• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.469-478
• /
• 1997

This study was conducted to develop an automatic nutrient-solution mixing system for small-scale sewers. The nutrient-solution mixing system consisted of a low-cost and precise metering device and data acquisition ＆ control system with a personal computer. and, the metering device was composed of three parts those were supply pumps, metering cylinders and venturi tube. The system controlled electric conductivity(EC) and pH of nutrient-solution based on the time-based feedback control method with the information about temperature, EC, and pH of the nutrient-solution. The performance of the nutrient-solution mixing system was evaluated through the control of EC and pH while compared with those of commercial system. Also an experimental cultivation of tomato was conducted to verify and to improve the developed system. Results of this study were as follows. 1. The correlation coefficient of meteing device between the flow rate and operating time was 0.9999, and the linear reuession equation computed was y=21.759x, where y is the discharge($g$) and x is the operating time(s). 2. Calculated errors for the developed metering device and two commercial pump were $\pm$0.3% $\pm$2.45% and $\pm$1.38 % FS error respectively. 3. An automatic nutrient-solution mixing system based on a low-cost and precise metering device was developed. 4. The full scale errors of the developed system in controlling EC and pH at 23$\pm$1$^{\circ}C$ were $\pm$0.05mS/cm and $\pm$0.2, respectively 5. When using the commercial system, the controlled values of EC and pH of the 500 $\ell$ of water were 1.29 mS/cm and 6.1 pH for the setting points of 1.4 mS/cm and 6.0 pH respectively at 23$pm1^{\circ}C$. 6. The developed nutrient-solution control system showed $\pm$0.05 ms/cm of deviation from the setting EC value over the experimental cultivation period. 7. The deviation from the average values of Ca and Mg mass content in the several nutrient-solution were 0.5% and 1.8% respectively.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.271-274
• /
• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of composition of nutrient solution on the growth and quality of baby leaf vegetables (tat soi, romaine lettuce, beet, and red radish) hydroponically cultivated in plant factory. The seeds of four vegetable crops were sown in urethane sponges and cultivated for 14 days in a plant factory. Light intensity and photoperiod were $110{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ and 16 h, respectively; and air temperature in photo/darkperiod was maintained at $25/20^{\circ}C$. Tap water was used for irrigation for 7 days after sowing, and then plants were irrigated for 7 days using tap water and the nutrient solutions of Korea Wonshi, Japan Enshi, and Yamazaki for lettuce. At 14 days after sowing, the fresh weight of tah soi was highest in the nutrient solution of Yamazaki for lettuce, and there were no significant differences among nutrient solutions in beet and red radish. When we compared leaf color using Hunter's a value, the nutrient solution of Korea Wonshi and Japan Enshi increased green color in baby leaf vegetables, while the nutrient solution of Yamazaki for lettuce increased red color. Total phenolic content of romaine lettuce was highest in the nutrient solution of Korea Wonshi, but tat soi, beet, and red radish showed no significant differences among nutrient solutions in total phenolic contents. From these results, we suggest that using the nutrient solution of Korea Wonshi can enhance the growth and quality of romaine lettuce and the nutrient solution of Yamazaki for lettuce is appropriate for enhancing the growth and red color of beet and red radish in plant factory.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.37-39
• /
• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of nutrient solution concentration, irrigation frequency on growth, flowering, and cut flower longevity of Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura 'Shuhouno-chikara' hydroponically grown in perlite media. Not only stem length but also mineral contents of each plant organ in nutrient solution culture were much higher than those in soil culture. 1/2S of nutrient solution was good at early stage, but 1S of nutrient solution was better as chrysanthemum growth progressed. Among different concentrations of nutrient solution, mineral contents of each plant part showed no significant difference. 1S treatment of nutrient solution increased the vase life by 3 days than 2S treatment. The growth and mineral contents of each plant organ were great in plants irrigated 8 times a day, because of high moisture contents of medium and high water availability, followed by more frequent nutrient replenishment near roots. There was no correlation between nutrient solution concentration and vase life of cut flower grown in nutrient solution culture. Cut flowers irrigated twice per day had the longer vase life than other treatments (4, 8 times).

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.172-182
• /
• 1999

Leaf lettuce(Lacaug sativa L.) was cultivated in deep flow culture to investigate growth and yield in relation to different reusing method of nutrient solution after once cultivation. Five different treatments were allocated to the nutrient solutions - Control(total renewal of solution), NSS(nutrient solution supplement), U control, NSAC(nutrient solution analysis and compensation), NSAC and Humus supply(NSAC with supply of Humus). The pH of solution was kept stable below 7.0 during 4 successive culture in NSAC and NSAC and Humus supply. U was sharply declined in NSS as the number of cultivation was increased. Gmwth and yield of NSAC was similar to those of Control because nutrient elements were kept the balance to the better growth, while the lettuce grown in NSS and EC control was shown lower growth rate. In the nutrient solutions, Content of N $O_3$-N and N $H_4$-N were remarkably decreased after the cultivation in all treatments. Ca and Mg were shown to be accumulated in nutrient solution regardless of culture times and treatments. After the first culture in NSAC and Humus supply, total N and P$_2$ $O_{5}$ content in leaves were lower than any other treatments, but Ca content was higher. Those were not significant as following cultures, and no significant difference of K and Mg content were shown among the treatments.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.199-204
• /
• 2007

