Plant nutrition Plant nutrition is the study of the chemical elements and compounds necessary for plant growth, plant metabolism and their external supply. In 1972, Emanuel Epstein defined two criteria for an element to be essential for plant growth: in its absence the plant is unable to complete a normal life cycle.or that the element is part of some essential plant constituent or metabolite. This is in accordance with Justus von Liebig's law of the minimum.[1] The essential plant nutrients include carbon, oxygen and hydrogen which are absorbed from the air, whereas other nutrients including nitrogen are typically obtained from the soil (exceptions include some parasitic or carnivorous plants). There are 16 most important nutrients for plants. Plants must obtain the following mineral nutrients from their growing medium:[2] These elements stay beneath soil as salt. Farmer spreading decomposing manure to improve soil fertility and plant nutrition Processes[edit] Functions of nutrients[edit] Carbon[edit]
100 years ago, people were eating things that most of us will never taste. So what happened? Narrator: In 1905, a book called The Apples of New York appeared. It featured hundreds of Apples with names like Westfield Seek-No-Further or Esopus Spitzenburg, a favorite of Thomas Jefferson. If it wasn't for preservationists for like Ron Joyner in Lansing, North Carolina, most apples including the Virginia Greening, an apple dating back to the 1700 with thick green skin and yellow, coarse, and sweet flesh would no longer exist. In the last, century nearly 75% of our agricultural crops had disappeared. Vandana Shiva is a global ambassador on a mission to save seeds around the world. To learn more about seeds swaps and seed sovereignty, visit www.lexiconofsustainability.com. THE LEXICON OF SUSTAIN ABILITY www.lexiconofsustainability.com There may be small errors in this transcript.
Blue Planet Biomes - Plants The Importance of Plants Close to 2.5 billion years ago, the earth's surface and atmosphere were stable enough to support primitive life. Single-cell organisms began to develop in the seas that covered the planet. A simple organism known as blue-green algae appeared and spread across the seas. Blue-green algae used sunlight and water to make food, and in the process, created oxygen. Plants play the most important part in the cycle of nature. The oxygen we breathe comes from plants. Leaves are the main food-making part of most plants. Plant Facts Scientists believe there are over 260,000 species of plants. Certain characteristics of plants set them apart from other living things. Plants and Their Environment Plants require a reasonable level of heat to grow. A plant's environment is made up of many factors. No two natural communities are exactly alike, but many resemble one another more than they differ. Medicine Plants provide many useful drugs.
Controlled-environment agriculture Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) is a technology-based approach toward food production. The aim of CEA is to provide protection and maintain optimal growing conditions throughout the development of the crop. Production takes place within an enclosed growing structure such as a greenhouse or building. Plants are often grown using hydroponic methods in order to supply the proper amounts of water and nutrients to the root zone. Controllable variables: Temperature (air, nutrient solution, root-zone)Humidity (%RH)Carbon dioxide (CO2)Light (intensity, spectrum, interval)Nutrient concentration (PPM, EC)Nutrient pH (acidity) CEA facilities can range from fully automated glasshouses with computer controls for watering, lighting and ventilation, to low-tech solutions such as cloches or plastic film on field grown crops and plastic-covered tunnels.[2] CEA is used in research so that a specific aspect of production can be isolated while all other variables remain the same. See also[edit]
How to Build a GeoDome Greenhouse - Northern Homestead When it comes to gardening in colder climates, a greenhouse is almost a must have. It extends the growing season and gives the plants a lot more heat. With a greenhouse, we can actually pick ripe tomatoes here and grow some plants that we would not be able to without one. A greenhouse can also be a great place to hang out on those cool spring days and summer nights. Very unique, lightweight structure Stable in wind and under snow Optimal light absorption Has the most growing ground space A unique hang-out place An eye catcher The GeoDome greenhouse seemed to be just what we were looking for. What materials to use? We looked at dozens of how-to instructions and even bought a pricy e-Book (with very little value). Here we share our GeoDome building experience for anyone who wants to build a GeoDome -Wood. Acidome is one of the best Geodome calculators we were able to find on the internet. First we had to cut the 2x6s to 2″ wide struts. Here’s a graphic of the end of a strut in 3D. .
