Hydroponic Food Production: A Definitive Guidebook for the Advanced Home Gardener and the Commercial Hydroponic Grower, Seventh Edition (Hardcover, 7)

Introduction
The Past
The Present
The Future
Suitable Site Characteristics
Soil versus Soilless Culture
References

Plant Nutrition
Plant Constituents
Mineral and Essential Elements
Plant Mineral and Water Uptake
Upward Movement of Water and Nutrients
Plant Nutrition
References

Nutrient Solution
Inorganic Salts (Fertilizers)
Recommended Compounds for Complete Nutrient Solutions
Fertilizer Chemical Analyses
Fertilizer Impurities
Nutrient Formulations
Nutrient Stock Solutions
Preparing the Nutrient Solution
Plant Relations and Cause of Nutrient Solution Changes

The Medium
Medium Characteristics
Water Characteristics
Irrigation
Pumping of Nutrient Solution into Beds
Sterilization of Medium
References

Water Culture
Introduction
Raceway, Raft, or Floating System
Aeroponics
Hydroponic Grass Units
Alfalfa and Bean Sprouts
Microgreens
References

Nutrient Film Technique
Introduction
Early NFT System
Later NFT Systems
Commercial NFT Systems
Nutrient Flow Technique: Vertical Pipes, A-Frame, or Cascade Systems
Gutter and Pipe NFT Channel Systems
Agri-Systems NFT
Hortiplan Automated NFT System
Outdoor NFT Watercress
Ebb-and-Flow (Flood) Systems
A-Frame NFT System
Summary
References

Gravel Culture
Introduction
Media Characteristics
Subirrigation Gravel Culture
Trickle Irrigation Design
Advantages and Disadvantages of Trickle Irrigation
Sterilization of Gravel between Crops
Advantages and Disadvantages of Gravel Culture
References

Sand Culture
Introduction
Medium Characteristics
Structural Details
Drip (Trickle) Irrigation System
Watering
Sterilization of Sand Beds between Crops
Sand Culture of Herbs
Advantages and Disadvantages of Sand Culture
References

Sawdust Culture
Introduction
Growing Medium
Bed System
Bag System
Nutrient Solution Distribution System
Advantages and Disadvantages of Sawdust Culture
References

Rockwool Culture
Introduction
North American Greenhouse Vegetable Industry
World Greenhouse Vegetable Industry
Rockwool Composition
Rockwool Cubes and Blocks
Rockwool Slabs
Rockwool Layout
Irrigation System
Cucumbers in Rockwool
Tomatoes in Rockwool
Large Greenhouse Operations in North America
Harvesting, Grading, and Packing
Peppers in Rockwool
Recirculating Rockwool Systems
Advantages and Disadvantages of Rockwool Culture
References

Coco Coir Culture
Introduction
Source of Coco Coir
Coco Coir Grades and Characteristics
Coco Plugs and Blocks
Sustainable Agriculture Greenhouse Technology
Tomatoes in Coco Coir
Advantages and Disadvantages of Coco Coir Culture
References

Other Soilless Cultures
Introduction
Media
Hydroponic Herbs
Foam Culture
Perlite Culture
Column Culture
Sack Culture
Sterilization of Medium
Advantages and Disadvantages of Peat and Coco Coir Mixtures
References

Tropical Hydroponics and Special Applications
Introduction
Hidroponias Venezolanas
Sand Culture in the Tropics
Ebb-and-Flood Water Culture of Watercress
Rice Hulls?Coco Coir Culture of Tomatoes, Peppers, and Cucumbers Special Applications References

Plant Culture
Introduction
Seeding
Seedling Production
Plant-Growing Temperature
Light
Relative Humidity and Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD)
Carbon Dioxide Enrichment
Transplanting
Spacing
Vegetative versus Generative Growth
Irrigation (Fertigation)
Plant Support
Suckering and Training (Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers, and Eggplants)
Pollination
Physiological Disorders
Diseases and Insects
Vegetable Varieties
Green Grafting
Planting Schedules
Crop Termination
Special Considerations
References

Appendix 1: Horticultural, Hydroponic, and Soilless-Culture Societies

Appendix 2: Greenhouse Production Resources
Research Extension Services for Publications
Some Soil and Plant-Tissue Testing Laboratories
Biological-Control Agents
References
Special Hydroponic Equipment

Appendix 3: Units of Measurement?Conversion Factors

Appendix 4: Physical Constants of Inorganic Compounds

Appendix 5: Greenhouse and Hydroponic Suppliers
Biocontrol Agents
Greenhouse Structures, Coverings and Equipment
Greenhouse Shading Materials
Growing Media and Supplies
Irrigation Equipment
Seeds
Sprout Supplies

Bibliography
Hydroponics
Insect and Disease Control
Professional Publications and Research Journals
Trade Magazines and Periodicals