Panduan Pertanian Berketepatan Tinggi

Video Panduan Aquaponik

2009-01-02T15:50:00.000-08:00

Pemasangan Set-Up Fertigasi

2008-12-10T16:25:00.000-08:00

Pada 29hb November 2008, saya & rakan partner saya en. Jamal telah sama-sama membantu proses pemasangan set-up fertigasi 4 lot kecil dengan 2 set pengairan titis yang mengandungi 120 point untuk client kami, En. Abd Razak di Parit Bunga, Muar, Johor. Semuanya berjalan lancar dan En. Razak pun nampaknya berpuas hati. Set-up tersebut dipasang di sebuah tapak tanah yang baru dilapangkan berhampiran dengan rumahnya yang juga terdapat kilang mee siput yang baru diusahakannya dalam setahun yang lalu. Jika diperhatikan dari gambar2 di bawah, kami tidak memasang alas Silvershine. Ini adalah kerana penyediaan tapak oleh beliau tidak begitu sempurna (tanahnya tidak diratakan dengan baik, banyak lopak air dan bonggolan batu & tanah serta topografi yang tidak rata. Ini akan merosakkan alas tersebut dan mengakibatkan pengairan yang tidak sekata serta risiko air baja disedut oleh faktor graviti walaupun pam telah berhenti). Walaubagaimanapun, kami telah membekalkan beliau dengan alas tersebut dan memintanya meratakan perlahan-lahan dan setelah itu memasangnya. Beliau telah menyatakan cadangan untuk mengusahakan kedua-dua projek ini secara sepenuh masa dan ingin menambahkan jumlah point pokok kepada set yang sedia ada. Selain sistem tanaman dan bekalan anak pokok, benih, media semai(peat-moss) & media tanaman (coco-peat), baja dan peralatan lainnya, kami juga membekalkan beliau dengan racun, pam penyembur racun, buku & CD lengkap kaedah Fertigasi selain Kursus Fertigasi secara percuma serta konsultasi dan lawatan dari kami. Beliau telah mengenali kami melalui site promosi kami di http://prod uk2-green-legacy.blogspot.com.

Sistem Hidroponik NFT & EBB/Flow

2008-11-12T17:06:00.000-08:00

Sistem NFT adalah satu sistem Hidroponik yang mempunyai aliran larutan berbaja yang berterusan pada akar tanaman. Sekarang ini, rekabentuk platform takungan sudah jarang digunakan lagi. Sebaliknya sistem ini menggunakan tiub paip UPVC yang bersaiz 90mm. larutan baja disalurkan dari takungan/tangki terus ke setiap tiub menggunakan pam. Ia akan mengalir ke dalam tiub dan larutan akan disalurkan kembali ke tangki dari hujung tiub tersebut dan dikitar semula. Rajah di bawah menunjukkan model asas sistem ini.
Kebaikan sistem ini ialah kadar pertumbuhan pokok adalah tinggi dan juga menjimatkan baja dan air. Akan tetapi sistem ini juga ada keburukannya. Jika aliran air terlalu deras, kotoran atau akar-akar halus yang terlepas akan menyumbat seluruh sistem dan boleh menyebabkan kematian pokok. Ini dapat dielakkan dengan menapis air laruran yang masuk semula ke dalam tangki baja.
Sistem EBB-Flood & Drain pula agak berbeza sedikit kerana air larutan yang disalurkan ke tiub dibenarkan bertakung sehingga ke paras akar tanaman. lebihan air akan dikumpulkan dan disalurkan semula ke tangki baja untuk dikitar semula. Kaedah ini sangat sesaui untuk tanaman sayur berdaun. Rajah di bawah menunjukkan rekabentuk sistem ini

AMALAN PENANAMAN UMUM - Melatih Tanaman & Cantasan / GENERAL CULTURAL PRACTICES - Training & Pruning

2008-08-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

TRAINING AND PRUNING

In general greenhouse crops (tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers) are indeterminant (vining) types to take advantage of the vertical volume of the greenhouse.
*The plant vines are supported on vine twine by vine clips. The twine is wrapped around some sort of device from which it can be unwound (tomahook, bobbin, etc.). Plants are trained up the twine to the wires forming a “V” shape. As the plants grow up to the overhead support wire, the twine is unwound, the plants lowered and shifted one space – “LEANED AND LOWERED”.

Tomato vines should not be lowered more than 2 feet at a time OR another good way to tell, DO NOT lower the vine such that an 80 or higher degree bend is created in the vine near the floor. High angles promote stem cracking.
*Plants are trained to 1-3 stems by removing (pruning) side shoots or “suckers”. