Title : Hydroponic Food Production: A Definitive Guidebook for the Advanced Home Gardener and the Commercial Hydroponic Grower, Seventh Edition
Author : Howard M. Resh
Publisher : CRC Press; 7th edition (August 9, 2012)
Volume : 560 pages
ISBN : 9781439878675
Hydroponic Food Production: A Definitive Guidebook for the Advanced Home Gardener and the Commercial Hydroponic Grower, Seventh Edition is a comprehensive guide to soilless culture with extensively new and updated contents from the previous edition published in 2001. Meant for hobby and commercial growers, the book:
- Shows the reader how to set up a hydroponic operation with the options of using any of the many hydroponic cultures presently used in the industry to grow vegetable crops
- Provides background in plant physiology and nutrition essential for growing these crops
- Describes nutrient formulations and their applications in nutrient solutions with calculations
This practical guide to soilless growing practices provides detailed information on how to design, set up, and operate hydroponic culture systems. Featuring more than 500 photographs, drawings, and tables, the seventh edition of this bestselling book has been extensively updated and expanded. The text describes the most successful growing cultures to use with specific crops and details media as well as hydroponic techniques. Chapters cover nutrient uptake and mixing as well as deficiencies and their symptoms, plant nutrition, nutrient solution, water culture, tropical hydroponics and special applications, plant culture, nutrient film technique, gravel culture, and more.
Table of Contents:
Preface to the Seventh Edition ………………………………………………………… xiii
Acknowledgments……………………………………………………………………………xv
Author ………………………………………………………………………………………….. xvii
List of Figures ……………………………………………………………………………….. xix
List of Tables ………………………………………………………………………………… xxxv
Chapter 1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………..1
1.1 The Past ……………………………………………………………………………………1
1.2 The Present ……………………………………………………………………………..2
1.3 The Future ………………………………………………………………………………4
1.4 Suitable Site Characteristics ……………………………………………………..5
1.5 Soil versus Soilless Culture ……………………………………………………….6
References …………………………………………………………………………………..8
Chapter 2 Plant Nutrition ……………………………………………………………..9
2.1 Plant Constituents ……………………………………………………………………9
2.2 Mineral and Essential Elements ………………………………………………..9
2.3 Plant Mineral and Water Uptake ………………………………………………12
2.3.1 Soil ……………………………………………………………………………………..12
2.3.2 Soil and Plant Interrelations …………………………………………………..14
2.3.3 Cation Exchange …………………………………………………………………..14
2.3.4 Soil versus Hydroponics ………………………………………………………..15
2.3.5 Transfer of Water and Solutes from Soil (or Nutrient Solution) to Root ……………………………………………………………………………………………………15
2.3.6 Movement of Water and Minerals across Membranes … ………….16
2.4 Upward Movement of Water and Nutrients ……………………………….18
2.5 Plant Nutrition ………………………………………………………………………..19
2.5.1 Nutritional Disorders …………………………………………………………….20
2.5.2 Symptomatology …………………………………………………………………..21
2.5.3 Use of a Key ………………………………………………………………………….22
References …………………………………………………………………………………….29
Chapter 3 Nutrient Solution …………………………………………………………….31
3.1 Inorganic Salts (Fertilizers) …………………………………………………………31
3.2 Recommended Compounds for Complete Nutrient Solutions ………..32
3.3 Fertilizer Chemical Analyses ……………………………………………………..35
3.4 Fertilizer Impurities …………………………………………………………………37
3.5 Nutrient Formulations ……………………………………………………………..37
3.5.1 Atomic and Molecular Weights ………………………………………………38
3.5.2 Calculations of Nutrient Formulations …………………………………….40
3.5.3 Calculations for Chemical Substitutions for Fertilizers ………………45
3.5.4 Nutrient Formulation Adjustments ………………………………………….49
3.6 Nutrient Stock Solutions …………………………………………………………….51
3.6.1 Injector or Proportioner System………………………………………………51
3.6.2 Stock Solutions …………………………………………………………………….58
3.7 Preparing the Nutrient Solution ………………………………………………..78
3.7.1 Preparing Normal Strength Solutions ………………………………………78
3.7.2 Preparing Stock Solutions ……………………………………………………..79
