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Imprint
Development of fast and robust on-site analysis for the optimization of organic fertilization in the cultivation of potted ornamentals and herbs
Project
Project code: G2/KS/19/02
Contract period: 01.11.2019
- 31.10.2021
Budget: 173,253 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: horticulture, herbs, peat-reduced substrates, fertilization
Currently, there is an observed trend in horticulture towards a more sustainable production. This includes the substitution of peat in growing media and the shift from mineral to organic fertilization. However, both increase the risks for growers significantly. If organic fertilizers are mineralized too fast, plants might be damaged due to the accumulation of soluble salts. If mineralization is too slow, nitrogen deficiency might decrease quality. In addition, the pH can change rapidly in peat-reduced growing media in combination with organic fertilizers by enhanced microbial activity. To make these risks controllable, growers need to check pH and nitrogen supply. However, established lab analyses are not suitable therefore. Thus, the objective of the research project is the development of a fast but reliable on-site analysis of pH, EC and amount of mineral nitrogen in growing media.
Background
There are several probes for the direct measurement of pH and EC in growing as well as systems to measure ammonium and nitrate in aqueous solutions, which give correct and reproducible values. However, quite often these values are hard to interpret: Firstly, there is a lack of guide values, which were validated in pot experiments, and secondly, the measured values ore often influenced by the properties of the growing medium e.g. the current water content. Additionally, the extraction procedures for the nitrogen measurement are poorly standardized. Furthermore, the quality of the analysis suffers from a lack of maintains and care of probes and measurement systems.
Methodical approach
The project is based on a series of lab and pot experiments and a subsequent testing under real-life conditions. In the first step, the direct measurement of pH and EC in growing media is optimized by the integration of the current water content. In parallel an easy procedure for the extraction of the soluble nitrogen is developed. In the second step, these on-site methods are correlated to the established VDLUFA methods and validated in pot experiments. In the last step, several growers under real-life conditions test the methods.
Section overview
Subjects
- Plant Nutrition
- Horticulture
