Irrigation & fertilization in

greenhouse

Elgad Agro-system
 Main subjects:

• 1-The growing media (soil and soil-less)

• 2-The crop water requirement and irrigation
• 3-The nutrients requirements and fertilization
• 4-The main fertilizers in use
• 5-Soil solution and water analysis
• 6-Recommendation and monitoring
1- the growing media
The main functions of the media or soil
• Hold and supply water
• Hold and supply nutrients
• Hold and supply air to root zone
• Keep the pH to a correct and stable level
• Keep the Ec to a correct and stable level
• Allowing rapid change if needed

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 -NFT
mineral
+ -rockwool -
(inert) perlite -
tuff -
- sand -
gravel
MEDIA choice: -clay expans.
(substrate)
- -coccus fiber
organic -Peat moss
(active) -bark
-saw dust
+
-vine pulp
-manure & anim.
The SOIL
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The first soil less growing has been on reduce volume pot
using organic substrates (like peat –vine pulps- compost..)

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Rock wool

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Rock wool fibers Elgad Agro-system
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Rockwool cubes
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Seedling in rockwool

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Plugs for seedling

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Cubes for future plugs insertion and rooting Elgad Agro-system
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Root system developed on rockwool
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Main properties of the rock wool
• Based on volcanic raw material ,is produced by
addition of resin and polymerization at 1500
deg.C
• Chemical composition: silicium 47% alumin 14%
,CaCo3 16% magnesium 10% ,feO 8%
• pH 7 to 9.5
• Water holding capacity (in volume 70-80%)
depend on water level 94% at level ,82% at 5cm
higher)
• C.E.C =0
• Density 0.08
• Low structural stability
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PERLITE

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perlite

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perlite
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 The Perlite origin is volcanic
(lava in contact with water)

By rapid industrial process of

heating and water vapor we reach
the expanded perlite (x 20) white
particles , low density ,low thermal
conductivity and high air content

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Irit on perlite substrate Elgad Agro-system
Perlite in soil less

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Main properties of the perlite

• Moisture content < 50% w/w

• Air volume fraction >50% (80-90%)

Depend on particles sizes and type

• pH neutral to basic
• Low EC

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Tuff scoria

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Tuff in soil less

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Tuff in soil less

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Roses in soil less

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 Main properties of the tuff

• Volcanic origin
• Chemical composition: silicium 51% , alumin
19% , feO 7% ,CaCO3 10% ,Mg 9%
• pH 6.5
• Water capacity of retention 19% w/w
• CEC close to 0
• Density 0.7-1
• Stability: good
• Air content after drainage 62%
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 Peat
Organic substrates produced in Netherlands are based 90%
on peat . (2.8 mill m3 in 93)

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Peat extraction Elgad Agro-system
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Peat pot (fertil)

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Organic substrates produced in Netherlands are based 90%
on peat . (2.8 mill m3 in 93)

Peat
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 Quality standards of peat
General standards.
Water content (% by weight) maximum 80%
Organic-content (% of dry matter) minimum 90%
pH water maximum 4.5
Ec (mS/cm ) in the 1/1.5 v/v extract maximum 0.5

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 Quality standards of peat

-5 classes based on the product’s air content after drying

and setting at 10cm pressure head.
-wetness ratio
-bulk density
-degree of humidification

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 May store 900% of
Peat Classification weight as water

Class wetness degree humif. Bulk density name

ratio g/g kg/m3

1 >9.0 H1-3 <90 sphagnum peat moss

2 >7.5 H3-5 <100 peat litter

3 >6.0 H5-7 <120 brown peat

4 >4.0 H6-7 <150 frozen black peat

5 >3.5 H6-7 <150 black peat

Less water wetness

at 10cm pressure after drying Elgad Agro-system
Peat bags as growing media Class 1 or 2 :

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 Main properties of the peat

• High wetness ratio 400-900% w/w

• Low bulk density 70-150 g/l
• High organic content > 90%
• Low pH <4.5
(difference between black and blonde)

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Coccus

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Coconut tablets Elgad Agro-system
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Main properties of the coco peat

• Moisture content 75-80% w/w

• Air volume fraction >10%
• High organic content > 90%

• neutral pH 7
• May suffer of salt excess

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vermiculite
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Sand
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Not soil less but close to…
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 Main properties of the sand

• Good aeration
• Low water content (FC 6-10%
WP% 4-6%) and holding capacity
• Fluidity
• Easily available

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NFT technology

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Tomatoes in hydroponics Elgad Agro-system
NFT Hydroponics Irit (JTF)
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NFT Hydroponics Irit (JTF)
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NFT Hydroponics Irit
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Irit in NFT system
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Irit transplanting to NFT
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Lettuce NFT Hydroponics
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Bell pepper NFT Hydroponics
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Tomatoes NFT Hydroponics
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Tomatoes NFT Hydroponics Elgad Agro-system
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Elgad Agro-system
Presented by
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elgad1@netvision.net.il