media and water testing

Media and Water Testing

Services provided by:

UK Soils Laboratory Division of Regulatory Services

Cooperative Extension ServiceCollege of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Assistance with interpretation provided by departmental Extension faculty

GoalSupport County Extension Agents in effectively and efficiently providing

media and water analysis services to help clientele diagnosis problems and

manage agricultural enterprises

AgendaIntroduction of topic and background information Water testing form, bottle and sample handling and proceduresWater test results and interpretation Soilless Media testing form and sample handling and proceduresMedia test results and interpretation Discussion of procedures in the County Office Pour-through method for a quick assessment

Portable EC and pH meter Questions

Materials in your hand for this training

• Water Testing submission form with instructions

• Soilless Media Testing submission form with instructions

• HO 111, Understanding Irrigation Water Test Results and Their Implications

• HO 112, Understanding Soilless Media Test Results and Their Implications on Nursery and Greenhouse Crop Management

Why? When?

… to test water or soilless media

Steps in the Process• Sample is taken and form completed• County sends completed form and sample to

Regulatory Services, Soils Laboratory• Soils Laboratory analyzes the sample• Emails results back to county and to

Horticulture and/or tobacco specialists• Specialist adds comments/recommendations

and emails back to county and Soils Lab

Irrigation Water TestingChemical Properties Only

Sampling and Handling

• From the source, not through irrigation system• Run briefly before sampling• Fill sample bottle and the pour down to ½-inch

from top• Tighten cap• Store in refrigerator (briefly if necessary)• Do not freeze• Submit as soon as possible

• From the source, not through irrigation system• Run briefly before sampling• Fill sample bottle and the pour down to ½-inch

from top• Tighten cap• Store in refrigerator (briefly if necessary)• Do not freeze• Submit as soon as possible

Sample Submission Form

University of Kentucky Water Test Report Division of Regulatory Services

XXXXX County Extension Office

Owner Sample Identification UK Lab No County Code xxxxx xx County ID Owner ID xxx none

Received Reported 8/22/2014 8/29/2014

Sample Information Irrigation method: none given Water source: Pond Crop: Vegetable Nutrient Solution: none given Condition: Field

Laboratory Results

pH 7.2 Phosphorus 0.5 ppm Zinc 0.0 ppm Conductivity 0.33 mS/cm* Potassium 16.8 ppm Copper 0.0 ppm Alkalinity 160 ppm Calcium 34.7 ppm Iron 0.8 ppm Nitrate-N 2 ppm Magnesium 12.7 ppm Manganese 0.9 ppm Boron 0.0 ppm *mS/cm = dS/m Sodium 4.1 ppm

Report of Results

Just laboratory results are reported. The horticulture department has been provided the report for recommendations. I see nothing in this analysis that should cause problems for field vegetable production. I have attached an interpretative publication on water analysis. Dewayne Ingram

Extension Agent

For recommendations for horticultural plants contact Dewayne Ingram (dingram@uky.edu).

For recommendations for tobacco float beds contact Dr. Robert C. Pearce (rpearce@uky.edu).

Irrigation Water Test Interpretation

Interpretative Publication

HO-111Understanding Irrigation Water Test Results

and Their Implications on Nursery and Greenhouse Crop Management

Dewayne L. Ingram, Professor Department of Horticulture

• 5.5 to 7.0 - generally acceptable• Less than 5.5 - potential problem and the

elemental constituents of the water should be examined closely

• Greater than 7.0 - a possible problem, especially if there is high alkalinity; may interfere with the effectiveness of some pesticides and growth regulators when used as spray water

Electrical Conductivity (EC)

• Gage of the free ions in a solution• Also referred to as dissolved/soluble salts• Units of Measure:

– milli-siemens/cm (mS/cm) = mmhos/cm– Reciprocal of Ohms (resistance)

• 1 dS/m = 1 mmhos/cm = 1 mS/cm

Source: Cavins, et al.

