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There are many similarities between in-ground soil based agriculture and soil less production, While the basic plant biology is always same. However it is worth investigating major differences between soil and soil-less production in order to bridge the gap between traditional in-ground practices and newer soil-less techniques. Generally the differences are between the use of fertilizer and consumption of water, the ability to use non-arable land, and overall productivity. In addition, soil-less agriculture is typically less labor-intensive. Finally, soil-less techniques support monocultures better than does in-ground agriculture.

Fertilizer:-

Soil chemistry, especially relating to the availability of nutrients and the dynamics of fertilizers, is a full discipline and fairly complex. Fertilizer addition is required for intensive in-ground cultivation. However, farmers cannot fully control the delivery of these nutrients to plants because of the complex process occurring in the soil, including biotic and abiotic interactions. The sum of these interactions determines the availability of the nutrients to the plant roots. Conversely, in soil-less culture, the nutrients are dissolved in a solution that is delivered directly to the plants, and can be tailored specifically to plant's needs. Plants in soil-less culture grow in contained inert media. These media do not interfere with the delivery of nutrients, which can occur in soil, in addition, the media physically support the plants and keep the roots wet and aerated. Moreover, with in-ground agriculture, some of the fertilizers may be lost to weeds and runoff, which can decrease efficiency while causing environmental concerns. Fertilizer is expensive and can make up a large part of the budget for in-ground farming.
The tailored management of fertilizer in soil-less agriculture has two main advantages. First, minimal fertilizer is lost to chemical, biological or physical processes. These losses decrease efficiency and can add to the cost. Second, the nutrient concentrations can be precisely monitored and adjusted according to the requirements of the plants at particular growth stages. This increased control can improve productivity and enhance the quality of the products.

Water Use:-

Water use in hydroponics and aquaponics is much lower than in soil production. Water is lost form in-ground agriculture through evaporation from the surface, transpiration through the leaves, percolation into the subsoil, runoff and weed growth. However, in soil-less culture, the only water use is through crop growth and transpiration through the leaves. The water used is the absolute minimum needed to grow the plants, and only a negligible amount of water is lost for evaporation from the soil-less media. Overall, aquaponics uses only about 10 percent of the water needed to grow the same plant in soil. Thus, soil-less cultivation has great potential to allow production where water is scarce or expensive.

Utilization of non-arable land:-

Owning to the fact that soil is not needed, soil-less culture methods can be used in areas with non-arable land. One common place for aquaponics is in urban and peri-urban areas that cannot support traditional soil agriculture.  Aquaponics can be used on the ground floor, in basements (using grow lights) or on rooftops. Urban-based agriculture can also reduce the production footprint because transport needs are greatly reduced. Urban agriculture is local agriculture and contributes to the local economy and local food security. Another important application for aquaponics is in other areas where traditional agriculture cannot be employed. Such as in area that are extremely dry (deserts and other arid climates), where the soil has high salinity (coastal and coral sand islands) where the soil quality has been degraded through over-use of fertilizers or lost because of erosion or mining, or in general where arable land is unavailable owing to tenure, purchase costs and land rights. Globally, the arable land suitable for farming is decreasing, and aquaponics is one method that allows people to intensively grow food where in-ground agriculture is difficult or impossible.

Productivity and yield:-

The most intensive hydroponic culture can achieve 20 - 25 percent higher yields than the most intensive soil-based culture, although rounded down data by hydroponic experts claim productivity 2 - 5 times higher. This is when hydroponic culture uses exhaustive greenhouse management, including expensive inputs to sterilize and fertilize the plants. Even without the expensive inputs, the aquaponic techniques described in this publication can equal hydroponic yields and be more productive than soil. The main reason is the fact that soil-less culture allows the farmer to monitor, maintain and adjust the growing conditions for the plants, ensuring optimal real-time nutrient balances, water delivery, pH and temperature. In addition, in soil-less culture, there is no competition with weeds and plant benefit from higher control of pests and diseases.

Reduced Workload:-

Soil-less culture does not require ploughing, tilling, mulching or weeding. On large farms, this equates to lower reliance on agriculture machinery and fossil fuel usage. In small-scale agriculture, this equates to an easier, less labor-intensive exercise for the farmer, especially because most aquaponic units are raised off the ground, which avoids stooping. Harvesting is also a simple procedure compared with soil-based agriculture, and products do not need extensive cleaning to remove soil contamination. Aquaponics is suitable for any gender and many age classes and ability levels of people.

