Nutrient Imbalance

Nate Storey has done it again!

Figuring out nutrient imbalance is in my opinion the most difficult thing about aquaponics.  Nate really lays it out in an easy to understand method for us to determine a course of action when our plants begin to look a bit peeked. I would post the link  to the KEY he has developed for diagnosing these problems right here, but I feel that you should go to Nates site and find his offer.   When asked to register just do it.  You will be pleasantly surprised.

Videos by Nates

Phoshorus
Iron
Calcium
Potassium


Below is another article that may interest you.
My Quest for Natural Macro and Micro-nutrients

Continue reading

Nutrient Deficiency

Guide to Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms

If this topic fascinates you I highly recommend these links
This first link is particularly good about describing interactions and in depth pathology. Read this when you have time to absorb and comprehend the information presented. 
Plant Physiology - Chapter 5 -Mineral Nutrition 
 Blue Planet has done a good job of presenting photos for identification, and present quick reference to nutrient interactions. 
Blue Planet Nutrients 


The best site I know of for pictures of nutrient deficiencies is
http://customers.hbci.com/~wenonah/min-def/list.htm

Calcium deficiency - Blossom end rot

How to make a water soluble calcium

Phosphorous deficiency

Potassium deficiency

Sulfur deficiency

From http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/deficiency_by_element.asp

From: http://www.breedbay.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Soil_PH_chart.jpg

From: http://www.organicfertilizer.in/micronutrients.htm

From http://www.hydroponics-at-home.com/plant-nutrient-deficiency.html

From http://www.hydroponics-at-home.com/hydroponics-information.html

Hollow stem in broccoli is related to boron deficiency.

 Nutrient Antagonism and Interaction

GrowOrganic Peaceful Valley has a good http://youtu.be/CLFbwByeb9k

I found this conversation interesting.  Alan from BioNutrient.Org talks about soil building and how soil health effects our health.
Alan Chartockin Conversation with Dan Kittredge

Continue reading

Nutrient Gems

Ive recently read a couple articles about nutrients Id like to share with you.


This first site is Clemson University.  A research university located in Clemson, South Carolina.
This university site is full of interesting research.  Go to http://www.clemson.edu/search/index.htm and enter words like micronutrient or DTPA for information you are looking for.  

This paper from Clemson describes the deficiency or toxicity of various plant nutrients due to low soil pH
http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~blpprt/acid1.html
http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~blpprt/acid2.html
http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~blpprt/acid3.html

Another paper at Clemson University describes the process by which DTPA is extracted for micronutrients
DTPA Extraction for Micronutrients
I dont know what ICP stands for, but I think it might be (inductively coupled plasma)
I wondered where one would find the chemicals and found Chemical Reagent.com

                                            ---------------------------- ( ) ----------------------------


Nate Storie has been making a series of videos.  This link is about understanding iron in aquaponics.  While you may not be growing with aquaponics the topic is informative for soil gardeners as well

http://verticalfoodblog.com/iron-in-aquaponics.  


Nate does not get real technical in his presentation which is probably good because the chemistry is a bit difficult, but you may run across some different forms of iron and want to know what the abbreviations stand for. 
DTPA is Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid
EDDHA is ethylenediamine-di(o-hydroxyphenylacetiz) acid
EDTA is Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

Basically the first two are what you want.  EDDHA is best for pH over 7, but its more expensive.  

Continue reading