scholarly journals 456 An Automatic, Controlled Water-Table Irrigation System for Vegetable Transplant Production

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 523C-523
Author(s):  
J.W. Buxton ◽  
Wenwei Jia
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
System A ◽  
Fixed Distance ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Vegetable Seed ◽  
Growth Of Seedlings ◽  
Water Ratio

The controlled water-table irrigation (CWT) system was evaluated for vegetable seed germination and transplant growth. The system is a modification of capillary mat irrigation except that the mat along one side extends over the edge of the bench into a narrow trough running along the side of the bench. The nutrient solution level in the trough is controlled by a liquid level controller, so it is at a fixed distance below the bench surface. The nutrient solution is drawn by capillarity from the trough upward to the bench surface and then moves by capillarity to the opposite side of the bench. The system automatically maintains a constant air: water ratio in the growing media. Seeds of broccoli, tomato, and pepper were germinated in a 96-cell plug tray and grown to transplanting stage with the CWT system. A factorial experiment consisted of two growing media combined with CWT treatments of 2 and 4 cm. Excellent germination and high-quality seedlings were produced with all treatments. No differences were observed in growth of seedlings at 2 vs. 4 cm or between the two growing media. The CWT system is capable of maintaining a constant uniform water: air ratio in all plug cells on a commercial growing bench. Nutrient solution does not run off the bench. The CWT potentially is an excellent system for the irrigation of vegetable transplants.

Irrigation of Geraniums with an Automatic Controlled Water Table System

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 522d-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.W. Buxton ◽  
D.L. Ingram ◽  
Wenwei Jia
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Trickle Irrigation ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Optimum Water

Geraniums in 15-cm pots were irrigated automatically for 8 weeks with a Controlled Water Table (CWT) irrigation system. Plants were irrigated with a nutrient solution supplied by a capillary mat with one end of the mat suspended in a trough below the bottom of the pot. The nutrient solution remained at a constant level in the trough. Nutrient solution removed from the trough was immediately replaced from a larger reservoir. The vertical distance from the surface of the nutrient solution and the bottom of the pot determined the water/air ratio and water potential in the growing media. Treatments consisted of placing pots at 0, 2, 4, and 6 cm above the nutrient solution. Control plants were irrigated as needed with a trickle irrigation system. Geraniums grown at 0,2 and 4 CWT were ≈25% larger than the control plants and those grown at 6 CWT as measured by dry weight and leaf area. Roots of plants grown at 0 CWT were concentrated in the central area of the root ball; whereas roots of plants in other treatments were located more near the bottom of the pot. Advantages of the CWT system include: Plant controlled automatic irrigation; no run off; optimum water/air ratio.

scholarly journals 161 Using a Controlled Water Table Irrigation for Class Demonstrations of Plant Growth

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 470A-470
Author(s):  
J.W. Buxton ◽  
T. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Set Up

In class demonstrations, it is almost impossible to maintain the same water: air ratio in growing media. If some treatments result in greater plant growth than others, treatment effects on plant growth are often confounded with the effect of water: air ratio in the growing media. In a laboratory demonstration of nutrient deficiencies symptoms in plants, a controlled water table irrigation system maintained a constant water: air ratio in the growing media regardless of the nutrient deficiency affect on plant growth. The modified capillary mat irrigation system consists of one mat edge extending over the edge of the bench into a narrow trough on the side of the bench. The nutrient solution level in the trough is controlled by a liquid level controller, so it is at a fixed distance below the bench surface. The nutrient solution is drawn upward by capillarity to the bench surface and then moves by capillarity over the bench. The system automatically maintains a constant air: water ratio in the growing media. A standard Hogland solution was modified to demonstrate deficiencies in N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Fe, and Zn on corn, squash, radish, soybeans, and marigold. Seeds were germinated and grown to maturity in either a 10- or 15-cm pot. Students set up the demonstration, were provided instruction in preparing solutions, regularly observed plant growth, and answered questions at the end of the study about differences in plant growth observed. However, possibly because low concentrations of some minor elements in the capillary mat, Zn deficiency was not observed and other elements, although resulting in poor growth compared to the control, did not show severe deficiency symptoms.

scholarly journals 681 Controlling Stress in Container-grown Plants

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 516B-516
Author(s):  
Jack W. Buxton
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Automatic System ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Light Period ◽  
Media Study ◽  
The Media ◽  
Water Ratio

