Articles
Evapotranspiration prediction for suitable combinations of cascade hydroponic systems
Article number
1426_36
Pages
259 – 266
Language
English
Abstract
The cascade hydroponics system increases the recirculation efficiency of nutrients and water in recirculating crop cultivation systems.
In this approach, the drainage solution of a primary crop is used to irrigate a secondary crop.
For optimized balancing of the two crops, accurate estimations of ion-selective nutrients and water uptake are the key to closing the recirculation without discarding nutrient solution.
The first step of a model-based planning and/or monitoring system for nutrient and water re-usage optimization is a valid prediction of the transpiration-driven water and nutrient uptake.
The different transpiration rates of the primary and secondary cultivation thus partly influence the water and nutrient requirements for fertigation.
In our study, different EC combinations were analysed employing mathematical models for scenario simulations on the effect of the prevailing climate conditions.
This study uses a simplified approach of optimal nutrient solution uptake irrespectively on biochemical or physical ion-selective processes.
The initial crop transpiration and water consumption model is validated using experimental data from a thermoplastic-covered greenhouse in Greece of water amounts for irrigation and drainage tanks.
The crop yield is evaluated through plant growth and fresh weight measurements.
The pilot system considers greenhouse tomato (‘Elpida’, hybrid F1) as the primary crop and lettuce (‘Batavia’) as the secondary crop.
The expected result is a guideline for suitable EC combinations and a basis for monitoring tools for a cascade hydroponic system for water and nutrient use efficiency.
In this approach, the drainage solution of a primary crop is used to irrigate a secondary crop.
For optimized balancing of the two crops, accurate estimations of ion-selective nutrients and water uptake are the key to closing the recirculation without discarding nutrient solution.
The first step of a model-based planning and/or monitoring system for nutrient and water re-usage optimization is a valid prediction of the transpiration-driven water and nutrient uptake.
The different transpiration rates of the primary and secondary cultivation thus partly influence the water and nutrient requirements for fertigation.
In our study, different EC combinations were analysed employing mathematical models for scenario simulations on the effect of the prevailing climate conditions.
This study uses a simplified approach of optimal nutrient solution uptake irrespectively on biochemical or physical ion-selective processes.
The initial crop transpiration and water consumption model is validated using experimental data from a thermoplastic-covered greenhouse in Greece of water amounts for irrigation and drainage tanks.
The crop yield is evaluated through plant growth and fresh weight measurements.
The pilot system considers greenhouse tomato (‘Elpida’, hybrid F1) as the primary crop and lettuce (‘Batavia’) as the secondary crop.
The expected result is a guideline for suitable EC combinations and a basis for monitoring tools for a cascade hydroponic system for water and nutrient use efficiency.
Publication
Authors
T. Ramírez, A. Elvanidi, N. Katsoulas, O. Körner
Keywords
hydroponic, soilless, stomatal conductance, crop-specific
Groups involved
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Working Group Nettings in Horticulture (subgroup of Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates)
- Working Group Light in Horticulture
- Working Group Organic Greenhouse Horticulture
- Working Group Vegetable Grafting
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Working Group Protected Cultivation, Nettings and Screens for Mild Climates
- Working Group Computational Fluid Dynamics in Agriculture
- Working Group Design and Automation in Integrated Indoor Production Systems
- Working Group Mechanization, Digitization, Sensing and Robotics
- Working Group Greenhouse Environment and Climate Control
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Working Group Vertical Farming
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