Aquaponics Integrated Systems of Agriculture and Aquaculture (AQUAPONICS) Active link to Camera and data collection in Aquaponics Greenhouse at University of Arizona Link to video of AquaponicsAquaponics PowerPoint Presentation A variety of plants grown in Tilapia effluent (University of Arizona) Another use of aquaculture in the classroom that is gaining in popularity is the use of aquaculture in systems where a secondary crop of plants is grown using the effluent from the aquaculture facility. An experimental aquaculture/hydroponic system (U of A) There are several ways of creating integrated systems as a part of recirculating systems. An A frame system of lettuce grown with fish effluent. nitrogen available as a waste in aquaculture systems but don't need phosphorus (which is not present in aquaculture systems) as many fruiting plants do. Dr. This aquaponic system is one of the many worthwhile projects being developed at The Cabbage Hill Farm (found in their aquaponics section on the home page).
Vertical farming Lettuce grown in indoor vertical farming system. Vertical farming is the practice of producing food and medicine in vertically stacked layers, vertically inclined surfaces and/or integrated in other structures (such as in a skyscraper, used warehouse, or shipping container). The modern ideas of vertical farming use indoor farming techniques and controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) technology,[1] where all environmental factors can be controlled. Hydroponic systems can be lit by LEDs that mimic sunlight. Types[edit] The term "vertical farming" was coined by Gilbert Ellis Bailey in 1915 in his book Vertical Farming. Mixed-use skyscrapers[edit] Mixed-use skyscrapers were proposed and built by architect Ken Yeang.[7] Yeang proposes that instead of hermetically sealed mass-produced agriculture, plant life should be cultivated within open air, mixed-use skyscrapers for climate control and consumption. Despommier's skyscrapers[edit] Stackable shipping containers[edit] Technology[edit]
Are Coffee Grounds Good For Plants? You only need to walk past a coffee shop in any American city to see that our country loves java. With so much coffee being consumed on a daily basis, it’s encouraging to learn that there is a productive use for all those grinds. Next time you make a cup, save your coffee grounds and add them to the soil in your garden. For best results, use organic coffee if you will be consuming the fruits or vegetables you fertilize. In case you didn’t know, approximately 60% of the worlds coffee beans are sprayed with potentially harmful pesticides. Coffee Grounds as a Mulching Agent Coffee’s breakdown materials can be used as a mulching agent, as well as a fertilizing agent, for gardens. Coffee Grounds as a Compost Addition Adding coffee to your compost or worm bin is a great idea. Coffee as a Fertilizer As a fertilizer, used coffee grounds are slightly acidic and full of nitrogen, a mineral that aids vegetable and plant growth. Coffee as a Pesticide How to Use Coffee Grounds in Your Garden - Dr.
Hydroponic / Greenhouse Crops - Small Farms / Alternative Enterprises - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension The primary crops grown in greenhouses include: pepper, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, herbs, and strawberry. The industry in Florida has changed from primarily either tomato or cucumber in the early 1990s to the diversity of today. A variety of structure types are used, as well. Florida Greenhouse Production Handbook Considerations for financial issues, construction, crops, production, pest management, and marketing. UF/IFAS Sites The Protected Agriculture Project--Horticulture Sciences Department State & Federal Agencies Other University Sites Organization & Associations Return to top Return to Crops
Learn by Doing device Choosing The Best Indoor Plants For Your Interior It’s no secret that I’ve been a wee bit obsessed with plants lately. After taking a good look at my interior and realizing that multiple areas of my home are a bit bare, I’m convinced that a few houseplant purchases will help breathe new life into my living room, bedroom, powder room and home office. I’m fairly good at keeping plants alive, but when I get busy, I tend to be forgetful about watering. Succulents in a light-filled window For starters, several of my favorite blogs have recently featured posts on caring for houseplants. Today I thought I’d share some tips and tidbits for choosing and maintaining the best indoor plants for your interior. Indoor Plant Ideas I thought I’d begin by sharing a few houseplant ideas that experts consistently recommend as sturdy indoor greenery. Fiddle leaf fig in a woven pot Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, also known as the ZZ plant (or the zee zee plant) is a long-lasting, super-resilient houseplant that can handle low to bright light. Ah, the snake plant!
Growing Hydroponic Tomatoes Home Page This interactive web site provides practical, accurate information on growing hydroponic tomatoes for students, hobbyists, and beginning growers. Hydroponic culture is one of the most exacting and intensive methods of crop production used in agriculture today. Over the last 20 years, great advances in hydroponic technology have been made through extensive research and development programs in the United States and Europe. And although hydroponics may be technology and capital intensive, it is also extremely productive and efficient in its water and land use. Whether your interest in hydroponics is as a hobby, an additional source of income, or you want to get into the commercial market, the future and opportunities in soilless culture are more favorable today than ever before. We hope this introduction to hydroponic tomato growing will spark your interest, provide information, and lead you other resources available in print and on the web.