managing water quality in growing media

Managing Water Quality Managing Water Quality in Growing Mediain Growing Media

Managing Water Quality Managing Water Quality in Growing Mediain Growing Media

David Wm. ReedDavid Wm. ReedDepartment of Horticultural SciencesDepartment of Horticultural Sciences

Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University

Factors That Impact Water Quality in Growing MediaFactors That Impact Water Quality in Growing Media

Factors That Impact Water Quality in GrowingFactors That Impact Water Quality in Growing Media Media

Factors That Impact Water Factors That Impact Water Quality in Growing MediaQuality in Growing Media

Factors That Impact Water Factors That Impact Water Quality in Growing MediaQuality in Growing Media

Irrigation Water QualityIrrigation Water Quality

Irrigation Water QualityIrrigation Water QualityIrrigation Water QualityIrrigation Water Quality Chemical PropertiesChemical Properties

pHpH alkalinityalkalinity ECEC SARSAR

Individual Soluble SaltsIndividual Soluble Salts Water Treatment MethodsWater Treatment Methods

Growing Medium EC and pHGrowing Medium EC and pH

(from Lang 1996)(from Lang 1996)

SaturatedSaturated

PastePaste

1:21:2

DilutionDilution

PourPour

ThroughThrough

pHpH

All PlantsAll Plants 5.5-6.55.5-6.5 5.5-6.55.5-6.5 5.5-6.55.5-6.5

EC dS/mEC dS/m

Young PlantsYoung Plants 1-21-2 0.5-0.90.5-0.9

Established Established PlantsPlants

2-32-3 0.8-1.20.8-1.2 3-53-5

Irrigation Water Alkalinity LimitsIrrigation Water Alkalinity Limits Irrigation Water Alkalinity LimitsIrrigation Water Alkalinity Limits

Minimum MaximumMinimum Maximumppmppm meq/l meq/l ppmppm meq/lmeq/l

Plugs and/or seedlingsPlugs and/or seedlings 3838 0.750.75 6666 1.31.3

Small pots/shallow flatsSmall pots/shallow flats 3838 0.750.75 8686 1.71.7

4" to 5" pots/deep flats4" to 5" pots/deep flats 3838 0.750.75 106106 2.12.1

6” pots/long term crops6” pots/long term crops 6363 1.251.25 131131 2.62.6

(from Bailey 1996)(from Bailey 1996)

Irrigation Water Critical LimitsIrrigation Water Critical Limits

(from Biernbaum 1994)(from Biernbaum 1994)

MinimumMinimum MaximumMaximum

pHpH 5.55.5 7.07.0

EC (dS/m)EC (dS/m) 0.20.2 0.80.8

ppmppm

AlkalinityAlkalinity 4040 160160

CaCa 2525 7575

MgMg 1010 3030

SS 00 4040

NaNa 00 2020

ClCl 00 2020

FeFe 00 11

ZnZn 00 0.50.5

BB 00 0.10.1

CuCu 00 0.10.1

MoMo 00 0.10.1

FF 00 0.10.1

Plant Nutrient Requirements Supplied Plant Nutrient Requirements Supplied by Irrigation Waterby Irrigation Water

NutrientNutrient

Minimum ppmMinimum ppm

To Supply PlantTo Supply Plant

RequirementsRequirements

SS 20-30 ppm20-30 ppm

CaCa 40 ppm40 ppm

MgMg 20 ppm20 ppm

BB 0.3 ppm0.3 ppm

Sulfur Supplied by Irrigation WaterSulfur Supplied by Irrigation Water

(from Reddy 1996)(from Reddy 1996)20-30 ppm supplies most plant’s requirement20-30 ppm supplies most plant’s requirement

Irrigation Water QualityIrrigation Water QualityIrrigation Water QualityIrrigation Water Quality

Water Treatment MethodsWater Treatment Methods

Water Purification MethodsWater Purification Methods

(from Reed 1996)(from Reed 1996)

ReverseReverse

OsmosisOsmosis

WaterWater

SoftenerSoftener

AcidAcid

InjectionInjection

Aeration/Aeration/

OxidationOxidation

ActivatedActivated

Carbon/AlCarbon/Al

AlkalinityAlkalinity

(carbonates)(carbonates)XX XX

Total SaltsTotal Salts XX

SodiumSodium XX XX

ChlorideChloride XX XX

IronIron XX XX XX

BoronBoron XX

FluorideFluoride XX XX

ManganeseManganese XX XX XX

CopperCopper XX XX

CalciumCalcium XX XX

SulfateSulfate XX

Reverse Osmosis UnitReverse Osmosis UnitReverse Osmosis UnitReverse Osmosis Unit

Reverse Osmosis Water Purification To Decrease Salts


Pretreatments:Pretreatments:

