Lesson Structure:  Hydroponics III BHT321

There are eight lessons in this course as follows:

1  Options for Managing Plant Culture

• Introduction
• Hydroponic Crops Versus Organic Crops: Similarities between Hydroponic and Organic Approaches
• The Feasibility of Organic Hydroponics
• Organic Certification for Hydroponic Systems
• How Organic Hydroponics Operarates
• Organic Hydroponic Substrates and System
• Organic Pest and Disease Control
• Organic Hydroponic Problems
• Hydroponic Food Health
• Types of Hydroponic Systems
• Solution Culture
• Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and Deep Flow Technique (DFT)
• Pond, Raft, Float or Raceway Systems
• Aeroponics
• Aggregate or Media Culture
• Deep Irrigation Systems
• Sub Irrigation and Ebb and Flow Systems
• Growing Substrates for Hydroponic Systems: Rockwool, Sawdust, Coconut Fibre (Coir), Perlite, Pumice and Scoria, Vermiculite, Sand and Gravel, Composted Bark, Other Substrates
• Historic, Hobby and Lesser Used Systems: Gericke Method, Bengal Method, Wick Method, Sand culture, Bucket and Gravity Feed, Hanging Basket Method

2  Planning a Hydroponic Operation

• Introduction
• Site Appraisal
• Climate: Temperatures, Frost and Snow, Humidity, Light, Dust, Wind
• Water Supply
• Other Resources
• Site Preparation
• Site Layout: Growing areas, Propagation Area, Service Buildings
• Matching a System with a Crop
• Types of Greenhouse Structures

3  System Design Components

• ​​Introduction
• Materials for NFT Systems
• NFT Channel Size and Solution Volume
• NFT Channel Slope
• NFT Delivery and Drainage
• Sizing Tanks and Nutrient Reservoirs
• Materials for Substrate Systems: Concrete, Metal, Timber, Plastic
• Irrigation Design: Pumps and Pipes
• Specific Materials for Use with Aggregate Systems: Sand
• Gravel Aggregates
• Materials for Use with Rockwool
• Materials for Use with Sawdust
• Others: Aeroponics

4  Managing a Hydroponic System in Hot, Humid Conditions

• Introduction
• Water
• Chilling
• Humidity and Temperature
• Pest Control
• Types of Tropical Culture: Sand culture, ebb & flow system, Modified dynamic root floating (DRF) system (AKA Deep Flow Technique), Deep flow and chilling, Tropical lettuce production

5  Water Management

• Introduction
• Water Sources: Mains water, Rain water, Underground water, Surface water
• Water Quality: Hard water, Water pH, Water EC, Sodium Chloride, Turbidity, Smell and colour, Iron content, Carbon dioxide
• Water in Recirculating Systems
• Water in Run-to-Waste Systems
• Water Treatments
• Obtaining a Water Analysis for Hydroponics

6  Nutrient Formulation

• Introduction
• Fertiliser Salts for Formulations
• Nutrient Formulations
• Nutrient Formulation Stock Solutions
• Nutrient Formulation: Formulas for different systems, Stage of growth – grow vs bloom formulas
• Making up Hydroponic Stock Solutions from Fertiliser Salts
• Nutrient Deficiencies & Toxicities: Nutrient mobility and deficiencies, Table: Observablw plant symptoms in response to nutrient imbalances, Other modes of detection, Nutrient toxicities

7  Controlling Nutrient Levels

• Introduction
• Nutrients & pH
• EC (CF) & Nutrient Solution Levels: EC and TDS meters
• Maintaining Nutrient Levels
• Nutrient Temperatures

8  Pest & Disease Control

• Introduction
• Pest & Disease Control Measures: Integrated pest management (IPM), Nutrient solution management
• Common Pests & Diseases
• Pests: Aphids, Thrips, Whitefly, Caterpillars, Leaf Miners, Mites, Mealy Bugs, Scale Insects, Leafhoppers, Slugs and Snails, Flies, Other pests
• Common Diseases: Botrytis – Grey mould, Mildew diseases, Rusts, Rots, Bacterial diseases, Viruses, Nematodes

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the Academy, marked by the Academy’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Learning Goals:  Hydroponics III BHT321

