Hydroponic Food Production: A Definitive Guidebook for the Advanced Home Gardener and the Commercial Hydroponic Grower
642
Hydroponic Food Production: A Definitive Guidebook for the Advanced Home Gardener and the Commercial Hydroponic Grower
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Overview
New to this edition:
- Presents greenhouse environmental control systems and examples of sustainable greenhouse technology, and demonstrates uses of automation and robotics in harvesting, grading, and packing.
- Introduces indoor vertical farming, and vertical growing systems, as well as the expansion of tropical hydroponics and rooftop greenhouses.
- Provides information on automation in large-scale raft culture and nutrient film technique (NFT) operations in the growing of lettuce, leafy greens, and herbs.
A new chapter 12 discusses control of environmental factors in greenhouses. It covers information on systems to regulate temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide enrichment, lighting, and fertigation with examples of sustainable greenhouse technology. This chapter demonstrates automation in the regulation of the greenhouse environment to crop production methods with emphasis on robotics in harvesting to transporting, grading, and packing equipment. The use of retractable roof structures in tropical, humid climates is an alternative for growing greenhouse crops.
A new chapter 14 describes vertical indoor farming. It presents background information on early vertical greenhouses and sack culture systems to present vertical systems used by greenhouses and existing vertical greenhouses and future concepts. Vertical indoor farming reviews systems of vertical tiers of shelving growing lettuce, leafy greens, and herbs under LED lighting in large warehouses. The chapter exemplifies automation in these vertical farms with each specific system and it contains information on vertical growing in containers and/or modular units.
Chapter 15 contains new information on tropical hydroponics describing hydroponics in Peru. Expansions of rooftop greenhouses with new locations in New York, Chicago, and Montreal display updated facilities and crops.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780367678753 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | CRC Press |
| Publication date: | 04/29/2022 |
| Edition description: | 8th ed. |
| Pages: | 642 |
| Product dimensions: | 7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d) |
About the Author
Upon graduation with his doctorate degree in Horticulture in 1975 he became Urban Horticulturist for the faculty of plant science at the University of B.C. He held that position for three years before the call of commercial hydroponics took him to many projects in countries such as Venezuela, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and in 1999 to Anguilla, British West Indies, in the Eastern Caribbean.
While in the position of urban horticulturist, Resh taught courses in horticulture, hydroponics, plant propagation, greenhouse design, and production. During this period, while he was urban horticulturist and later general manager for a large plant nursery, he continued doing research and production consultation for a commercial hydroponic farm growing lettuce, watercress, and other vegetables in Venezuela. Later, during the period 1995– 1996, Resh became project manager for the Venezuelan farm to develop hydroponic culture of lettuce, watercress, peppers, tomatoes, and European cucumbers using a special medium of rice hulls and coco coir from local sources. He also designed and constructed a mung bean and alfalfa sprout facility to introduce sprouts into the local market. In the late 1980s, Resh worked with a company in Florida in the growing of lettuce in a floating raft culture system.
From 1990 to 1999, Resh worked as the technical director and project manager for hydroponic projects in the growing of watercress and herbs in California. He designed and constructed several 3- acre outdoor hydroponic watercress facilities using a unique NFT system. These overcame production losses due to drought conditions in the area.
From there in mid- 1999, Resh became the hydroponic greenhouse farm manager for the first hydroponic farm associated with a high- end resort, CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, in Anguilla, British West Indies in the northeastern Caribbean. The hydroponic farm is unique in being the only one in the world owned by a resort growing its own fresh salad crops and herbs exclusively for the resort. This farm has become a key component of the resort in attracting guests to experience real homegrown types of vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, lettuce, bok choy, and herbs. The resort, together with its hydroponic farm, has gained world- wide recognition as one of the leading hotels of the world.
Resh continues to do consulting on many unique hydroponic greenhouse operations such as Lufa Farms in Montreal, Canada. There he established the growing techniques and hydroponic systems for a rooftop hydroponic greenhouse in downtown Montreal. All vegetables are marketed through a community supported agriculture (CSA) program.
In 2016, Resh retired from full- time work at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa and now independently consults with a number of companies including work on indoor vertical farming.