1) Polymer injection1) Polymer injection to coagulate due to high SDIto coagulate due to high SDI

2) Depth Filter2) Depth Filter to remove coagulated particlesto remove coagulated particles

3) Charcoal Filter3) Charcoal Filter to remove municipal chlorineto remove municipal chlorine

4) Ion Exchange4) Ion Exchange to remove residual polymerto remove residual polymer

Purification System:Purification System:

Reverse OsmosisReverse Osmosis using polyamide membranesusing polyamide membranes

(pH resistant, chlorine sensitive)(pH resistant, chlorine sensitive)

Production CapacityProduction Capacity

Purified Water Purified Water 5,760 gallons per day5,760 gallons per day

Blended Water (40/60)Blended Water (40/60) 14,400 gallons per day 14,400 gallons per day

Blend to EC ofBlend to EC of 0.75 dS/m (approx. 500 ppm)0.75 dS/m (approx. 500 ppm) (from Reed 1996)(from Reed 1996)



CostsCosts

Lease and ServiceLease and Service $900 per month$900 per month

Water (1.09/1,000)Water (1.09/1,000) $700 per month$700 per month

ElectricityElectricity $200 per month$200 per month

TotalTotal $1800 per month$1800 per month

Purified Water CostPurified Water Cost 1 cent per gallon1 cent per gallon

Blended Water CostsBlended Water Costs 0.4 cents per gallon0.4 cents per gallon

Production Space IrrigatedProduction Space Irrigated

80,000 to 135,000 square foot of 6-inch production space80,000 to 135,000 square foot of 6-inch production space

(at 12-20 oz/6”pot/day at 0.9 sq. ft. space/6”pot)(at 12-20 oz/6”pot/day at 0.9 sq. ft. space/6”pot)

Purified Water Used ForPurified Water Used For

Salt sensitive foliage plants and mist propagationSalt sensitive foliage plants and mist propagation (from Reed 1996)(from Reed 1996)

Acid InjectionAcid Injection80% Neutralization to Approx. pH 5.880% Neutralization to Approx. pH 5.8

Acid InjectionAcid Injection80% Neutralization to Approx. pH 5.880% Neutralization to Approx. pH 5.8

Fluid ounce of acid Fluid ounce of acid ppm ppm

per 1,000 of water,per 1,000 of water, per oz. perper oz. per

for each meqfor each meq 1,000 gal1,000 gal

AcidAcid of alkalinityof alkalinity waterwaterNitric (67%)Nitric (67%) 6.786.78 1.64 N1.64 N

Phosphoric (75%)Phosphoric (75%) 8.308.30 2.88 P2.88 P

Sulfuric (35%)Sulfuric (35%) 11.0011.00 1.14 S1.14 S

(from Bailey 1996)(from Bailey 1996)

Fertilizer ProgramFertilizer ProgramFertilizer ProgramFertilizer Program Soluble Liquid FeedSoluble Liquid Feed Granular IncorporationGranular Incorporation Controlled Release IncorporationControlled Release Incorporation

EC of Soluble Fertilizers & Water QualityEC of Soluble Fertilizers & Water Quality

(from Peterson 1996)(from Peterson 1996)

Fertility & Salt Stratification in the Root ZoneFertility & Salt Stratification in the Root ZoneSubirrigation – New Guinea Impatiens ‘Barbados’Subirrigation – New Guinea Impatiens ‘Barbados’

(from Kent & Reed 1996)(from Kent & Reed 1996)

Irrigation MethodIrrigation MethodIrrigation MethodIrrigation Method Top-Watering vs. SubirrigationTop-Watering vs. Subirrigation Vertical Stratification of SaltsVertical Stratification of Salts Evaporation from SurfaceEvaporation from Surface Leaching FractionLeaching Fraction

Vertical Stratification of Soluble SaltsVertical Stratification of Soluble Salts

Salt Stratification in the Root Zone with Different Salt Stratification in the Root Zone with Different Irrigation MethodsIrrigation Methods

(from Molitor, 1990, Warncke & Krauskopf 1983)(from Molitor, 1990, Warncke & Krauskopf 1983)

Evaporation from SurfaceEvaporation from Surface

Causes Vertical Stratification of SaltsCauses Vertical Stratification of Salts

(from Argo and Biernbaum 1995(from Argo and Biernbaum 1995Warncke & Krauskopf 1983)Warncke & Krauskopf 1983)

Effect of Evaporation on Salt StratificationEffect of Evaporation on Salt StratificationPoinsettia ‘Gutbier V-14 Glory’Poinsettia ‘Gutbier V-14 Glory’