Sustainable monoculture:-

With soil-less culture, it is entirely possible to grow the same crops in monoculture, year after year. In-ground monocultures are more challenging because the soil becomes tired, loses fertility, and pests and diseases increase. In soil-less culture, there is simply no soil to lose fertility or show tiredness, and all the biotic and abiotic factors that prevent monoculture are controlled. However, all monocultures require a higher degree of attention to control epidemics compared with polyculture.

Increased complication and high initial investment:-

The labor required for the initial set-up and installation, as well as the cost, can discourage farmers from adopting soil-less culture. Aquaponics is also more expensive than hydroponics because the plant production units need to be supported by aquaculture installations. Aquaponics is a fairly complex system and requires daily management of three groups of organisms. If any one part of the system fails, the entire system can collapse. In addition, aquaponics requires reliable electricity. Overall, aquaponics is far more complicated than soil-based gardening. Once people are familiar with the process, aquaponics becomes very simple and the daily management becomes easier. There is a learning curve, as with many new technologies, and any new aquaponic farmer needs to be dedicated to learn. Aquaponics is not appropriate for every situation, and the benefits should be weighed against the costs before embarking on any new venture.

Category		Soil-based	Soil-less
Production	Yield	Variable, depending on soil characteristics and management.	Very high with dense crop production.
	Production Quality	Dependent on soil characteristics and management. Products can be of lower quality due to inadequate fertilization/treatments.	Full control over delivery of appropriate nutrients at different plant growth stages. Removal of environmental, biotic and abiotic factors that impair plant growth in soil (soil structure, soil chemistry, pathogens, pests).
	Sanitation	Risk of contamination due to use of low quality water and/or use of contaminated organic matter as fertilizer.	Minimal risk of contamination for human health.
Nutrition	Nutrient delivery	High variability depending on the soil characteristics and structure. Difficult to control the levels of nutrients at the root zone.	Real time control of nutrients and pH to plants at the root zone. Homogeneous and accurate supply of nutrients according to plants growth stages. Needs monitoring and expertise.
	Nutrient use efficiency	Fertilizers widely distributed with minimum control of nutrients according to growth stage. Potentially high nutrient loss due to leaching and runoff.	Minimal amount used. Uniform distribution and real time adjustable flow of nutrients. No leaching.
Water use	System efficiency	Very sensitive to soil characteristics, possible water stress in plants, high dispersal of nutrients.	Maximized, all water loss can be avoided. Supply of water can be fully controlled by sensors. No labor costs for watering, but higher investment.
	Salinity	Susceptible to salt build up, depending on soil and water characteristics. Flushing salt out uses large amounts of water.	Depends on soil and water characteristics. Can use saline water, but needs salt flush-out that requires higher volumes of water.
Management	Labor and equipment	Standard, but machines are needed for soil treatment (ploughing) and harvesting which rely on fossil fuels. More manpower needed for operations.	Expertise and daily monitoring using relatively costly equipment are both essential. High initial set-up costs. Simpler handling operations for harvest.

Soilless Cultures

Many methods of soilless culture are being used successfully. Some of the media used are peat, vermiculite, perlite, sand, pumice, rice hulls, and plastic Styrofoam. Often mixtures of these media are used in various proportions. Growing trials with various mixtures determine which proportions are most suitable to the plants in question. For example, flowering potted plants such as chrysanthemums, poinsettias, and Easter lilies and tropical foliage plants can be grown well in mixtures of peat-sand-pumice in a 2:1:2 ratio.

Peat: -

• Peat consists of partially decomposed aquatic, marsh, bog, or swamp vegetation. The composition of different peat deposits varies widely, depending on the vegetation from which it originated, the state of decomposition, mineral content, and degree of acidity
• There are three types of peats: moss peat, reed-sedge, and peat humus. Peat moss is the least decomposed and is derived from sphagnum, hypnum, or other mosses.
• It has a high moisture holding capacity (10 times its dry weight), high in acidity (PH 3.8 - 4.5), and contains a small amount of nitrogen (about 1.0%) but little or no phosphorus or potassium. Peat from hypnum and other kinds of mosses breaks down rapidly, as compared with sphagnum, and is not as desirable. Peat from sedges, reeds, and other swamp plants also decomposes rapidly.

