ISHS Acta Horticulturae 718: III International Symposium on Models for Plant Growth, Environmental Control and Farm Management in Protected Cultivation (HortiModel 2006)
CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND POTASSIUM CONCENTRATIONS PREDICTION IN A RECIRCULATED NUTRIENT SOLUTION OF A GREENHOUSE SOILLESS ROSE CROP |
| Authors: | CH. Lykas, N. Katsoulas, C. Kittas |
| Keywords: | water uptake, cations, pH, EC, biophysical and chemical processes |
| Abstract:
The effects of i) biophysical processes such as crop water uptake, and elements absorption and ii) chemical processes such as fertilizers dissolution and pH changes, on Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ concentration in a recirculated nutrient solution of a greenhouse soilless rose crop (Rosa hybrida ‘First Red’), were studied. Measurements of greenhouse microclimate variables, crop water uptake as well as pH, EC and Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ concentration in nutrient solutions kept in storage tank or applied for crop fertigation, were carried out during autumn 2001. The results showed that variations of Ca2+ concentration in the nutrient solution were highly correlated to crop water uptake, crop Ca2+ absorption, fertilizer dissolution and pH variation of the nutrient solution. The concentration of Mg2+ in the nutrient solution was correlated to EC of the solution. Equations for Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ concentrations prediction in the recycled nutrient solution were developed and calibrated. Validation gave satisfactory results. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