Electrical Conductivity (EC)

• Measure of soluble salts• Less than 0.75 - no problem expected• 0.75 to 3.0 - increasing concern of excessive

accumulation of soluble salts over time• Greater than 3.0 - expect severe problems

• Measure of the buffering capacity of water• Mostly CO3

−2 and HCO3−

• Associated with Ca2+ and Mg2+ • High alkalinity - same effect as limestone addition • May cause rise in substrate pH over time•Notice the term alkaline (pH > 7) is entirely different from the term alkalinity (capacity to resist a change in pH)

Alkalinity

• Less than 150 ppm – no problem expected; 100 ppm is high for plug production

• 150 to 300 ppm – increasing concern if the water pH is greater than 7.5. Expect the pH of the growing substrate to increase throughout production of the crop; use acidifying fertilizers regularly, use more acid growing substrate.

• Greater than 300 ppm – significant problems if the water pH is greater than 7.5. The substrate pH will rise rapidly throughout the production of the crop and cause many nutrient problems. Acid injection into the water may be the only remedy if this water source must be used for irrigation.

Nitrate Nitrogen

• Less than 5 ppm – no problem expected• Greater than 5 ppm – no cultural problems for

plant production, however, a nitrate level greater than 5 is a good indication that your water source is polluted. There can be greater variability in this laboratory measurement compared to other measurements.

Phosphorus

• 0 to 3 ppm – no problem expected• Greater than 5 ppm - could interfere with the

uptake of other nutrients; addition of P in the fertilization program may not be necessary; could be signal of potential water source contamination by applied fertilizer, detergents, etc.

Potassium

• 0 to 10 ppm – no problem expected• Greater than 10 ppm - no cultural problems

for plant production expected. Potassium levels this high in Kentucky water samples are rare and could be potential sign that the potential water source is contaminated with fertilizer.

Calcium

• Less than 60 ppm – expect calcium deficiencies in plant production unless calcium is added in the fertilizer program.

• Greater than 60 ppm – no cultural problems for plant production expected. Hydroponic nutrient solutions for plant production use rates of 80 to 130 ppm Ca. Irrigation water with high calcium may need no additional Ca additions through fertilization. Higher amounts of Ca will compete with P and Mg and reduce their availability to plants.

Magnesium

• Less than 25 ppm – expect Mg deficiencies in plant production unless magnesium is added in the fertilization program.

• 25 to 50 ppm – should be adequate for production of most plants; hydroponic nutrient solutions use rates of 30 to 50 ppm Mg

• Greater than 50 ppm – no cultural problems for plant production. Mg levels this high in Kentucky water samples are rare and could be a sign that the potential water source is contaminated with fertilizer.

• 0 to 0.3 ppm – no problem expected

• Greater than 0.3 ppm - could cause toxicity in sensitive plants, especially at low substrate pH; high Zn in Kentucky water sources is rare and could be a sign that the potential water source is contaminated from old galvanized pipe.

Copper

• 0 to 0.2 ppm – no problem expected• Greater than 0.2 ppm - could cause toxicity in

sensitive plants, especially at low substrate pH; high Cu levels in Kentucky water sources are rare

• 0 to 1 ppm – no problem expected• Greater than 1 ppm – could cause foliar

spotting in sensitive plants and clog some micro-irrigation emitters

• Greater than 5 ppm – can cause toxicity symptoms in some plants, particularly at a substrate pH below 5.5

Manganese

• 0 to 1 ppm – no problem expected• 1 to 2 ppm – usually not toxic to plants but

usually not found this high in Kentucky water sources

• Less than 1.0 ppm – no problem expected. However, poinsettia is particularly sensitive to boron toxicity from B levels as low as 0.5 ppm.

• 1.0 to 2.0 ppm – toxicity may be a problem on some plants

• Greater than 2.0 ppm – expect toxicity symptoms at low substrate pH

Sodium

• Less than 50 ppm – no problem expected • Greater than 50 ppm – expect salt

concentration in the growing substrate to increase over time

Recommendations

More information = better targeted interpretation and recommendations

Laboratory Results

Sample Information Irrigation method: Overhead Water source: Well Crop: Ornamental Nutrient Solution: none given Condition: Greenhouse