Table of Contents
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
Author Bio xvii
List of Figures xix
List of Tables xxxv
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
1.1 The Past 1
1.2 The Present 2
1.2.1 North American Greenhouse Vegetable Industry 3
1.2.2 World Greenhouse Vegetable Industry 4
1.3 The Future 6
1.4 Suitable Site Characteristics 8
1.5 Soil versus Soilless Culture 8
References 11
Chapter 2 Plant Nutrition 13
2.1 Plant Constituents 13
2.2 Mineral and Essential Elements 13
2.3 Plant Mineral and Water Uptake 14
2.3.1 The Soil 14
2.3.2 Soil and Plant Interrelations 16
2.3.3 Cation Exchange 18
2.3.4 Soil versus Hydroponics 18
2.3.5 Transfer of Water and Solutes from Soil (or Nutrient Solution) to Root 19
2.3.6 Movement of Water and Minerals across Membranes 19
2.4 The Upward Movement of Water and Nutrients 21
2.5 Plant Nutrition 21
2.5.1 Nutritional Disorders 22
2.5.2 Symptomatology 24
2.5.3 Use of a Key 27
References 33
Chapter 3 The Nutrient Solution 35
3.1 Inorganic Salts (Fertilizers) 35
3.2 Recommended Compounds for Complete Nutrient Solutions 38
3.3 Fertilizer Chemical Analyses 38
3.4 Fertilizer Impurities 40
3.5 Organic Fertilizers 41
3.5.1 Recommended Organic Compounds 42
3.6 Nutrient Formulations 45
3.6.1 Atomic and Molecular Weights 45
3.6.2 Calculations of Nutrient Formulations 46
3.6.3 Calculations for Chemical Substitutions for Fertilizers 51
3.6.4 Nutrient Formulation Adjustments 54
3.6.5 Calculation of N:P:K Ratios 55
3.6.6 Conversion of Dilution Rates of Soluble Fertilizer Blends to ppm of Solution 59
3.7 Nutrient Stock Solutions 61
3.7.1 Injector or Proportioner System 61
3.7.2 Stock Solutions 65
3.8 Preparing the Nutrient Solution 78
3.8.1 Preparing Normal Strength Solutions 78
3.8.2 Preparing Stock Solutions 79
3.9 Plant Relations and Cause of Nutrient Solution Changes 80
3.9.1 Nutrient Analysis 81
3.9.2 Plant Tissue Analysis 81
3.9.3 Changing of Solutions 82
3.9.4 Adjustment of Nutrient Solutions by Use of Electrical Conductivity 83
3.9.5 Maintenance of the Solution Volume 86
References 86
Chapter 4 The Medium 89
4.1 Medium Characteristics 89
4.2 Water Characteristics 90
4.3 Irrigation 91
4.4 Pumping of Nutrient Solution into Beds 92
4.5 Sterilization of Medium 93
References 93
Chapter 5 Water Culture 95
5.1 Introduction 95
5.1.1 Root Aeration 95
5.1.2 Root Darkness 95
5.1.3 Plant Support 95
5.2 Raceway, Raft, or Floating System 95
5.2.1 Small- and Medium-Sized Commercial Raft Systems 98
5.2.2 Large Commercial Raft Culture Systems 106
5.2.2.1 Seeding 108
5.2.2.2 Transplanting 109
5.2.2.3 Harvesting 109
5.2.2.4 Hydronov Update 114
5.3 Aeroponics 118
5.4 Hydroponic Grass Units 127
5.5 Alfalfa and Bean Sprouts 132
5.5.1 Alfalfa Culture 132
5.5.2 Mung Bean Culture 137
5.6 Microgreens 139
References 147
Chapter 6 Nutrient Film Technique 149
6.1 Introduction 149
6.2 Early NFT System 149
6.3 Later NFT Systems 149
6.4 Commercial NFT Systems 150
6.5 Nutrient Flow Technique: Vertical Pipes, A-Frame, or Cascade Systems 150
6.6 Gutter and Pipe NFT Channel Systems 152
6.7 Hortiplan Automated NFT System 157
6.8 Green Automation Lettuce System 167
6.8.1 Living Lettuce System 172
6.8.2 Green Automation Baby Leaf Greens System 179
6.9 Ebb-and-Flow (Flood) Systems 192
6.10 A-Frame NFT System 193
6.11 Summary 205
References 205
Chapter 7 Gravel Culture 207
7.1 Introduction 207
7.2 Media Characteristics 207