Vermiculite: - 

• Vermiculite is a micaceous mineral, which is expanded when heated in furnaces at temperatures near 1093 degree Celsius. The water turns to steam, popping the layer apart, forming small, porous, sponge-like kernels. Heating to this temperature gives complete sterilization.
• Chemically, it is a hydrated magnesium-aluminium-iron silicate. When expanded, it is very light in weight (6-10lb/ft3) (96-160 kg/m3), neutral in reaction with good buffering properties, and insoluble in water, it is able to absorb large quantities of water, 3-4 gal/ft3 (0.4-0.5 mL/cm3).
• It has a relatively high cation exchange capacity and thus can hold nutrients in reserve and later release them. It contains some magnesium and potassium, which can be used by plants.
• Horticultural vermiculite is graded in four sizes:-
  • particles from 5 to 8 mm in diameter.
  • regular horticultural grade, from 2 to 3 mm.
  • particles from 1 to 2 mm
  • most useful as a seed-germinating medium, from 0.75 to 1 mm.

• Expanded vermiculite should not be pressed or compacted when wet, as this will destroy its desirable porous structure.

Perlite: -

• Perlite is a siliceous material of volcanic origin, mined from lava flows. The crude ore is crushed and screened, then heated in furnaces to about 760 degree Celsius, at which temperature the small amount of moisture in the particles changes to steam, expanding the particles too small, sponge like kernels, which are very light, weighing only 5-8 lb/ft3 (80-128 kg/m3).
• The high processing temperature gives a sterile product. A particle size of 0.063-0.13 in. (1.6 - 3.1 mm) in diameter is usually used in horticultural applications. Perlite will hold three to four times its weight of water.
• It is essentially neutral, with a pH of 6.0 -8.0, but with no buffering capacity; unlike vermiculite, it has no cation exchange capacity and contains no minor nutrients. It is most useful in increasing aeration in a mixture since it has a very rigid structure. While it does not decay, the particle size can become smaller by fracturing as it is handled.
• A fine grade is useful primarily for seed germination, while a coarser type of horticultural grade is best suited for mixing with peat, in equal parts, for propagation or with mixtures of peat and sand for growing plants.

Pumice: -

• Pumice, like perlite, is a siliceous material of volcanic origin. However, it is the crude ore that is obtained after crushing and screening without any heating process. It has essentially the same properties as perlite, but is heavier and does not absorb water as readily since it has not been hydrated. It is used in mixtures of peat and sand for the growing of potted plants.

Rice Hulls: -

• Rice Hulls are the outer husk or shell of the rice grain. After the rice grains are dried, the outer hulls are removed in the milling as a by-product. The rice hulls are thin, feather-light, and pointed in shape similar to rice grains.
• They do not decompose readily, lasting from 3 to 5 yr. They are neutral in pH and have no nutrients. Their smooth surface does not allow them to retain moisture. They are used in the raw state to free up heavy soils to help oxygenate the soils.
• They can also be used as a hydroponic substrate. They are mixed with peat or coco coir, usually at 20% of rice hulls. However, most soilless mixes using rice hulls prefer to use charcoaled rice hulls. This is done extensively in the greenhouse flower industry. Rice charcoal is created by burning (smouldering) the rice hulls very slowly. After burning, their structure becomes full of tiny pores, thus increasing their water-holding capacity and capillary action. Also, in this state with their large surface area, they provide sites for beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms and therefore are an excellent soil amendment.

Soilless mixtures: -

Most mixtures contain some combination of sand, peat, perlite, pumice, and vermiculite. The specific proportion of each component used depends on the plants grown. The following are some useful mixtures.

Peat: Perlite: Sand	2:2:1 for potted plants
Peat: Perlite	1:1 for the propagation of cuttings
Peat: Sand	1:1 for the propagation of cuttings and for potted plants
Peat: Sand	1:3 for bedding plants and nursery container-grown stocks
Peat: vermiculite	1:1 for the propagation of cuttings
Peat: sand	3:1 lightweight, excellent aeration, for pots and beds, good for azaleas, gardenias
Vermiculite: perlite	1:1 lightweight good for the propagation of cuttings
Peat: Pumice: Sand	2:2:1 for potted plants.

 

Benefits of Potassium Sulfate for Hydroponic Gardening: -

Potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) also known as sulfate of potash, arcanite, or archaically known as potash of sulfur) is a white crystalline, non-flammable salt soluble in water. The chemical compound is commonly used in fertilizers, providing both potassium and sulfur.