3.8 Plant Relations and Cause of Nutrient Solution Changes ……………80
3.8.1 Nutrient Analysis ………………………………………………………………….80
3.8.2 Plant Tissue Analysis …………………………………………………………….81
3.8.3 Changing of Solutions …………………………………………………………..82
3.8.4 Adjustment of Nutrient Solutions by Use of Electrical
Conductivity …………………………………………………………………………………83
3.8.5 Maintenance of Solution Volume ……………………………………………87
References …………………………………………………………………………………….88
Chapter 4 The Medium ……………………………………………………………………89
4.1 Medium Characteristics ……………………………………………………………..89
4.2 Water Characteristics …………………………………………………………………90
4.3 Irrigation ………………………………………………………………………………….93
4.4 Pumping of Nutrient Solution into Beds ……………………………………….94
4.5 Sterilization of Medium ……………………………………………………………..95
References ………………………………………………………………………………………..96
Chapter 5 Water Culture ……………………………………………………………………97
5.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………97
5.2 Raceway, Raft, or Floating System ……………………………………………….97
5.2.1 Small and Medium-Sized Commercial Raft Systems ……………………100
5.2.2 Large Commercial Raft Culture Systems …………………………………….108
5.3 Aeroponics …………………………………………………………………………………..119
5.4 Hydroponic Grass Units ………………………………………………………………123
5.5 Alfalfa and Bean Sprouts ……………………………………………………………….129
5.5.1 Alfalfa Culture …………………………………………………………………………129
5.5.2 Mung Bean Culture ………………………………………………………………..132
5.6 Microgreens ………………………………………………………………………………134
References ………………………………………………………………………………………142
Chapter 6 Nutrient Film Technique …………………………………………………145
6.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………145
6.2 Early NFT System …………………………………………………………………..145
6.3 Later NFT Systems ………………………………………………………………….145
6.4 Commercial NFT Systems ……………………………………………………….146
6.5 Nutrient Flow Technique: Vertical Pipes, A-Frame, or Cascade Systems …………………………………………………………………………………………………….147
6.6 Gutter and Pipe NFT Channel Systems ………………………………………149
6.7 Agri-Systems NFT ………………………………………………………………….155
6.8 Hortiplan Automated NFT System …………………………………………..160
6.9 Outdoor NFT Watercress …………………………………………………………173
6.10 Ebb-and-Flow (Flood) Systems ………………………………………………188
6.11 A-Frame NFT System ……………………………………………………………..192
6.12 Summary ……………………………………………………………………………….196
References ……………………………………………………………………………………196
Chapter 7 Gravel Culture ……………………………………………………………….199
7.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………199
7.2 Media Characteristics ………………………………………………………………199
7.3 Subirrigation Gravel Culture …………………………………………………… 200
7.3.1 Frequency of Irrigation ………………………………………………………. 200
7.3.2 Speed of Pumping and Drainage …………………………………………..201
7.3.3 Effect of Irrigation Cycle on Plant Growth …………………………….202
7.3.4 Height of Irrigation …………………………………………………………….202
7.3.5 Nutrient Solution Temperature …………………………………………….202
7.3.6 Greenhouse Subirrigation System ………………………………………..203
7.3.6.1 Construction Materials …………………………………………………….203
7.3.6.2 Beds ………………………………………………………………………………203
7.3.6.3 Plenum …………………………………………………………………………..205
7.3.6.4 Nutrient Tank…………………………………………………………………. 206
7.4 Trickle Irrigation Design ………………………………………………………… 209
7.5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Trickle Irrigation …………………….214
7.6 Sterilization of Gravel between Crops ………………………………………..215
7.7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Gravel Culture ……………………….215
References ……………………………………………………………………………………216
Chapter 8 Sand Culture ………………………………………………………………… 217
8.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………… 217
8.2 Medium Characteristics …………………………………………………………… 217
8.3 Structural Details ……………………………………………………………………218
8.3.1 Beds with Plastic Liner …………………………………………………………..218
8.3.2 Greenhouse Floors Lined with Polyethylene ………………………….. 218
8.4 Drip (Trickle) Irrigation System ………………………………………………..220
8.4.1 Planning a Drip Irrigation System …………………………………………220
8.5 Watering ………………………………………………………………………………..223
8.6 Sterilization of Sand Beds between Crops ………………………………….224
8.7 Sand Culture of Herbs ……………………………………………………………..224
8.8 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sand Culture ………………………….229