7.3 Subirrigation Gravel Culture 208
7.3.1 Frequency of Irrigation 208
7.3.2 Speed of Pumping and Drainage 209
7.3.3 Effect of Irrigation Cycle on Plant Growth 209
7.3.4 Height of Irrigation 210
7.3.5 Nutrient Solution Temperature 210
7.3.6 Greenhouse Subirrigation System 210
7.3.6.1 Construction Materials 210
7.3.6.2 Beds 210
7.3.6.3 Plenum 211
7.3.6.4 Nutrient Tank 214
7.4 Trickle-Irrigation Design 217
7.5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Trickle Irrigation 222
7.6 Sterilization of Gravel between Crops 222
7.7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Gravel Culture 222
References 223
Chapter 8 Sand Culture 225
8.1 Introduction 225
8.2 Medium Characteristics 225
8.3 Structural Details 225
8.3.1 Beds with Plastic Liner 226
8.3.2 Greenhouse Floors Lined with Polyethylene 226
8.4 Drip (Trickle) Irrigation System 227
8.4.1 Planning a Drip Irrigation System 229
8.5 Watering 231
8.6 Sterilization of Sand Beds between Crops 231
8.7 Sand Culture of Herbs 232
8.8 Advantages and Disadvantages of Sand Culture 233
References 237
Chapter 9 Sawdust Culture 239
9.1 Introduction 239
9.2 Growing Medium 239
9.3 Bed System 239
9.4 Bag System 241
9.5 Nutrient Solution Distribution System 246
9.6 Advantages and Disadvantage of Sawdust Culture 250
References 250
Chapter 10 Rockwool Culture 251
10.1 Introduction 251
10.2 Rockwool Composition 251
10.3 Rockwool Cubes and Blocks 252
10.4 Rockwool Slabs 253
10.5 Rockwool Layout 256
10.6 Irrigation System 257
10.7 Cucumbers in Rockwool 262
10.8 Tomatoes in Rockwool 266
10.9 Large Greenhouse Operations in North America 272
10.10 Intercropping Tomatoes 273
10.11 Peppers in Rockwool 277
10.12 Recirculating Rockwool Systems 280
10.13 Advantages and Disadvantages of Rockwool Culture 286
References 286
Chapter 11 Coco Coir Culture 287
11.1 Introduction 287
11.2 Source of Coco Coir 287
11.3 Coco Coir Grades and Characteristics 287
11.4 Coco Plugs and Blocks 288
11.5 Tomatoes in Coco Coir 290
11.6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Coco Coir Culture 293
References 295
Chapter 12 Greenhouse Environmental Control and Automation 297
12.1 Introduction 297
12.2 Temperature 297
12.2.1 Healing Systems 298
12.2.2 Sustainable Agriculture Greenhouse Technology 302
12.2.3 Unit (Space) Heaters 309
12.2.4 Ventilation and Cooling 310
12.3 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Enrichment 318
12.4 Relative Humidity (RH) 321
12.5 Irrigation (Fertigation) 323
12.6 Lighting 328
12.7 Computer Automation 334
12.8 Crop Production Automation 335
12.9 Harvesting, Transporting. Grading, and Packing Automation 337
12.10 Retractable Roof Greenhouses 350
References 357
Chapter 13 Other Soilless Cultures 359
13.1 Introduction 359
13.2 Media 359
13.2.1 Peat 359
13.2.2 Vermiculite 359
13.2.3 Perlite 359
13.2.4 Pumice 360
13.2.5 Rice Hulls 360
13.2.6 Soilless Mixtures 360
13.2.6.1 The U.C. Mix 361
13.2.6.2 The Cornell "Peat-Lite" Mixes 361
13.2.6.3 Fertilizer, Sphagnum Peat Moss, and Vermiculite Mixture 362
13.2.7 Coco Coir 362
13.3 Hydroponic Herbs 363
13.3.1 Growing Herbs in a Peat-Lite Mix 363
13.3.2 Herbs in Rice Hulls 366
13.4 Perlite Culture 372
13.4.1 Perlite Blocks and Slabs 372
13.4.2 Perlite Bato Buckets 374
13.4.3 Eggplants in Perlite Culture 378
13.5 Column Culture 382
13.6 Sack Culture 388
13.7 Sterilization of the Medium 390
13.8 Advantages and Disadvantages of Peat and Coco Coir Mixtures 390
