The importance of water quality in hydroponics
Hydroponic cultivation provides many benefits to the producer, such as higher productivity and plant quality, efficient use of water, year-round cultivation and better work ergonomics.
However, since it is a technique where the plant receives nutrients through the nutrient solution, water quality is of great importance for plant development. This is because the minerals are dissolved in the water, forming the nutrient solution.
In this post, we are going to talk a little about what factors affect the water quality for hydroponic cultivation. Check it out!
Attention to water quality and origin
The water quality directly influences the development of hydroponic plants and the better the water, the less nutritional problems and diseases will occur during the cultivation cycle.
Therefore, when starting a hydroponic system, it is advisable to carry out a chemical analysis of the water to ascertain the salinity and amount of nutrients present. In addition, the analysis can recognize the presence of fertilizers or pathogenic coliforms that can harm plant development in hydroponics.
Some parameters must be analyzed, such as the presence of carbonates, sulfates, sodium, calcium, iron, magnesium and other micronutrients. The physical and chemical characteristics of water can vary depending on the region, but there are parameters that can interfere with the quality of the nutrient solution. For example, water with sodium chloride (NaCl) higher than 50ppm (50g/1000l) will present toxicity problems and can prevent its use in hydroponics.
Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the origin of the water. For hydroponic cultivation, the use of potable water from an artesian well or collected rainwater is recommended.
Parameters for analyzing water quality
Other factors must be taken into account to ensure that the water is suitable for hydroponic cultivation, such as the temperature, which must be maintained at an average of 25°C and may not exceed 28°C.
It is also necessary to pay attention to the oxygen level, which is linked to temperature, because the colder the water, the greater the oxygenation. However, extra care is required, as too much cold can be harmful to plants. This temperature and oxygenation monitoring must be done daily, as oxygenation, as well as the proper pH, ensures that the plants absorb nutrients correctly.
The importance of PH in hydroponics
Another factor that producers need to pay attention to is the PH factor, which is one of the main reasons the plants achieve optimal growth.
PH is the “Potential Hydrogen”, which is a measure of the level of alkalinity and acidity of a water solution. It is measured on a scale of 1 to 14, where the bottom half (1 to 6) is acidic, and the top half (8 to 14) is alkaline. Pure water has a pH of 7.
As nutrients are absorbed by plant roots in hydroponics, the PH of the nutrient solution needs to be balanced so that the nutrients are properly absorbed.
The ideal pH in hydroponics varies between 5.5 and 6.5, depending on the type of crop and the plant. This pH range is ideal for better absorption of micronutrients and macronutrients, such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, ensuring good growing conditions for the plants.