References ……………………………………………………………………………………230
Chapter 9 Sawdust Culture …………………………………………………………….231
9.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………231
9.2 Growing Medium ……………………………………………………………………231
9.3 Bed System …………………………………………………………………………….232
9.4 Bag System …………………………………………………………………………….233
9.5 Nutrient Solution Distribution System ………………………………………. 240
9.6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sawdust Culture ……………………..242
References ………………………………………………………………………………………243
Chapter 10 Rockwool Culture …………………………………………………………..245
10.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………245
10.2 North American Greenhouse Vegetable Industry ………………………. 246
10.3 World Greenhouse Vegetable Industry ……………………………………….247
10.4 Rockwool Composition ……………………………………………………………248
10.5 Rockwool Cubes and Blocks …………………………………………………….249
10.6 Rockwool Slabs ………………………………………………………………………252
10.7 Rockwool Layout …………………………………………………………………….253
10.8 Irrigation System …………………………………………………………………….254
10.9 Cucumbers in Rockwool ………………………………………………………….259
10.10 Tomatoes in Rockwool …………………………………………………………… 264
10.11 Large Greenhouse Operations in North America …………………………269
10.12 Harvesting, Grading, and Packing ……………………………………………..273
10.13 Peppers in Rockwool ……………………………………………………………….284
10.14 Recirculating Rockwool Systems ………………………………………………286
10.15 Advantages and Disadvantages of Rockwool Culture …………………..291
References ………………………………………………………………………………………292
Chapter 11 Coco Coir Culture …………………………………………………………..293
11.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………293
11.2 Source of Coco Coir ………………………………………………………………..293
11.3 Coco Coir Grades and Characteristics ……………………………………….294
11.4 Coco Plugs and Blocks …………………………………………………………….295
11.5 Sustainable Agriculture Greenhouse Technology ………………………..297
11.6 Tomatoes in Coco Coir …………………………………………………………….302
11.7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Coco Coir Culture ………………….307
References …………………………………………………………………………………….308
Chapter 12 Other Soilless Cultures ……………………………………………………309
12.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………309
12.2 Media …………………………………………………………………………………….309
12.2.1 Peat …………………………………………………………………………………….309
12.2.2 Vermiculite ………………………………………………………………………..309
12.2.3 Perlite ………………………………………………………………………………..310
12.2.4 Pumice ………………………………………………………………………………310
12.2.5 Rice Hulls ………………………………………………………………………….310
12.2.6 Soilless Mixtures ……………………………………………………………….. 311
12.2.6.1 The U.C. Mix …………………………………………………………………….. 311
12.2.6.2 The Cornell “Peat-Lite” Mixes ……………………………………………..312
12.2.6.3 Fertilizer, Sphagnum Peat Moss, and
Vermiculite Mixture ………………………………………………………………………312
12.2.7 Coco Coir ……………………………………………………………………………..313
12.3 Hydroponic Herbs ……………………………………………………………………313
12.3.1 Growing Herbs in a Peat-Lite Mix …………………………………………. 314
12.3.2 Herbs in Rice Hulls ……………………………………………………………….319
12.4 Foam Culture ………………………………………………………………………….323
12.5 Perlite Culture …………………………………………………………………………324
12.5.1 Perlite Blocks and Slabs ………………………………………………………..324
12.5.2 Perlite Bato Buckets …………………………………………………………….326
12.5.3 Eggplants in Perlite Culture………………………………………………….331
12.6 Column Culture ………………………………………………………………………334
12.7 Sack Culture …………………………………………………………………………..340
12.8 Sterilization of Medium ………………………………………………………….. 344
12.9 Advantages and Disadvantages of Peat
and Coco Coir Mixtures ……………………………………………………………….. 344
References …………………………………………………………………………………..346
Chapter 13 Tropical Hydroponics and Special Applications ………………..349
13.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………349
13.2 Hidroponias Venezolanas …………………………………………………………349
13.3 Sand Culture in the Tropics ………………………………………………………350
13.4 Ebb-and-Flood Water Culture of Watercress ………………………………361
13.5 Rice Hulls–Coco Coir Culture of Tomatoes, Peppers,
and Cucumbers ……………………………………………………………………….366
13.6 Special Applications ………………………………………………………………..370
13.6.1 Hydroponics and Resorts and Spas …………………………………370
13.6.2 Hydroponic Rooftop Greenhouses ………………………………….372