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of nutrient solution strength on the growth of miniature multiflora P. amabilis and P. Taisuco Red Jewel at two growth stages during four months cultivation in an ebb and flow system. Early stage plants gained the biggest leaf length and width when nutrient solution strength was EC 0.5 or $1.0dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in P. amabilis, and EC $1.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in P. Taisuco Red Jewel. Root length and weight were the greatest when nutrient solution strength was EC $0.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in both cultivars and this trend was also found in middle stage plants. Fresh and dry weights of leaves increased as nutrient solution strength was elevated and were the greatest when nutrient solution strength was EC $1.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$ in P. amabilis. On the contrary elevation of nutrient solution strength decreased fresh weight of roots, being the greatest when nutrient solution strength was EC $0.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$. This trend was also found in P. Taisuco Red Jewel and P. amabilis at middle growth stage. The T/R ratio and chlorophyll content increased with nutrient solution strength and were the greatest regardless of cultivar and growth stage when nutrient strength was EC $1.5dS{\cdot}m^{-1}$.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.299-309
• /
• 1997

This experiment was conducted to determine the mineral absorption character and develop the optimum composition of nutrient solution for dill(Anethum graveolens L.) in hydroponics. Dill(Anethum graveolens L.) plants were grown in nutrient film technique(NFT) supplied with 1/4, 1/2, and 1 strength of the nutrient solution developed by National Research Station in Japan(HRS). Plants grown in 1/2 strength showed the best growth in plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight compared with those grown in 1/4 or 1 strength. In 1/2 strength solution, pH and EC changed little and proper nutrient contents were observed in the leaves as compared to plant nutrient diagnosis standard. Based on these results, optimum macronutrients were composed by nutrient- water absorption rate(n/w) with 1/2 strength: NO$_2$―N 8.85, NH$_4$―N 0.55, P 2.1, K 6.2, Ca 2.8, and Mg 1.7 me L$^{-1}$ To examine the suitability of the nutrient solution developed(SCU) , dill plants were grown in NFT supplied with two different kinds of solution and concentration. 1/2, 1, 3/2 and 25 of SCU and 1/2S of HRS. Changes of pH and EC were not distinct in 1S, but a significant change of pH was shown in low concentrations-HRS 1/2S and SCU 1/2S. Shoot fresh and dry weight were much higher in the plants grown in SCU IS as compared with HRS 1/2S. There were no significant differences in growth of plants grown in SCU IS, 3/2S, and 25. In addition, nutrient contents in the leaves grown by SCU 1S were in proper levels as compared with plant nutrient diagnosis standard. SCU 1S developed in this experiment was found to be optimum for dill in hydroponics.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.277-283
• /
• 1997

The effect of nutrient concentration and plant growth regulators on rooting of Coleus stem cuttings were investigated. In contrast to sand cutting, the nutrient solution or plant growth regulator treatment increased the root numbers and root length. The concentration of nutrient solution were 1, l/2 and 1/4 strength of the balanced nutrient solution developed by Japanese Horticultural Experimental Station and the highest root growth was obtained from 1/4 strength nutrient concentration. NAA or IBA treatment in culture solution stimulated the rooting and 0.01mg/l of NAA or IBA was effective in root development. Furthermore, days for rooting were shortened and root growth were promoted by mixing nutrient solutions with plant growth regulators and by using cutting with leaves. The rooting of Coleus was observed under microscope and the adventitious root formation initiated at 3 days after cutting with nutrient and auxin mixture.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.52-60
• /
• 1992

The optimum management of nutrient solution needs the effective combination of fertilizers as well as the accurate control of nutrient solution. This study was attempt to make a supporting system for effective fertilizer combination by using computer and also to develop a EC predicting equation for keeping the EC of solution within the allowable range after application of combined fertilizers. The supporting system consists of three parts : (1) data bases, (2) rules for deciding the kinds and amounts of fertilizers and (3) main control. With input data, the main control automatically constructs the network connecting the related data bases and subsequently executes the operation of searching proper fertilizers through it. For more effective searching, fertilizers are classified into two levels(level 1 and level 2) in consideration of solubility, price, and frequency in use, and searched in that order. The EC prediction equation, a extended form of the Robinson and Stroke's theoretical equation only available for a binary electrolyte, is suggested for predicting the EC of the nutrient solution containing many kinds of inorganic compounds. The comparison of predicted and measured ECs showed good agreements with the high correlation between the predicted EC decrement by ion interaction and the actual one(limiting EC minus measured EC).

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.50 no.5
• /
• pp.489-496
• /
• 2017

This study was conducted to test the applicability of hydroxy radical reactor system, which applied advanced oxidation processes, to sterilize pathogenic bacteria for nutrient solution recycling in closed hydroponics. Removal efficiency was tested on 25 L of nutrient solution maxed with 10 mL culture solution of bacteria, E. coli, and R. solanacearum in a pilot tank. The testing conditions included various levels of hydroxy radicals resulting from air flow rates of 40, 80, and $120L\;min^{-1}$, and 12 hours processing time. The removal of bacteria, E. coli, and R. solanacearum by hydroxy radical in nutrient solution was significantly increased with an increase in the flow rate of the air from $40L\;min^{-1}$ to $120L\;min^{-1}$. The optimum removal efficiency was achieved at an air flow rate of $120L\;min^{-1}$ for 2 hours treatment. There were no significant differences in removal efficiency among bacteria, E. coli, and R. solanacearum for tested level and time of hydroxy radical. These results verified the efficiency of hydroxy radical in removing the pathogenic bacteria and the applicability of hydroxy radical reactor system in the field.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.978-980
• /
• 2010

This study was conducted to observe the cause of injury of fig plant. Nitrogen dioxide gas can be evolved at low pH or reduced in soil. Fig plant cultivated with nutrient solution was wilted or withered. Injury symptom for nutrient solution containing nitrous acid was worse as pH of soil decreased. However, increase in pH of nutrient solution treated with increasing $Ca(OH)_2$ solution prevented nutrient solution from producing nitrogen dioxide gas. Recovery of the fig plant by pH increase indicated that the cause of injury was nitrogen dioxide gas.