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Principles of Nutrient and Water Management for Indoor Agriculture

Author

Listed:
  • Noah James Langenfeld

    (Crop Physiology Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA)

  • Daniel Fernandez Pinto

    (Department of Chemistry, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 111321, Colombia)

  • James E. Faust

    (Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA)

  • Royal Heins

    (Crop Physiology Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
    Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Bruce Bugbee

    (Crop Physiology Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA)

Abstract

Mass balance principles are a cornerstone of efficient fertilizer use and can be utilized to optimize plant nutrition without discarding or leaching solution. Here, we describe the maintenance of closed hydroponic and soilless substrate systems based on mass balance. Water removed by transpiration is restored with solution that replaces the nutrients that were taken up with the water. The concentration of nutrients in this refill/irrigation solution is determined by multiplying the optimal concentration of each nutrient in plant tissue by the water-use efficiency (WUE; ratio of dry mass to water transpired). Optimal leaf nutrient concentrations are well established, but WUE in controlled environments varies widely and is less well characterized. Elevated CO 2 increases photosynthesis and demand for nutrients, but partially closes stomata and reduces transpiration; so high CO 2 dramatically increases WUE. The concentration of the refill/irrigation solution must be adjusted to account for a two-fold range of WUE, from 3 g L −1 in ambient CO 2 in lower humidity, to 6 g L −1 in elevated CO 2 in higher humidity. WUE and nutrient requirements vary during the vegetative and reproductive stages of growth, and adjustment of the solution over the lifecycle can be beneficial. Measurement of solution electrical conductivity (EC) is helpful, but if the solution is appropriate, low EC usually means healthy plants and active nutrient uptake. The ammonium to nitrate ratio is critical to pH management. We have applied these principles across multiple species and environments to achieve long-term, steady-state nutrient concentrations with no discharge or leaching of solution.

Suggested Citation

  • Noah James Langenfeld & Daniel Fernandez Pinto & James E. Faust & Royal Heins & Bruce Bugbee, 2022. "Principles of Nutrient and Water Management for Indoor Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-25, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:16:p:10204-:d:890239
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Raudales, Rosa E. & Parke, Jennifer L. & Guy, Charles L. & Fisher, Paul R., 2014. "Control of waterborne microbes in irrigation: A review," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 9-28.
    2. Šimůnek, Jiří & Hopmans, Jan W., 2009. "Modeling compensated root water and nutrient uptake," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(4), pages 505-521.
    3. Wang, Tongxin & Tang, Xuguang & Zheng, Chen & Gu, Qing & Wei, Jin & Ma, Mingguo, 2018. "Differences in ecosystem water-use efficiency among the typical croplands," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 142-150.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dimitra I. Pomoni & Maria K. Koukou & Michail Gr. Vrachopoulos & Labros Vasiliadis, 2023. "A Review of Hydroponics and Conventional Agriculture Based on Energy and Water Consumption, Environmental Impact, and Land Use," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-26, February.
    2. Carotti, Laura & Pistillo, Alessandro & Zauli, Ilaria & Meneghello, Davide & Martin, Michael & Pennisi, Giuseppina & Gianquinto, Giorgio & Orsini, Francesco, 2023. "Improving water use efficiency in vertical farming: Effects of growing systems, far-red radiation and planting density on lettuce cultivation," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).

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