Nutrient solution temperature

The temperature of the nutrient solution plays a very important role in the successful cultivation of plants. There are two main factors that depend on the temperature of the nutrient solution – the solubility of oxygen in water and the oxygen demand of plants.

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Oxygen solubility in solution

The higher the temperature of the nutrient solution, the less dissolved oxygen in the solution. The drop in oxygen content is not very sharp. At temperatures from 0 to 30 Β° C, water loses about half of its oxygen. At 20 Β° C there is about 9,5 mg / L of dissolved oxygen, but at 30 Β° C the content drops to 7,6 mg / L. These values ​​are valid for pure water. Salinity also lowers theoretical oxygen levels slightly.

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Oxygen demand

An increase in the temperature of the nutrient solution leads to an increase in plant metabolism, and as a result, to an increased demand for oxygen in the root zone, where the absorption of the latter occurs faster. At temperatures up to 30 Β° C, the increase in plant oxygen demand is really sharp. In the ground, plants close their stomata when temperatures rise too high to conserve water. They just stop growing. In hydroponics, with good water circulation to maintain high dissolved oxygen levels, plants continue to grow at temperatures higher than those in the soil.

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Optimal temperature

There is no ideal temperature for the nutrient solution. The low temperature of the solution provides the content of more oxygen, but a slower metabolism; high temperature – less oxygen, risk of root death, pathogenic infection, but it provides accelerated growth. The ideal interval is considered to be a temperature from 18 Β° C to 24 Β° C. This does not mean that everything will die at temperatures above this range. The room temperature is often over 30 Β° C. The design of the hydroponic system makes a big contribution. If the system is dynamic, then the plants will withstand the heat and survive.

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Cooling the nutrient solution

The solution can be cooled in several ways. The best solution is to cool the indoor air. Water has a greater buffering property than air. It takes more time for water to change the temperature and after a while, it will come back to the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere. Therefore, the optimal solution is to first influence the ambient temperature. Then, if you manage to keep it within reasonable limits, you can gain a few degrees by cooling the water.

Coolers can be found these days that are attached to the sides of the tank. They are quite effective and not too expensive. Do not use them without first lowering the room temperature. For example, if the temperature in the room rises to 35 Β° C, then cooling the water will be a waste of money.

The main heat sources are lighting lamps and lamp ballasts. The ballast can always be placed outside the room. In the case of lamps, there are air-cooled fixtures that effectively reduce the amount of heat.

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Literature

  • William Texier. Hydroponics for everyone. All about home gardening. – M .: HydroScope, 2013 .– 296 p. – ISBN 978-2-84594-089-5.

Anna Evans

Author βœ“ Farmer

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