The controlled water table irrigation system (CWT) consists of a capillary mat placed on a level bench so one side extends over the edge of the bench into a trough containing a nutrient solution maintained at a controlled distance below the bench. The nutrient solution is drawn by capillarity up to and over the bench surface. As plants use the nutrient solution or as water evaporates from the media, it is replaced from the trough. The automatic system maintains a constant air/water ratio in the growing media. Study 1: Geraniums were grown in 15-cm pots at 0, 2, and 4 cm CWT. Geraniums at 0 and 2 cm CWT had the greatest leaf area and dry weight. Plants at 0 and 2 cm CWT were more than 25% greater at 4 cm CWT. The roots of plants at 0 cm CWT were concentrated at 2 to 4 cm above the bottom of the container; whereas roots at 2 cm CWT uniformly extended from the center to the bottom. Study 2: Water potential in a coarse and fine textured media was determined at the bottom, middle and top of the container at 0, 2, and 4 cm CWT every 2.5 h during the light period. Water potential was about the same in each media within each CWT treatment. At the container bottom at 0 CWT water potential was 0; whereas the water potential at 2 and 4 CWT was lower. The water potential from top to bottom decreased slightly about mid afternoon on a sunny day when water demand was the greatest. The CWT system is potentially a commercially adaptable irrigation system for container crops. It also is a cheap, reliable tool for studying water stress on the crop growth and quality.

scholarly journals Controlled Water Table Irrigation System Effect on Growing Medium Water Potential

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 565D-565c
Author(s):  
C.A. Mach ◽  
J.W. Buxton ◽  
R.S. Gates
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Automatic System ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Light Period ◽  
System Effect ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
The Media ◽  
Water Ratio

The CWT irrigation system consists of a capillary mat placed on a level bench so one side extends over the edge of the bench into a trough containing a nutrient solution maintained at a controlled distance below the bench. The nutrient solution is drawn by capillarity up to and over the bench surface. As plants use the nutrient solution or as water evaporates from the media, it is replaced from the trough. The automatic system maintains a constant air/water ratio in the growing media. Geraniums were grown in a peat based media in 15-cm pots at 0, 2, and 4 cm CWT. In a separate study, the water potential was determined in two media. Water potential was determined at the bottom, middle, and top of the container at 0, 2 and 4 cm CWT every 2.5 hrs during the light period. Geraniums at 0 and 2 cm had the greatest leaf area and dry weight. The 0- and 2-cm treatments were >25% greater than plants at 4 cm CWT. The roots of plants at 0 cm CWT were concentrated at 2–4 cm above the bottom of the container, whereas roots at 2 cm CWT uniformily extended from the center to the bottom. Water potential was about the same in each media within each CWT treatment. The water potential from top to bottom decreased slightly about midafternoon on a sunny day when water demand was the greatest. Media at 0 CWT at the container bottom had 0 water potential; whereas the water potential at 2 and 4 CWT had a lower water potential.

scholarly journals Production of Vegetable Transplants with the Controlled Water Table Irrigation System

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 633a-633
Author(s):  
Jack W. Buxton ◽  
Wenwei Jia
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Root Penetration ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
Cabbage Seed ◽  
The Media ◽  
Greenhouse Vegetable ◽  
Solution Surface

Cabbage seed was germinated and grown to transplanting size in a 98-cell tray using an automatic irrigation system based on the principle of maintaining a constant water table (CWT) relative to the growing medium in transplant trays. Seedlings obtained a nutrient solution from a capillary mat with one end suspended in a trough containing the solution. The distance between the nutrient solution surface and the transplant tray bottom was regulated with a water level controller. The nutrient solution was resupplied from a larger reservoir. A polyester material on top of the capillary mat allowed solution movement to the roots but prevented root penetration into the mat. The water table placement below the tray determined the water content in the growing medium. Seedling growth was evaluated using two growing media combined with two water table placements. Excellent quality seedlings were produced; the CWT irrigation system satisfactory provided water and nutrients for the duration of the crop. The only problems observed were dry cells, less than 2%, because of no media–mat contact and algae growth on the media surface using the higher water table. The CWT irrigation system is adaptable to existing greenhouse vegetable transplant production systems. It is automatic and can provide a constant optimum amount of moisture for seedling growing. It can be adjusted for phases of seedling growing such as more water during germination and can create water stress near transplanting time to either harden off or hold plants because of unfavorable planting conditions.

scholarly journals Pengaruh Berbagai Macam Nilai EC (elektrical Condoktivity) Terhadap Pertumbuhan Tomat Ceri ( Lycopersicum Esculentum) Dengan Aplikasi Hidroponik Fertigasi Sistem DFT ( Deep Flow Technique)

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-401
Author(s):  
Zulbahri Zulbahri ◽  
Darwin Darwin ◽  
Devianti Devianti
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Lycopersicum Esculentum ◽  
Cherry Tomato ◽  
Hydroponic System ◽  
System A ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Tank Water ◽  
Cherry Tomatoes