The application of "K" (Potassium) in nutrient formulae depends upon its chemical combination with other elements that affect both crop quality and yield. Since potassium fertilizers are derived from natural products, they may contain substances other than K, S, and Cl that influence plant growth. Thus, choosing the right type of potash fertilizer can be as vital as applying the right amount of potash to the crop.

Potash fertilizers are available in two main types in which potassium is combined with either chloride or sulfate. They are sulfate of potash (SOP) and muriate of potash (MOP). Potassium sulfate and potassium chloride differ in their effects on plants. Potassium in a fertilizer exists as a neutral, acid, or alkaline salt in which the cation K+ is combined with an anion: Cl or SO4. When the plant takes up K+ ion, it also absorbs an anion to maintain electrical neutrality. Anions containing S, are incorporated in plant materials thus losing their ionic form, but Cl remains in the ionic form.

Thus, the concentration gradient of Cl in the plant is less steep than that of the other anions. Moreover, certain crops are particularly sensitive to chlorine, and for these, the use of chloride-containing fertilizers should be avoided. Crops are also sensitive to salinity which is a serious problem particularly in an arid area; again, chloride should be avoided in such cases.

Also, Sulphur is a major plant nutrient, and plants require a continuous and sufficient supply of sulfur of the same order as that for P. Therefore, potassium sulfate is an essential salt and an excellent source of K and S that cannot be missed from your nutrient channel.

Most often SOP is used on high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, nuts, tea, coffee and tobacco. The fertilizer works better on crops that are sensitive to chloride, which can sometimes have a toxic impact on fruit and vegetable plants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potassium Sulfate uses: -

• Sturdy stalk and stems
• Resistance from drought and diseases
• Resistance from drought and diseases
• Enhances the quality of fruit
• Strong Roots
• Activates enzyme reaction
• Synthesis Proteins
• Promotes thickness of the outer cell wall
• Improves colour and flavour
• Forms starch and sugar
• Regulates water flow in cells and leaves
• Potassium is an essential cofactor in the production of ATP

"It's not what you eat, it's what you absorb,"  a phrase that applies equally to the uptake of essential nutrients by plants. Application of an essential plant nutrient does not always mean that the plant will be able to uptake that mineral and then move it through the vascular system into the plant tissues.

The availability of plant nutrients is in fact dictated by the form of the mineral, environmental temperature, humidity, photosynthesis, pH of the root zone, and most importantly the relative concentration of each mineral in the nutrient solution. It is the balance of these minerals that are often forgotten when growers are formulating plant nutrient recipes and adding supplements to reach specifically targeted mineral compositions.

There is a well-known system that classifies essential plant nutrients into "macro" and "micro" categories based on their concentrations in the plant tissue. Less understood is the relationship of the electrical charge of the individual ions and how it affects their bioavailability to the plant. Ions exist as either positively charged (cations) or negatively charged (anions) depending on the balance of electrons (negative) versus protons (positive). It is the strength of the ionic charge that will affect the movement of the ions into and out of the plant. By understanding the strength of the positive or negative charge of essential plant nutrients, we can begin to comprehend the selective ion uptake mechanisms of a plant's physiology. The table below shows the elemental forms of plant nutrients and their ionic charges in the forms that are available for plant uptake.

The movement of ions into plant roots occurs by both active and passive transport. Passive transport means that the ions are carried with the uptake of water into the plant without energy from the plant. The water movement factors that affect passive transport are temperature, humidity, photosynthesis rates, the concentration of ions in solution versus within the plant cell, and plant transpiration rates based on the stage of growth. Active transport requires energy from the plant and ion movement is determined by competition between ions based on their individual charge. The monovalent ions (single charged) are moved into the plant more easily than divalent ions (double charged), while divalent ions are taken up more easily than trivalent ions (triple charged). This means that the plant will accumulate more potassium (a monovalent ion) than calcium and magnesium (divalent ions) due to the difference in their charge. Plants typically maintain a negative interior (inside the plasma membrane) relative to the exterior. The slightly negative state of the cell interior and the environment must be maintained and, thus, is related to ion uptake. When there are more cations than anions present, the overall charge becomes excessively positive, and an increase in anions or a decrease in cation uptake occurs to restore physiological conditions. For example, an excess of ammonium (NH4+) cations decreases the uptake of potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), and Magnesium (Mg2+). The same relationship exists for anions - excess anions lead to a lower uptake of anions or an increase in cations to balance the cell’s charge. If nitrate (NO3-) is the major anion in excess, then the uptake of cations such as potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), and Magnesium (Mg2+) will increase to compensate for the overall negative charge caused by excess nitrate levels.

