Floriculture and Controlled Environment Horticulture
Floriculture and Controlled Environment Horticulture

Contact Information

Arundathi Sharma
Extension Associate, Controlled-Environment Agriculture

N-318 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-8605

arundathi.sharma@uky.edu

Nutrition

Nutrition

The below table lists resources that growers may find helpful:

Title/Link Description/Type Tags

Irrigation Water Sampling (CEH-1-IG)

Extension Article #uk #extension

PourThru Method – Annual Bedding Plants (CEH-2-IG)

Extension Article #uk #extension
PourThru Method – Containerized Perennials (CEH-3-IG) Extension Article #uk #extension

PourThru Method – Nursery Crops (CEH-4-IG)

Extension Article #uk #extension
Soilless Substrate Sampling (CEH-5-IG) Extension Article #uk #extension
Plant Leaf Tissue Sampling (CEH-6-IG) Extension Article #uk #extension
PourThru Method for Large Containerized Crops e-GRO Article #egro

Jar Test: Determining Fertilizer Solubility and Compatibility

e-GRO Article #egro

Target Leaf Tissue Sampling for Precise Nutrient Diagnosis

e-GRO Article #egro

Ornamentals

Coleus Nutritional Disorder Guide

This e-GRO Alert provides a photographic guide to coleus nutritional disorders.

 

Fuchsia: Lower Leaf Purpling

Fuchsia are often produced in hanging baskets to showcase their ornate and intricate flowers. High substrate pH will induce upper leaf interveinal chlorosis. However, an observed, but not reported, reddish-purple interveinal chlorosis occurs on lower leaves as a result of low pH induced micronutrient toxicity of iron (Fe).

 

Gerbera: Diagnosing Interveinal Chlorosis of Upper Leaves

Upper leaf interveinal chlorosis (yellowing) of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) is an indicator of iron (Fe) deficiency and may be a result of waterlogged substrates, high substrate pH, or underdeveloped root system.

 

Water-soluble and Controlled-release Fertilization

Controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) are coated with a substance (often a resin, wax, sulfur, or polymer) that prevents the nutrients it contains from being immediately available to the plant — the result is that nutrients are released over an extended period. Depending on the brand of CRF the release rate (and thus its longevity) is subject to temperature, substrate moisture level, and the type and thickness of the coating.

 

Food Crops

Fertilizer Calculation Basics for Hydroponics

While the math itself is pretty straightforward, there are several key points to take into account, including: percent elemental composition of a fertilizer, injector ratios, size of stock tank, and compatibility of fertilizer salts in stock tanks. This alert will cover the basics of fertilizer calculations.

 

Fine tuning nutrient replenishment in hydroponics

This eGRO Edibles Alert provides a real world scenario where maintaining a target solution EC resulted in nutrient deficiency. We will also discuss a method for designing replenishment solutions that minimizes the risk of nutritional problems and the need to periodically dump and replace solution.

 

Magnesium Deficiency of Hydroponic and Container Grown Basil

Basil (Ocimumbasilicum) is the most commonly grown greenhouse herb crop. Basil is sensitive to magnesium deficiency. Visual symptoms of magnesium deficiency appear first on old and recently mature leaves as a slight interveinal chlorosis (yellowing). This article will cover the progression of visual symptoms of magnesium deficiency, common causes of the deficiency, target leaf tissue elemental magnesium, and corrective actions for both hydroponic and container grown plants.

 

Managing micronutrients in hydroponic culture

Managing micronutrients in hydroponic production systems with recirculating nutrient solutions requires a different approach than managing them compared to containerize crops.

 

Nutrient Antagonisms - The Potassium-Calcium-Magnesium Relationship

Managing mineral nutrition for hydroponically grown crops is essential for maximizing crop productivity and quality. Deficiency symptoms can occur when there are insufficient nutrient concentrations in solution. However, it is also possible to observe deficiency symptoms even when there is a sufficient concentration in the nutrient solution due to nutrient antagonisms. This e-GRO Edible Alert is going to focus on the relationship between potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg).

 

Potassium Deficiency of Greenhouse Cucumbers

Potassium deficiency of greenhouse cucumbers may be initially observed as chlorosis (yellowing) of the older lower leaf margins. As symptoms progress, interveinal chlorosis and firing (necrosis) of the leaf margin and interveinal regions will develop while the leaf midrib and veins remain green.

 

Test & Adjust Nutrients in Hydroponics

In hydroponic systems, we supply nutrients in forms that are available to the crop. Plants respond rapidly to good and bad fertilizer choices. Therefore, we need to use precision in applying the fertilizers to sustain crop yields and quality. In this e-Gro Edible Alert, I will discuss sampling and how to use the results of testing to adjust nutrient programs.

 

Yellow Shoulder: A Ripening Disorder of Greenhouse Tomato Fruit

Yellow shoulder/green shoulder is a physiological disorder that is not well understood. The disorder is prevalent in greenhouse / high tunnel tomato production and can also be found under field conditions. This article will discuss causes of yellow shoulder and cultural management steps that can be taken to reduce its prevalence.

Contact Information

Arundathi Sharma
Extension Associate, Controlled-Environment Agriculture

N-318 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-8605

arundathi.sharma@uky.edu