Laboratory Results

High Alkalinity Water

Low Alkalinity Water

Target pH

pH Drift

Source: Bailey, 1996

pH = 9Alkalinity = 50

Effect of Water Alkalinity on Substrate pH

Little or no effect on substrate pH

Substantial increase in substrate pH

Effect of Water Alkalinity on Substrate pH

Water Quality Treatment Options

Total Alkalinity (ppm)

reverse osmosis

acid injection

acid reaction fertilizer

no treatment

200-450

100-200

< 75-100

Well Municipal Creek

pH 7.6 7.8 7.7Conductivity 0.7 0.2 98.0

Calcium 2.8 36.2 31.5Magnesium 0.5 12.6 10.5

Sodium 65.2 8.1 9.4

Water Test Report for Teaching Greenhouse Tap Water

Laboratory Results

pH 8.2 Phosphorus 0.5ppm Zinc 0.1ppmConductivity 0.34mmho/cm Potassium 2.5ppm Copper 0.0ppmAlkalinity 102ppm Calcium 49.4ppm Iron 0.0ppmNitrate-N 1ppm Magnesium 6.6ppm Manganese 0.0ppm

Boron 0.0ppm Sodium 13.4ppm

Questions?

Soilless Media Testing

Sample Submission Form

• Variables– Crop species– Planting time– Container size– Environment

• Limited by block management

• Timing relative to activities & events

• Several locations in representative block

• 6-8 subsamples– Thoroughly mix

• Submit a 2-pint sample; two sample bags

Submit a Large Sample

Report of Results University of Kentucky Soilless Media Test Report Division of Regulatory Services

XXXX County Extension Office

Owner Sample Identification UK Lab No County Code xxxxx xx County ID Owner ID none Received Reported 5/13/2013 5/20/2013

Sample Information Stage of plant development: none given

Crop: Bedding Plants: Vegetables Description of plants: none given Type of media: Mixture: peast, vermiculite, copmost Fertilizer applied: none given Size of container: none given Lime applied: none given

Laboratory Results* * Sample is saturated with water. After 1 hour, pH is determined in the sample. After another hour,

pH: 7.4 Boron: 0.1 ppm water is removed from the sample. Results represent concentrations in

Conductivity: 0.61 mS/cm** Sodium: 32.7 ppm the removed water. Nitrate-N: 2 ppm Copper: 1.7 ppm ** mmho/cm = dS/m = mS/cm Phosphorus: 8.4 ppm Iron: 21.3 ppm Potassium: 25.5 ppm Manganese: 3.9 ppm Calcium: 154.5 ppm Zinc: 8.7 ppm Magnesium: 25.8 ppm

Soilless Media Test Interpretation

Nutrient Concentration Ranges

Low Acceptable Optimal High Very High

pH < 5.0

5.0-5.6

5.7- 6.5

6.6-7.0

Soluble Salts – dS/m; mS/cm

1.5-2.4

2.5-3.4

3.5-4.5

Nitrate Nitrogen (NO3N) – ppm

100-199

200-300

Phosphorus (P) – ppm < 3

Potassium (K) – ppm < 60

60-149

150-249

250-350

Calcium (Ca) – ppm < 80

80-139

140-219

Magnesium (Mg) – ppm < 30

100-150

Nutrient Concentration Ranges

Low Acceptable Optimal High Very High

Sodium (Na) – ppm

Iron (Fe) – ppm< 5 5 - 10 11 -30 > 30

Manganese (Mn) - ppm< 5 5 - 10 11 - 30 > 30

Zinc (Zn) - ppm< 5 5 - 10 11 - 30 > 30

Boron (B) – ppm< 0.05 0.05 - 0.5 0.6 – 1.0 1.0 – 2.0 > 2.0

Copper (Cu) – ppm< 0.5 0.5 – 1.0 1.1 – 1.5 > 1.5

• Substrate / Medium• ‘Starter Charge’ of fertilizer• Lime (Ca and Mg Carbonates)

•Irrigation Water

• Fertilizer

Factors Influencing Media EC

Ammonium vs Nitrates

• Ammonium and urea behave the same way in soil reactions and plant utilization

• Ammonium application reduces pH• Nitrate application increases pH• NH4 < 40% of total N• Ammonium toxicity

Adjusting Substrate pH

Acidic reaction

Basic reaction

NH4 NO3 + 2H+ + H2O

Nitrification (acidic reaction)

Ammonium Toxicity

• Can occur when ammonium provides more than 50% of total N

• Occurs at higher levels of fertility… luxury consumption

• More prevalent in herbaceous plants than woody plants

• Yellowing, necrosis, rolling of leaf margins… differs with crop

• Related to the capacity of the plant to store NH4

Controlled-Release Fertilizers

Osmocote

• 70*F• Osmosis (swelling and

cracking)• PRO or PLUS formulations• “Old Staple”