Abstrak. Peningkatan jumlah penduduk yang sangat pesat mengakibatkan berkurangnya lahan-lahan  pertanian yang sehat, akibat penggunaan yang intensif tanpa diikuti dengan sistem pemupukan yang berimbang. Hal itu mengakibatkan produksi dari sektor pertanian menurun juga berpengaruh pada kondisi ekonomi para petani. Teknologi-teknologi yang dikembangkan manusia untuk mengatasi hal tersebut adalah seperti budidaya tanaman dengan sistem  hidroponik, sistem fertigasi, sistem irigasi tetes dan lainnya. Untuk menjaga stabilitas pertumbuhan tanaman tomat ceri secara hidroponik, suplai hara merupakan suatu keharusan. Unsur hara tersebut diberikan dalam  bentuk  larutan  nutrisi. Alat yang akan digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah baki persemaian,  tangki penampung larutan nutrisi, pompa air, TDS/EC meter, pH meter, thermometer, timbangan analitik, jangka sorong, gelas ukur, tali penyangga tanaman, alat pengukur tinggi tanaman, pipa penyalur distribusi nutrisi, pipa lateral, dan alat pendukung lainnya. Bahan yang akan digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah benih tomat ceri, dan larutan nutrisi, rumus yang digunakan untuk menghitung nilai ET0 adalah persamaan Penman mouteid. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang telah dilakukan dapat diambil kesimpulan sebagai berikut : Nilai EC yang baik untuk pertumbuhan tomat ceri adalah 1,3 mS/cm dibandingkan dengan perlakuan-perlakuan yang lain. Nilai evapotraspirasi Acuan (ETp)  rata-rata selama penelitian adalah 3,98 mm/hariEffect of Various EC Values on the Growth of Cherry Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum) with Application of Hydroponic Fermentation DFT system (Deep Flow TechniqueAbstract. A very rapid increase in population resulted in a decrease in healthy agricultural lands, due to intensive use without being followed by a balanced fertilization system. This resulted in decreased production from the agricultural sector which also affected the economic conditions of the farmers. Technologies developed by humans to overcome this are as cultivation of plants with a hydroponic system, a fertigation system, a drip irrigation system, and others. To maintain the stability of hydroponic cherry tomato plant growth, nutrient supply is a must. These nutrients are given in the form of nutrient solution. The tools that will be used in this study are the nursery tray, nutrient solution storage tank, water pump, TDS / EC meter, pH meter, thermometer, analytical balance, slide calipers, measuring cups, plant support straps, plant height gauges, distribution pipelines nutrition, lateral pipes, and other supporting tools. The material to be used in this research is cherry tomato seeds, and nutrient solution, the formula used to calculate the ET0 value is the Penman mouthed equation. Based on the results of the research that has been conducted can be concluded as follows: A good EC value for the growth of cherry tomatoes is 1.3 mS/cm compared to other treatments. The mean reference evapotranspiration (ETp) value during the study was 3.98 mm / day.

scholarly journals Leaf compatible “eco-friendly” temperature sensor clip for high density monitoring wireless networks

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Palazzari ◽  
Paolo Mezzanotte ◽  
Federico Alimenti ◽  
Francesco Fratini ◽  
Giulia Orecchini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Water Stress ◽  
Temperature Sensor ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
Plant Water ◽  
Temperature Differential ◽  
Water Pump ◽  
Plant Water Stress ◽  
System A

This paper describes the design, realization, and application of a custom temperature sensor devoted to the monitoring of the temperature differential between the leaf and the air. This difference is strictly related to the plant water stress and can be used as an input information for an intelligent and flexible irrigation system. A wireless temperature sensor network can be thought as a decision support system used to start irrigation when effectively needed by the cultivation, thus saving water, pump fuel oil, and preventing plant illness caused by over-watering.

Management and environmental constraints to rice yield within a village irrigation system ? A case study from Sri Lanka

GeoJournal ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Dal�us ◽  
O. Palm ◽  
K. Sandell ◽  
S.N. Jayawardena ◽  
G.D. Siripala
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Rice Yield ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Environmental Constraints ◽  
System A

scholarly journals The effect of growing media and concentration of nutrient solution on growth, flowering and macroelement content of media and leaves of Tymophylla tenuiloba Small

2013 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-64
Author(s):  
Joanna Nowak
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Element Content ◽  
Mineral Element ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Salt Level ◽  
Total Soluble Salt ◽  
Mineral Element Content

Effects of growing media and concentration of nutrient solution on growth, flowering, evapotranspiration and macroelement content of media and leaves of Tymophylla tenuiloba were evaluated under ebb-and-flow conditions. Two media: peat and peat + perlite (3:l, v/v), and four concentrations of nutrient solution: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 mS cm<sup>-1</sup> were applied. High quality plants were produced in both media and all concentration of nutrient solution. The lowest evapotranspiration was measured at the highest concentration of nutrient solution. N concentration of leaves was high in all treatments. Concentrations of K, Ca, and Mg decreased with increasing concentration of nutrient solution. Opposite was found for P. At the end of cultivation the lowest pH was measured in the upper layer of growing media. The highest total soluble salt level was measured in the upper layers. Upper layers accumulated more N-NO<sub>3</sub>, P, Ca, and Mg. Mineral element content of both media was high in all concentrations of nutrient solution. Low concentration of nutrient solution at 1.0 mS cm<sup>-1</sup> is recommended, although <sup>-1<i>Tymophylla tenuiloba<sup>-1</i> can be also cultivated at higher concentrations of nutrient solution up to 2.5mS cm<sup>-1</sup>, if placed on the same bench with other bedding plants requiring more nutrients.

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