MIXING A BALANCED NUTRIENT SOLUTION^©

Plant growers are dependant on the process of photosynthesis, driven in green leaves with energy from the sun, building carbohydrates with carbon dioxide (CO₂), and water (H₂O). Thirteen essential plant nutrients affect this process by ensuring that the leaves are green, filled with chlorophyll, and that the integrity of membranes and strength of cell walls are maintained.
Plant roots absorb these nutrients from fertile soil.
But, these nutrients can also be supplied by a well-balanced nutrient solution in soil-less culture.
Arnon and Hoagland (1940) established some of the first well-balanced nutrient solutions, enabling soil-less crop production.
Apart from the introduction of chelated iron, modern nutrient solutions do not differ much from the older ones.
In this paper, an extract form “Nutrient Solution Management” (Combrink and Kempen, 2011), guidelines will be given to enable the reader to “build” his/her own nutrient solution.
However, before this can be done, it is important to ensure that terms such as pH, salt concentration, and some basic chemical principles are understood.

Proceedings of the International Plant Propagators Society – 2012

N.J.J. Combrink

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1014.3