• Describe different approaches to cultural operations in hydroponics and demonstrate awareness of the similarities and differences between organic and hydroponic produce and techniques.
• Describe how to plan a hydroponic operation through site and crop selection, matching a system with a crop, materials, resources and services required, and site layout; for different specific crops
• Discuss system design components such as pumps, NFT channels, grow beds, solution tanks, media, pipes and irrigation fittings in terms of size, type, and material options, for different systems and specific crops
• Provide details of how to manage a hydroponic system in hot, humid conditions such as in tropical or subtropical areas or in summer in temperate areas, for different specific crops
• Explain options for water management such as water sources, quality, testing, treatments, and use in recirculating and non-recirculating systems
• Explain and recommend different types of nutrient formulations, and advanced methods of detecting toxicities and deficiencies for different specific crops
• Recommend methods of controlling nutrient level concentrations through taking EC, pH and temperature measurements; and maintaining nutrient levels for different specific crops
• Recommend awareness of natural and other methods of pest and disease control such as biological controls as part of IPM and nutrient and pH manipulation for different pests and diseases

Practicals: Hydroponics BHT321

Learn about the following:

• Hydroponics versus Organic Crops
• Feasibility of Organic Hydroponics
• Hydroponic Food Health
• Types of Hydroponic Culture -Water, Sand, Aggregate, Rockwool, Sawdust, Other
• Planning a Hydroponic System
• Site Appraisal
• Climate -temperature, frost, snow, humidity, light, dust, wind
• Water Supply
• Other Resources
• Site Preparation
• Site Layout
• Matching a System with a Crop
• Grow Bed and Tank Construction
• Pumps and Pipes
• Materials for Different Types of Culture based Systems
• Materials for use with Sand Culture
• Materials for Use with Aggregate Culture
• Materials for Use with Rockwool Culture
• Materials for Use with Sawdust Culture
• Materials for Use with NFT
• Aeroponics
• Water
• Chilling
• Humidity and Temperature
• Pest Control
• Types of Tropical Culture
• Sand Culture in Hot Humid Places
• Ebb and Flow Systems
• Modified Dynamic Root Floating (DRF) System
• Deep Flow and Chilling
• Water Sources -mains water, rain, underground, surface
• Water Quality
• Hard Water
• Water pH
• Water EC
• Sodium Chloride
• Turbidity
• Smell and Colour
• Iron Content
• Carbon Dioxide
• Water Recirculating Systems
• Water Treatments
• Compounds for Formulations
• Dutch Classification of Nutrient Formula
• Nutrient Formula
• Nutrient Deficiencies and Toxicities
• Nutrient Mobility
• Detecting Nutrient Deficiencies
• Toxicities
• Nutrients and pH
• EC and Nutrient Solution Levels
• Maintaining Nutrient Levels
• Nutrient Temperatures
• Integrated Pest Management
• Common Pests and Diseases

Susan Stephenson

Excerpt From The Course

HUMIDITY & TEMPERATURE Temperate climate crops cannot tolerate high humidity levels and temperatures, so in order to grow them outdoors in tropical and subtropical regions it is necessary to seek out areas where humidity and temperatures are lower. Usually, this means choosing sites in mountainous regions. Even in these areas, the daytime and night time temperatures are likely to be at the optimum level for temperate climate plants. During a heatwave, or a long spell above the usual temperatures, plants may die and whole crops fail. The higher the altitude, the less the risk that crops will fail due to fluctuations in temperature. However, higher altitude can often mean steeper sites. Such steep locations are less favourable for traditional agriculture methods since there is a greater degree of soil erosion and the fertility of the soil is quickly depleted with successive cultivations. Also, soils may have high salt levels. In addition, these sites are not easy to navigate with machinery and so generally require more labour than flat sites. In these environments, hydroponics may be a better choice. Certainly, if the soil is infertile there may be no other option. Steep sites can be terraced if necessary to enable the establishment of equipment and grow beds. However, it may prove problematic finding enough skilled staff to work in such a venture. It may also be necessary to store spare parts, nutrients, and equipment on site since deliveries may be slower. In developing countries this may be a necessity since most parts might have to be imported. Another option in hot, humid environments is to grow seedlings in hydroponic propagation systems, such as in cubes of coir, and then plant them out into open fields of soil. This way, they have a greater chance of survival since in soil culture many seeds are killed by soil-borne disease before they have a chance to germinate. Nevertheless, this would still prove unviable in areas of extreme heat and humidity. In temperate climates, hydroponic growers have used other methods to reduce the chance of plants bolting from long days of hot temperatures. These include planting crops in wide rows with dense plantings to keep the root systems cooler. However, less ventilation between the plants can lead to increased humidity and the spread of fungal diseases. Perhaps a better solution is to plant the crops later so that there is less risk of a cold snap followed by hot weather which may stimulate bolting of plants. In tropical and subtropical climates, evaporative cooling techniques can be used within greenhouse environments to reduce excessive temperatures making it possible to grow temperate climate crops. For example, misting will reduce temperatures – but again, moisture on leaves can trigger fungal infestations or sun scorch.  Another method, the fan-and-pad technique involves pumping water via pipes over porous pads from one end of the greenhouse and exhaust fans at the opposite end.

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