References 394
Chapter 14 Vertical Indoor Farming 395
14.1 Introduction 395
14.2 Vertical Growing Systems 395
14.3 Automated Vertical Hydroponic Systems 396
14.4 Vertical Greenhouses 397
14.5 Vertical Indoor Farms 401
14.6 Container Vertical Growing 426
14.7 Advantages and Disadvantages of Vertical Fanning 434
14.8 Final Remarks 434
References 435
Chapter 15 Tropical Hydroponics and Special Applications 437
15.1 Introduction 437
15.2 Hidroponias Venezolanas 437
15.3 Sand Culture in the Tropics 438
15.4 Ebb-And-Flood Water Culture of Watercress 447
15.5 Rice Hulls-Coco Coir Culture of Tomatoes, Peppers, and Cucumbers 453
15.6 Peru Hydroponics 455
15.6.1 Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina 455
15.6.2 Invernaderos Hidroponicos del Peru 456
15.7 Special Applications 460
15.7.1 Hydroponics and Resorts and Spas 460
15.7.2 Hydroponic Rooftop Greenhouses 464
15.7.2.1 Lufa Farms 465
15.7.2.2 Gotham Greens 472
15.7.3 The Science Barge 477
15.7.4 New York Sun Works 477
References 479
Chapter 16 Plant Culture 481
16.1 Introduction 481
16.2 Seeding 481
16.3 Seedling Production 483
16.3.1 Tomato Seedling Culture 484
16.3.2 Cucumber Seedling Culture 486
16.3.3 Pepper Seedling Culture 488
16.3.4 Eggplant Seedling Culture 491
16.3.5 Lettuce Seedling Culture 491
16.3.6 Herb Seedling Culture 492
16.4 Plant-Growing Temperature 493
16.5 Light 493
16.6 Relative Humidity (RH) And Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) 496
16.7 Carbon Dioxide Enrichment 496
16.8 Transplanting 497
16.9 Spacing 498
16.10 Vegetative vs. Generative Growth 498
16.11 Irrigation (Fertigation) 499
16.12 Plant Support 500
16.13 Suckering and Training (Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers, and Eggplants) 502
16.14 Pollination 526
16.15 Physiological Disorders 531
16.16 Diseases and Insects 535
16.16.1 Some Common Tomato Diseases 535
16.16.2 Some Common Cucumber Diseases 536
16.16.3 Insects 540
16.17 Vegetable Varieties 557
16.17.1 Tomatoes 559
16.17.2 Cucumbers 560
16.17.3 Peppers 560
16.17.4 Eggplants 561
16.17.5 Lettuce 561
16.18 Green Grafting 562
16.19 Planting Schedules 564
16.20 Crop Termination 566
16.21 Special Considerations 568
References 570
Appendix 1 Horticultural, Hydroponic, and Soilless-Culture Societies 571
Appendix 2 Greenhouse Production Resources 573
Research Extension Services for Publications 573
Some Soil and Plant-Tissue Testing Laboratories 573
Biological-Control Agents 575
Producers 575
Distributors 575
Sources of Information on Biological Control 575
Reference 576
Special Hydroponic Equipment 576
NFT Troughs 576
UV Sterilizers 576
Water Chillers 576
Vertical Plant Towers 576
Appendix 3 Units of Measurement: Conversion Factors 577
Appendix 4 Physical Constants of Inorganic Compounds 579
Appendix 5 Greenhouse and Hydroponic Suppliers 581
Biocontrol Agents 581
Microbials/Bioagents 581
Pollinators (Bombus sp.) 581
Greenhouse Structures, Coverings, and Equipment 581
Greenhouse Shading Materials 583
Growing Media and Supplies 583
Irrigation Equipment 584
Seeds 584
Sprout Supplies 585
Bibliography 587
Hydroponics 587
General 587
Publications 587
Articles 591
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) 596
Publications 596
Articles 596
Insect and Disease Control 599
Professional Publications and Research Journals 601
Trade Magazines and Periodicals 602
Index 603