Many growers give themselves labels based on the types of inputs they use in their gardens, often referring to "strict organic practices" or "sterile, mineral-based hydro". Perhaps you're the type of gardener who avoids "chemicals", or only uses "organics", but can you define these terms? What makes something truly organic? Every grower should understand what they put into their gardens and why.

What is a chemical?

When we use words like chemicals or chemistry, we are simply referring to the study and use of elements from the Periodic Table. The elements found in the Periodic Table are the basic atoms that make up everything on this planet and many chemicals that exist in the natural world. All Plants produce chemicals throughout their life cycle. In an organic garden, we rely on microorganisms to convert organic matter into chemical forms that are taken up by plants. Chemicals can originate from natural sources. In some respects, organic gardening is a natural way of feeding chemicals to plants.

So, the next logical question: What is Organic?

Chemists and physicists will tell you that nearly any compound containing carbon is organic, whether that compound is natural or not. The truth is many natural substances are not organic. For example, certain types of naturally occurring rocks are crushed to make fertilizers that contain inorganic phosphorus. Those rocks are technically inorganic, even though they were mined directly from the ground. Many gardeners and agricultural professionals use the word organic to describe fertilizers and plant products that are derived exclusively from plants and animals (manure, kelp, bone meal, etc.). By that definition of the word, Organic growers cannot use inorganic substances, even if they occur naturally.

One thing to keep in mind: many organic garden products contain inorganic salts. Two popular examples are bat guano and seaweed extract. Because these are derived from animals and plants, they qualify for organic gardening. However, the lab analysis shows a dash of inorganic material included in the final products.

Confused yet?

What are Minerals?

The Periodic Table contains (among other things) the 17 elements required for plants to live: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, and zinc. Many scientists and university studies give evidence that silicon should be added to that list as well. Minerals occur in nature, but they are not sourced from plants or animals. These minerals may come from crushed rocks, or they may be generated in a lab via chemical processes. When looking at basic elements and minerals, there is no difference between the crushed rock form and the laboratory derivative. It may take millions of years to accumulate rock formations, which then have to be mined and pulverized, so the laboratory version is much faster. Mining can be quite harmful to the environment, not to mention, expensive and unsafe for workers. Depending on the specific element, one method may be better suited than another for obtaining these minerals with the least environmental and budgetary impact.

In recent years, there has been increased discussion regarding the use of high-quality or low-quality minerals in plant foods. The real difference in quality can be determined by the level of contaminants in the final product. Pure, uncontaminated elements are the same, regardless of the source. Elements and compounds that are not available to plants can bog down roots and slow nutrient absorption and availability. For the highest quality mineral plant foods, avoid contaminants and questionable ingredients.

Reasons for using organics

There is little argument that mineral fertilizers can more easily burn plants if used carelessly. Overfeeding is always a concern, but is less likely when using organics. Microbes and fungi must work to convert elements into plant available forms, which slows reactions in the root zone as it becomes nutrient rich. While overfeeding with organics is possible, the microbiology at work in the root zone offers a natural buffer. The flavour of organically grown tomatoes, culinary herbs, and resin-producing plants is often said to be better and more complex than crops grown with minerals. The fact is that low-quality or high-quality harvests can be grown with either mineral or organic inputs. One reason why well maintained organic gardens often produce very deep aromas and flavours is, in part, because overfeeding has been avoided.

Reasons for Using Minerals

We live in an age where plant chemistry and biology have been analyzed to an exacting degree. Scientists have discovered which elements are taken up by plants, and the specific ratios required for optimum performance. Mineral nutrient formulations can be made using highly available forms, allowing plants to absorb them right away. This process can lead to faster growth, bigger harvests, and increased quality. Many hobby gardeners grow delicious tomatoes in their backyards, using mineral salts from the local garden centre. Even without organics, mineral-grown crops can offer increased flavours and aromas, as long as the grower does not over-use plant foods or harvest prematurely. Attention to detail is required when using mineral fertilizers, and there is no need to sacrifice quality by overdosing plants. When given the correct amounts of mineral inputs, plants can achieve optimum health. Overall plant health is the key to both higher yield and quality.

Hybrid Nutrient Systems

Growers all over the world have achieved big yields and potent flavours by using organics and minerals together. Both offer unique benefits, and there is no reason you can't use them in tandem to get the best of both worlds.