Effect of Evaporation on Salt StratificationEffect of Evaporation on Salt StratificationPoinsettia ‘Gutbier V-14 Glory’Poinsettia ‘Gutbier V-14 Glory’

(from Argo and Biernbaum 1995(from Argo and Biernbaum 1995Warncke & Krauskopf 1983)Warncke & Krauskopf 1983)

Vertical Stratification of Soluble SaltsVertical Stratification of Soluble Salts

andand

Root DistributionRoot Distribution

Salt Stratification & Root DistributionSalt Stratification & Root Distribution

Spathiphyllum in subirrigationSpathiphyllum in subirrigation

(from Kent & Reed, unpubl; (from Kent & Reed, unpubl; Warncke & Krauskopf 1983)Warncke & Krauskopf 1983)

Track EC to MonitorTrack EC to Monitor Soluble Salt AccumulationSoluble Salt Accumulation Over FertilizationOver Fertilization Minimum Fertility LevelMinimum Fertility Level

Caution:Caution: DO NOT sample the top layer DO NOT sample the top layer

Graphical Tracking: ECGraphical Tracking: EC

Crop: ______________________

Leaching FractionLeaching Fraction

andand

Soluble Salt AccumulationSoluble Salt Accumulation

Leaching in Top-Watering Vs. SubirrigationLeaching in Top-Watering Vs. Subirrigation

Leaching Fraction in Top-WateringLeaching Fraction in Top-Watering

LF ~ 0.3-0.4LF ~ 0.3-0.4Low LFLow LF High LFHigh LF

LF LF EC ECww / (5(EC / (5(ECee(desired)(desired)-EC-ECww))))

Effect of Leaching Fraction on Medium ECEffect of Leaching Fraction on Medium EC

Poinsettia ‘V-14 Glory’Poinsettia ‘V-14 Glory’

(from Yelanich and Biernbaum 1993,(from Yelanich and Biernbaum 1993,Warncke & Krauskopf 1983)Warncke & Krauskopf 1983)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

ECdS/msat.ext.

2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Week

0.55 LF0.55 LF

0.35 LF0.35 LF

0.15 LF0.15 LF

0 LF0 LF

Top Layer Salts and Wilting Upon IrrigationTop Layer Salts and Wilting Upon IrrigationEspecially Critical in SubirrigationEspecially Critical in Subirrigation

(from Todd & Reed 1998)(from Todd & Reed 1998)

Leaching & Salt Removal From MediaLeaching & Salt Removal From MediaNew Guinea Impatiens ‘Blazon’ in SubirrigationNew Guinea Impatiens ‘Blazon’ in Subirrigation


1 2 3 4 5 6 0 2 4 6 8 10 14 180

5

10

15

20

ECdS/m

Times LeachedmM CaCl2 + NaCl

Determination of Determination of Soluble Salt Toxicity LimitsSoluble Salt Toxicity Limits

““Shoot Gun” ApproachShoot Gun” Approach

Plant Response to 24 Texas Water SourcesPlant Response to 24 Texas Water Sources

(from Kent & Reed unpubl)(from Kent & Reed unpubl)

1.11.1

1.01.0

1.21.2

0.40.40.20.20.50.5

0.10.10.50.50.80.8

0.10.1

0.90.9 0.30.3

0.80.8

0.70.70.30.3

0.20.20.50.5

Growth Versus EC with 24 Water SourcesGrowth Versus EC with 24 Water SourcesVinca ‘Apricot Delight’ Grown in SubirrigationVinca ‘Apricot Delight’ Grown in Subirrigation



Growth Versus Na + Cl with 24 Water SourcesGrowth Versus Na + Cl with 24 Water SourcesVinca ‘Apricot Delight’ Grown in SubirrigationVinca ‘Apricot Delight’ Grown in Subirrigation


Studies on Individual SaltsStudies on Individual Salts(cation + anion combinations)(cation + anion combinations)

Chrysanthemum

Rose 0 mM 2.5 mM

0 mM

5 mM

7.5 mM 10 mM

2.5 mM 5 mM

7.5 mM 10 mM

Toxicity Limits to Sodium BicarbonateToxicity Limits to Sodium Bicarbonate

(from Valdez, PhD)(from Valdez, PhD)

RoseRose MumMum VincaVincaHibiscus Hibiscus ‘Mango ‘Mango Breeze’Breeze’

Hibiscus Hibiscus

‘‘Bimini Bimini Breeze’Breeze’

SPAD SPAD Index Index

decreasedecreasePredicted mPredicted mMM NaHCONaHCO33

10%10% 0.80.8 3.23.2 6.06.0 2.12.1 4.24.2

20%20% 1.71.7 4.84.8 7.47.4 4.24.2 8.58.5

30%30% 2.82.8 6.16.1 8.48.4 6.36.3 12.712.7

40%40% 4.24.2 7.27.2 9.39.3 8.48.4 16.816.8

Predicted NaHCOPredicted NaHCO33 Toxicity Limit as a Toxicity Limit as aFunction of Chlorosis Function of Chlorosis