Nutricote• 77*F• Polyolefin membrane

(single thickness)• Florikote or Plus formulas• Japanese product

Recommendations

More information = better targeted interpretation and recommendations

Report of Results University of Kentucky Soilless Media Test Report Division of Regulatory Services

Crop: Bedding Plants: Vegetables Description of plants: none given Type of media: Mixture: peast, vermiculite, copmost Fertilizer applied: none given Size of container: none given Lime applied: none given

Soilless Media Test University of Kentucky Soilless Media Test Report Division of Regulatory Services

Crop: none given Description of plants: none given Type of media: none given Fertilizer applied: none given Size of container: none given Lime applied: none given

Soilless Media Test University of Kentucky Soilless Media Test Report Division of Regulatory Services

Crop: Bedding Plants: none given Description of plants: none given Type of media: Mixture: none given Fertilizer applied: none given Size of container: none given Lime applied: none given

• Plant• Substrate• Limestone• Irrigation water alkalinity• Fertilizer reaction

Factors Influencing Substrate pH

Raise pH

• Change water source• Use nitrate (NO3

-) fertilizer• Apply flowable lime drench• Top dress with dolomitic lime• Apply potassium bicarbonate drench

• Change water source• Use ammonium (NH4

+) fertilizer• Acidify water• Iron sulfate drench

Lower pH

Formulation

Acidity Potential of Common Fertilizers

21-7-725-10-1020-20-2020-10-2021-5-2015-15-1520-0-20-6 Ca15-5-15-5 Ca-1 Mg15-0-15-11 Ca15.5-0-0-19 Ca

A 1556A 1040A 680A 429A 389A 260A 40B 141B 420 B 400

Fertilizer reaction

Water Test Report for Teaching Greenhouse Tap Water

Laboratory Results

pH 8.2 Phosphorus 0.5ppm Zinc 0.1ppmConductivity 0.34mmho/cm Potassium 2.5ppm Copper 0.0ppmAlkalinity 102ppm Calcium 49.4ppm Iron 0.0ppmNitrate-N 1ppm Magnesium 6.6ppm Manganese 0.0ppm

Boron 0.0ppm Sodium 13.4ppm

Formulation

Acidity Potential of Common Fertilizers

21-7-725-10-1020-20-2020-10-2021-5-2015-15-1520-0-20-6 Ca15-5-15-5 Ca-1 Mg15-0-15-11 Ca15.5-0-0-19 Ca

A 1556A 1040A 680A 429A 389A 260A 40B 141B 420 B 400

Fertilizer reaction

High Alkalinity WaterHigh Nitrate (NO3) Fertilizers

Low Alkalinity WaterHigh Ammonium (NH4) Fertilizers

Target pH

High alkalinity water

Basic reaction fertilizer

Dolomitic lime top dress

Flowable lime drench

Potassium bicarbonate drench

Acid reaction fertilizer

Low alkalinity water

Acid injection

High Alkalinity WaterHigh Nitrate (NO3) Fertilizers

Low Alkalinity WaterHigh Ammonium (NH4) Fertilizers

Target pH

Pour-through Monitoring

• Non-destructive sampling–Developed by Dr. Robert Wright at VPI

• Fast and fairly accurate pH and EC status–EC in the 0.5 to 1.5 range during active

growth• Monitoring and recording over time!

3-minute videoUKREC YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGIOAaiZ0s4&list=PLBB4CD63DB2B55BB1

Testing EC

• Different Procedure = Different Results• The same medium would show:

1:2 SME Pour Through0.25 0.75 1.0

pH and EC Meters

Hanna Instruments HI 98129mS/cm

HI 9811-5Portable pH/EC/TDS/Temperature

Nutrient Analysis

• Foliar analysis– Foliar analysis provides measure of

actual nutrient concentration of plant tissue

– Problem: Often only very general guidelines are available for “optimal” nutrients concentrations

– Concentrations can vary by: age of plant, leaf position, time of year

Nutrient Analysis

• Commercial Laboratory, such as:

Waters Agricultural Laboratories, Inc.Owensboro, KYwww.watersag.com/Owensboro.htm

Questions?

media and water testing

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completed form

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form completedcounty

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