Build a Hydroponic Culture System

Horticulture and the Science of Plants
2005 Horticulture Youth Adventure Program
David Wm. Reed, Instructor
Department of Horticultural  Sciences
Texas A&M University

Set-Up Hydroponic Experiment
in the morning the class set up a Hydroponic experiment in a aquaculture ecosystem.  The objective was to determine the best fertilizers to use.  There were 4 fertilizer treatments: 1) control, 2) Hoagland's Nutrient Solution, 3) Scotts 15-16-17, and 4) Peters 20-10-20.  The plants used were lima beans and basil.  The students collect initial data on plant size and measured water quality of the hydroponic solutions.
weigh
Taylor weighs-out Hoaglands chemicals, while Becca, Cristina and Ariana help.
 weigh
Molly and others weigh-out chemicals.
pipet
Cathyrn and Nikki pipet micronutrient stock solutions.
 add stock
Saran and Katie add iron stock solution to the hydroponic trays.


mix
Molly dissolves the nutrients in the hydroponic trays, while Jerome, Taylor and Jo help.
 ECpH
Katie measures electrical conductivity and pH of the nutrient solutions to monitor solution water quality.

Students Collect Final Data on Hydroponic Experiment
data
The students record their data on the board.
control
Control plants
 Hoaglands
Plants in Hoaglands Nutrient Solution.  This is the best treatment.
Scotts 15-16-17
Plants in the Scotts 15-16-17 fertilizer solution.
 Peters 20-10-20
Plants in the Peters 20-10-20 fertilizer solution.

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