Studies on Individual SaltsStudies on Individual Salts(cation + anion combinations)(cation + anion combinations)

Problem With This ApproachProblem With This ApproachDo not know if the effect is due to the Do not know if the effect is due to the

cation or the anioncation or the anion


Separation of Anion and Cation Separation of Anion and Cation Effects Using Mixture ExperimentsEffects Using Mixture Experiments

½:0:½

Y0:1:0

X1:0:0

Z0:0:1

½:½:0

0:½:½

2/3:1/6:1/6

1/6:2/3:1/6 1/6:1/6:2/3

1/3:1/3:1/3

Pure blends

Tertiary blends

Centroid

Binary blends

Mixture ExperimentMixture ExperimentDesignDesign

Rb+7.5mM

K+ 0 mM

Na+7.5mM Na+ 0 mM

2.5

3.5

4.5

5.5

Rb+ 0 mM

K+ 7.5mM

Mixture-Amount Experiments to Separate the

Na+ and HCO3- Effect in Sodium

Bicarbonate

Mixture-Amount Experiments to Separate the


BicarbonateNa+ tox./K+ def.=-19%

HCO3- effect=-15%

Sh

oot

Dry

M

ass (

g)


0 mM HCO30 mM HCO3

7.5 mM HCO37.5 mM HCO3

0.00 1.00

0.25 0.75

0.50 0.50

0.75 0.25

1.00 0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

2.5 HCO3-

2.5 mM total binary 2.5 mM total binary mixturemixture

0 HCO3-

Proportion of K+ and Na+

Na+=-19%

HCO3-=-19%

Sh

oot

Dry

M

ass (

g)

Na+

K+

Binary Mixture Experiments to Separate the


Bicarbonate

Binary Mixture Experiments to Separate the


Bicarbonate


Mixture-Amount Experiments To Separate Mixture-Amount Experiments To Separate Chloride, Bicarbonate and Sulfate EffectsChloride, Bicarbonate and Sulfate Effects


Separation of Chloride, Bicarbonate and Sulfate Effects Separation of Chloride, Bicarbonate and Sulfate Effects with Mixture-Amount Experimentswith Mixture-Amount Experiments

30 meq/l30 meq/l 45 meq/l45 meq/l 60 meq/l60 meq/l

Vinca ‘Pacifica Red’ in SubirrigationVinca ‘Pacifica Red’ in Subirrigation

HCOHCO33 HCO3HCO3HCO3HCO3

ClCl ClCl ClClSOSO44 SOSO44

SOSO44

Cation = NaCation = Na Cation = NaCation = Na Cation = NaCation = Na


Mixture-Amount Experiments To Separate Mixture-Amount Experiments To Separate Chloride, Bicarbonate and Sulfate EffectsChloride, Bicarbonate and Sulfate Effects

30 meq/l30 meq/l(1,700 to 2,500 ppm)(1,700 to 2,500 ppm)



Vinca ‘Pacifica Red’ in SubirrigationVinca ‘Pacifica Red’ in Subirrigation

HCOHCO33 HCO3HCO3HCO3HCO3

ClCl ClCl ClClSOSO44 SOSO44

SOSO44

Cation = NaCation = Na Cation = NaCation = Na Cation = NaCation = Na


ThanksThanksThanksThanks

0

1

2

3

4

0 100 200 300 400

Soluble Fertilizer ppm N

EC

dS/

m20-20-2015-10-30

EC of Soluble Fertilizers & Water QualityEC of Soluble Fertilizers & Water Quality

Rb+7.5mM

K+ 0 mM

Na+7.5mM Na+ 0 mM

2.5

3.5

4.5

5.5

Rb+ 0 mM

K+ 7.5mM

HCO3- effect=-15%

Na+ tox./K+ def.=-19%

Separation of Sodium and Bicarbonate Effect Separation of Sodium and Bicarbonate Effect Using Mixture ExperimentsUsing Mixture Experiments

(from Valdez, (from Valdez, Ph.D. dissertation)Ph.D. dissertation)

ggshootshootmassmass

Leaching & Salt Removal From MediaLeaching & Salt Removal From MediaNew Guinea Impatiens ‘Illusion’ in SubirrigationNew Guinea Impatiens ‘Illusion’ in Subirrigation


1 2 3 4 5 6 0 2 4 6 8 10 14 180

5

10

15

20

EC dS/m

Times Leached mM CaCl2 + NaCl

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