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Prairie Cordgrass. An Aeroponic Approach to Greenhouse Production Nathan Deppe-PCF Coordinator. Recycled Glass vs. Leca Stone Substrates. Prairie Cordgrass ‘Savoy’ (right) rooted in leca stone vs. recycled glass substrate (left). Choice of Substrates. Recycled Glass. Leca Stone. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Prairie CordgrassAn Aeroponic Approach to Greenhouse Production
Nathan Deppe-PCF Coordinator
Recycled Glass vs. Leca Stone SubstratesPrairie Cordgrass ‘Savoy’ (right) rooted in leca stone vs. recycled glass substrate (left)
Choice of SubstratesRecycled Glass Leca Stone
Comparison of Plants in Diverse SubstratesPlants in Recycled Glassa. Fewer Shoots and Rhizomesb. Less Robust
Plants in Leca Stonec. Strong Healthy Plant Crownd. More Shoots and Rhizomese. Healthier and More Vigorous Rootsf. Improved Top Growth
Materials and Methods1) Tank/Reservoir (4 or 5 Gal White Bucket)2) Submersible Tank Pump (Eco-Plus, Eco-185)3) Feeder Pipe with Mist Nozzles (PVC
Construct)4) Containment Vessel with Substrate (6” Wide
Lip Bucket Basket and Leca Stone)5) Nutrient Solution6) Greenhouse Environment Suitable for Bio-
Energy Grass Production (28C/20C, 16 hr Photoperiod with 1000W HPS HID)
Tank/Reservoir A white tank is a
necessity in order to keep nutrient solution cooler from incoming solar gain
A 4 or 5 gallon tank is needed for ample head space and nutrient solution
Submersible Tank Pump Used to continuously
circulate nutrient solution
Filter is kept on during use to keep pump from driving inert matter thru nozzles
Brand: Eco-Plus Model: Eco-185 Purchased at a local
hydroponics store
Feeder Pipe Assembly PVC Construct ½” MPT to ½” MPT nipple
from pump to ½” FPT to ½” MPVC pipe
thread to ½” FPVCPT to 1/2” PVC slip to 1.5” Piece of ½” PVC to ½” Tee to Each end of feeder pipe is 3”
long ½” PVC to ½” PVC slip caps Purchased at a local hardware
store
Mist Nozzles Two 1/8” holes drilled at
5.5” from center of nozzles
180 degree nozzles with threaded tips
Nozzles need adjustment to spray both sides of bucket basket
Nozzles purchased at a local hydroponics store
Containment Vessel with Substrate
6” wide lip bucket basket filled with leca stone
Purchased at local hydroponics store
Seedlings were planted with crown slightly below surface of substrate
Nutrient Solutions Peter’s
Hydroponics Special (5-11-26)
Calcium Nitrate (Horticultural Grade)
Magnesium Sulfate
Iron Sulfate
General Guidelines For early rooting use less
calcium nitrate Use iron sulfate to maintain
sufficient iron levels for green-up of leaf tissue
Use calcium nitrate to push vegetative growth once plants become established
Change solution every4-7 days and clean tank and flush substrate with water
Nutrient Solutions (Cont) General Fertilizer Rates for
Aeroponic Solution Peter’s Hydroponic Special (2.5 tsp/5
gallons water) Calcium Nitrate (early growth: 0.5 tsp/5
gallons water, vegetative growth: 1.5 tsp/5 gallons water)
Magnesium Sulfate (1/4 tsp/5 gallons water)
Iron Sulfate (1/2 tsp/5 gallons water)
Greenhouse Environment Plant Care Facility
Space for Hydroponic Culture
28C/20C Day/Night Temps Energy Shade Curtains
and 1000 W HPS HID for Optimal Lighting Conditions
16 Hour Photoperiod with Active Supplemental Lighting to 700 Wm-2 Solar Radiation
Special ThanksI would like to thank Clinton Shipley and Andrew D’Urso for their outstanding technical assistance that helped create these protocols. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. DoKyoung Lee for providing plant material and inspiration for this project.