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what are organic mulches?
natural waste products placed around the crops plants and decompose after the season ended
what are synthetic mulch materials?
first used in the 50s and 60s
affordable, easy to install, effectively controlled weeds
reduced time to harvest
non-degradable plastics and degradable plastics
what are the benefits of mulches?
conserves water by reducing evaporation
controls weeds by reducing light irradiation to weed seeds
reduces labor by reducing
weeding
irrigation frequency
fertilizer applications
reduce nutrient loss
reduce insect infestations
improves and protects soil structure
reduce incidence of disease helps keep farm cleaner
what are types of organic mulches?
straw
grass
sawdust
paper
living mulches
straw mulches
should be free of weed seeds
time consuming to apply
good environment for slugs and rodents
grass mulches
low C:N ratio
good source of N for crops
sawdust mulches
high C:N ratio
requires addition of inorganic N
must be composted before use
paper
available in sheets same with as raised beds
may be applied with mulch layer
will decompose facilitating clean up
may decompose before growing season complete
living mulches
cover crop remains alive in aisle during growing season
helps prevent growth of broadleaf weed species during growing season
grass often best because growth can be controlled without harming crop
post herbicide can be applied at sublethal levels to retard growth of grass mulch
may require additional nitrogen fertilization to support mulch and crop
this has been experimented with:
asparagus
watermelon and other vine crops
strawberries
what are examples of synthetic mulches?
black plastic
clear plastic
white plastic
Black plastic synthetic mulches
traps heat and promotes warming of soil
goods for melons, watermelons, cucumbers, summer squash, peppers, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries
inhibits weed growth by excluding light to seed bed
clear synthetic mulches
warms soil the best
allows weed growth because light penetrates seed bed
white plastic mulches
reflects light best
soil slightly cooler than black or clear
repels some insects because leaf undersides are brighter
Black/White combination
reflective colored plastic
degradable plastic
benefits of synthetic mulches
problems with synthetic mulches
what are the two objectives for protected culture?
Extend the growing season
early season planting and extending harvest
Controlled environmental horticulture
what are cold frames?
purpose: harden seedlings, production of low-growing cole crops
characteristics: temporary structure, unheated, designed for maximum light harvest, designed to use passive cooling
what are hot beds?
purpose: harden seedlings, production of low-growing cole crops - “cold frame” with heat source
characteristics: temporary structure, heated (buried heat cables, manure or compost), designed for maximum harvest of light, designed to use passive cooling
hot caps
purpose: individual covers placed over seedlings, protect plants from suboptimal temps, can be removed temporarily when conditions improve
characteristics: temporary structure, unheated, designs (formed plastic, film plastic, paper, milk cartons - may overheat on sunny days)
floating row covers
purpose: cover placed over plant rows, protect plants from suboptimal temperatures, can be removed temporarily when conditions improve
characteristics: lightweight fabrics, vary thickness, allow water to infiltrate
low tunnels
high tunnels
purpose: hoop structures placed over plant rows (may be placed over multiple rows), protect plants from suboptimal temperatures, remain in place until conditions improve (may be constructed to remove the cover, cover may be placed over structure towards ends of the season to extend harvest)
characteristics: film plastic, metal or plastic (PVC) ribs to support, varying thickness, ventilation (some have roll-up sides)
what are quonset greenhouses?
most economical greenhouse design
may be short or tall sided
facilitated film coverings
most commonly used design
what are Even-Span greenhouses?
roof pitches are equal
side wall height ranges from 8 to 25 typically covered with ridged plastic
what are greenhouse cultural systems?
cultural systems, organics, hydroponics, aquaponics
protected structures for organic production
function: uses soil and compost and substrates, grow plants in ground or containers, may be heated or no
what is hydroponics?
culture of plants in a nutrient rich liquid medium with or without an inert support substrate
liquid medium contains all nutrients essential for plant growth at the desired concentrations
supports may be sand, rockwool, and perlite
why do we use hydroponics?
crops can be grown where no suitable soil exists or where the soil is contaminated
improves plant yield
more flowers and fruit
increased flower and fruit size
improved quality
plant receive balanced nutrition
reduced insect and disease problems
plants are better able to resist pests and diseases because of increased vigor
diseases can be eradicated easily in closed systems
can conserve water and nutrients
irrigation can be automated
nutrients are applied individually as needed
the plant environment can be easily monitored and controlled
reduced labor
what are the main points on why we use hydroponics?
crops can be grown when no suitable soil exists or where the soil is contaminated
improved plant yield
reduced insect and disease problems
can conserve water and nutrients
the plant environment can be easily monitored and controlled
reduced labor
easy to start a business
hydroponic bag culture
plants are grown directly in bags that contain an inter substrate
perlite
horticultural rockwool
vermiculite
sand
system may be set up to capture leachate and reuse it or leachate may be contained within the bag
what are the advantages to bag hydroponic growing systems?
provides proper nutrition
no soil to pasteurize
conserves water and nutrients
crop nutrition can be continuously monitored
inexpensive to construct
what are the disadvantages to bag hydroponic growing systems?
difficult to maintain a consistent moisture level among all bags
best for shallow-rooted crops
what are the top three crops grown hydroponically?
butterhead lettuce, tomato, and cucumber
what kinds of crops can be grown in bags?
any crops that grow upright - a variety are able to be grown in these systems (probably not high-density crops like lettuce)
how are bag hydroponic growing systems harvested?
workers harvest tomatoes from plant and place in car
loaded carts are moved down aisle until all fruit are harvested
cart is transported to dumping stations located in floor
fruit travels down water way under greenhouse floor to packaging station
packaged fruits are placed on pallets and ready for shipment
what are nutrient film techniques?
plants are grown in plastic troughs through which a thin film of nutrient solution is passed
nutrient solution passes over plant roots and some is absorbed
no soil or inert support is necessary
the solution is collected and recirculated to the plants
what is the system design of nutrient film technique?
usually a closed system in which the nutrient solution is delivered to the plants and collected and returned to the system
what are the advantages to the NFT?
very efficient
no soil or inert substrate necessary
closed system
conserves water and nutrients
crop nutrition can be continuously monitored
what are the disadvantages of the NFT system?
can be expensive to set up
best for short term crops
mainly for shallow rooted crops
what is the Verti-Gro System?
pants are grown in polystyrene containers that can be stacked vertically
up to 8 high
a soilless medium is used
Perlite
Clay pebbles
Perlite/Vermiculite mix (1:1)
Coconut coir mixed with perlite (1:1)
what are the advantages of Verti-Gro
can be used for a wide variety of crops
allows the grower to use space most efficiently
up to 32 plants per sq ft of floor space
can be automated or run manually
conserves water and nutrients
can be modified to catch and recycle water and excess nutrients
crop nutrition can be continuously monitored
inexpensive to construct
can be used outdoors in warm areas