| Abstract Detail
Horticulture Mirza, Mohyuddin [1]. Development and current status of hydroponics systems for greenhouse vegetable production in Alberta. Alberta greenhouse crops industry is the fourth largest in Canada, comprising of 154 acres of vegetables and 161 acres of ornamental and tree seedlings with a value of over $ 60 million. Hydroponics systems for greenhouse vegetable production were adopted from 1980 to 1984 and now all commercial vegetables are grown in coir based hydroponics system. This adoption of production in hydroponics system was necessitated due to root knot nematodes and Fusarium wilt diseases.
This presentation will describe the systematic research and extension efforts needed to adopt this hydroponics systems. The adoption of these systems turned the greenhouse vegetable production around from an economic disaster to a highly sustainable industry. Better nutrient management techniques will be described. Growing media adoption underwent a constant change from the use of strawbales to sawdust, peat moss, rockwool and finally to coir. Crop management practices will also be discussed which accompanied the hydroponics system, e.g. the use of biological controls, raised troughs, high wire cucumber production and water recycling technologies.
The adoption of hydroponics system by vegetable growers also impacted the ornamental industry. Almost all growers are using soilless growing media at this time in Alberta.
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1 - Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association, Education and Extension, 2847-36A Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T6T1R3, Canada
Keywords:
Hydroponics
greenhouse vegetable production
Soilless cultivation.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 23
Location: Salon 19/20/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 3:45 PM
Number: 23001
Abstract ID:113
Candidate for Awards:None |
