Introduction
Introduction
Hydroponics defined
Is hydroponics a science?
Hydroponic terminology
Historical past
The future of hydroponics
Hydroponic practice and the art of hydroponics
Value of the hydroponic method
Internet
Units of measure
Abbreviations
How plants grow
Introduction
Photosynthesis
Soil fertility factors
The plant root
Water content and uptake
Ion uptake
Root surface chemistry
The essential plant nutrient elements
Introduction
Terminology
Criteria for essentiality
The major elements
The micronutrients
Content in plants
Function in plants
Forms of utilization
The beneficial elements
Element substitution
Visual plant symptoms of elemental deficiency or excess
The nutrient solution
Introduction
Water quality
Water pH
Water and nutrient solution filtering and sterilization
Weights and measures
Nutrient solution reagents
Nutrient solution formulations
General purpose/use formulations
Plant species requirement adjustments of the nutrient solution
Nutrient solution control
Methods and timing of nutrient solution delivery
Constancy
Programmable controllers
Summary
Rooting media
Introduction
Perlite
Rockwool
Coir
Elemental content of perlite, rockwool, and coir
Systems of hydroponic culture
Introduction
Mediumless hydroponic systems
Rooting medium hydroponic systems
Hydroponic application factors
Introduction
Progressive developments
Nutrient solution formulations and their use
Cultivar/variety availability and selection
Constancy
Grower skill and competence
Factors for success
Controlled-environment agriculture
Outdoor hydroponics
Home gardener/hobby hydroponic grower
Educational role
Introduction
Demonstration project
Nutrient element deficiency experiments
References
Hydroponic reference books
Cited References
Appendix A: Measurement factors
Appendix B: Essential element summarization tables
Appendix C: Diagnostic testing
Appendix D: Common errors made when plants are grown hydroponically
Index
Biography
J. Benton Jones, Jr. , earned a BS degree in agricultural science from the University of Illinois and obtained MS and PhD degrees in agronomy from the Pennsylvania State University. He has written extensively on hydroponic topics and has been engaged in hydroponic research projects for much of his professional career. Dr. Jones is considered an authority on applied plant physiology and the use of analytical methods for assessing the nutrient element status of rooting media and plants as a means for ensuring plant nutrient element sufficiency in both soil and soilless crop production settings. At various times, he has served as a director of several university and commercial soil and plant analysis laboratories, and he still serves as an advisor for two such laboratories.