13.6.3 Automated Vertical Hydroponic Systems …………………………379
13.6.4 The Science Barge ………………………………………………………..383
References ……………………………………………………………………………..384
Chapter 14 Plant Culture………………………………………………………………387
14.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………387
14.2 Seeding ………………………………………………………………………………….387
14.3 Seedling Production ………………………………………………………………..390
14.3.1 Tomato Seedling Culture ……………………………………………………..390
14.3.2 Cucumber Seedling Culture …………………………………………………393
14.3.3 Pepper Seedling Culture ………………………………………………………395
14.3.4 Eggplant Seedling Culture …………………………………………………..398
14.3.5 Lettuce Seedling Culture ……………………………………………………..398
14.3.6 Herb Seedling Culture …………………………………………………………399
14.4 Plant-Growing Temperature …………………………………………………..401
14.5 Light …………………………………………………………………………………….401
14.6 Relative Humidity and Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) …………………403
14.7 Carbon Dioxide Enrichment ……………………………………………………. 404
14.8 Transplanting ………………………………………………………………………… 404
14.9 Spacing ……………………………………………………………………………………405
14.10 Vegetative versus Generative Growth ……………………………………….. 406
14.11 Irrigation (Fertigation) ……………………………………………………………. 407
14.12 Plant Support ………………………………………………………………………… 408
14.13 Suckering and Training (Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers,
and Eggplants) ………………………………………………………………………………..410
14.14 Pollination ………………………………………………………………………………428
14.15 Physiological Disorders ……………………………………………………………432
14.16 Diseases and Insects ………………………………………………………………..437
14.16.1 Some Common Tomato Diseases …………………………………………..437
14.16.2 Some Common Cucumber Diseases ……………………………………..439
14.16.3 Insects ………………………………………………………………………………442
14.17 Vegetable Varieties ……………………………………………………………….461
14.17.1 Tomatoes …………………………………………………………………………..463
14.17.2 Cucumbers ……………………………………………………………………….463
14.17.3 Peppers …………………………………………………………………………..463
14.17.4 Eggplants ………………………………………………………………………. 464
14.17.5 Lettuce …………………………………………………………………………… 464
14.18 Green Grafting ……………………………………………………………………465
14.19 Planting Schedules ……………………………………………………………….469
14.20 Crop Termination ………………………………………………………………….471
14.21 Special Considerations …………………………………………………………….471
References ………………………………………………………………………………………473
Appendix 1: Horticultural, Hydroponic, and Soilless-Culture Societies ……475
Appendix 2: Greenhouse Production Resources ……………………………………477
Research Extension Services for Publications ………………………………………477
Some Soil and Plant-Tissue Testing Laboratories ………………………………..477
Biological-Control Agents …………………………………………………………………479
Producers ……………………………………………………………………………………….479
Distributors …………………………………………………………………………………….479
Sources of Information on Biological Control ……………………………………480
Reference ……………………………………………………………………………………480
Special Hydroponic Equipment …………………………………………………….480
Appendix 3: Units of Measurement—Conversion Factors ………………. 483
Appendix 4: Physical Constants of Inorganic Compounds ……………… 485
Appendix 5: Greenhouse and Hydroponic Suppliers …………………….. 487
Biocontrol Agents ………………………………………………………………………487
Microbials/Bioagents …………………………………………………………………487
Pollinators (Bombus sp.)……………………………………………………………..487
Greenhouse Structures, Coverings, and Equipment ………………………488
Greenhouse Shading Materials ……………………………………………………489
Growing Media and Supplies ……………………………………………………..489
Irrigation Equipment …………………………………………………………………490
Seeds ………………………………………………………………………………………..491
Sprout Supplies …………………………………………………………………………491
Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………..493
Hydroponics …………………………………………………………………………….493
General …………………………………………………………………………………..493
Publications …………………………………………………………………………….493
Articles …………………………………………………………………………………..497
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) ……………………………………………….503
Publications …………………………………………………………………………….503
Articles …………………………………………………………………………………..504
Insect and Disease Control ………………………………………………………..507
Professional Publications and Research Journals …………………………510
Trade Magazines and Periodicals ………………………………………………. 511
Index ……………………………………………………………………………………….513