrient Delivery Systems

Design Goals
Leached Systems
Zero-Runoff Systems

Appendix A

Common Fertilizers: Properties and Application
Rates for Leached Systems

Appendix B

Conversion Factors

Glossary

References