Many naturally occurring inorganic compounds are not only safe for plants, they are safe enough for you to eat! Don't reject the idea of using organics, minerals or both before doing some research on the pros, cons and effectiveness of each type of nutrient.

What are you feeding your plants?

Not every garden product should be assumed to be safe or effective. Learn about the elements your plants require and the additional organic inputs that offer increased quality. With a little bit of knowledge and high-quality plant nutrients whether organic, mineral, or both, your garden will flourish!

 

• Hydroponic is the act of raising plants without using soil, but rather in a water medium with nutrients.
• The plants are placed in a hydroponic system that supplies the required nutrients to the roots with the help of the water medium.
• The use of hydroponic has helped farmers to evade serious seedling diseases and pests like fungus and gnats, which mostly attack in moist soils.
• Media like coconut fibre, plugs, and peat pots have necessary nutrients and ensure that the seeds have a healthy growth.
• Rockwool or oasis can serve as a medium, the seedlings can be transplanted along with the cube into a complete hydroponic system later.
• Rapid rooters are mostly used as a medium as they have large numbers of important microbes and Mycorrhizal fungi that help in colonizing the root thus maximizing uptake of nutrients by the plant and evade serious diseases.

Other options:-

• Other than rapid rooters, there are other hydroponic options you can go for like, rock wool, coconut fibre, peat and oasis cube.
• While the rapid rooters retain a lot of water, oasis and coir retain very little water.
• The rock wool has a high PH concentration; therefore, the cubes should be rinsed in the solution of both water and vinegar to neutralize the PH before putting the seeds in the cubes to grow.
• Mix a teaspoon of vinegar in a cup half-filled with water and dip the cubes into the resulting solution shaking off the excess.
• Rock wool needs more attention because it is alkaline in nature.

Location: -

• The container should be placed where it can receive maximum light.
• If you choose to grow your seeds in the house, the convenient places are like on a table or near a window where there is partial light either in the morning or in the afternoon.
• In case you want to grow outside, then you should select a partially sunny location like a porch.
• The container should be away from heavy rainfall and winds.
• Since the container is small and portable, it should be moved from one place to another to protect it from bad weather.

Maintenance: -

• Water should be added only when the cubes start to get dry. Because much water favours the development of molds on the rock wool.
• On the other hand, if there is no water for a long time the seeds will not germinate. Thus, the cubes should be moist but not wet or dry.
• When the seedlings reach 2 inches in height, add diluted nutrient solution or fish water to the water in the container. This will greatly boost the root growth.

Transplanting: -

• The seedlings are ready for transplanting to a hydroponics grow system when they reach 3-4 inches in height. Look for 3 to 4 true leaves.
• Fill the net pot with clay pellets until it is half full. Which supports the plants.
• The best time of day to plant is in the late afternoon when the sun is not hot, and the wind has calmed down. By taking advantage of this time of day, the new plants have overnight to acclimate.
• Strong sun and wind are very hard on new transplants. Unless watered carefully, and in some cases provided with some shelter from the wind and sun, they can severely wilt.
• This places the plants under stress at the very beginning of their growing cycle and is not a good idea because sometimes they never bounce back and don't thrive as well as they could have.

Know your water to know your best water soluble fertilizer options.

Water quality is the single most important factor in determining solubility and nutrient availability for plants. It's especially important that you test for the key parameters like pH, TDS and EC if you have one of the following factors:

•  Borewell water
• Change in irrigation water source
•  Multiple sources of irrigation water
•  Recent flooding or droughts

The primary considerations when formulating and evaluating your plant nutrition program are:

1. Nutritional content of the water
2. Its effect on growing media pH
3. Its content of potentially toxic components

With today's soilless growing media, water's alkalinity is the main area of focus. Alkalinity is a measure of how much buffering the water will provide to the given growing media.
If alkalinity is too low, the growing media pH can plunge due to acidic influences like fertilizer, growing media components and plant root exudates. If this happens micronutrient toxicities can occur. Conversely, if alkalinity is too high, growing media pH can soar, leading to deficiencies in micronutrients, such as iron. In this case, you may be applying plenty of iron, but it becomes unavailable to the plant at higher growing media pH.
A thorough water analysis will measure the alkalinity of your irrigation water as well as many other elements. Having your water tested can make the difference between growing a good crop and growing a great crop!

The four main water types:

While it's important to get complete water analysis of your irrigation supply, you can base your fertilizer choices on your water type category and the plants you're growing.

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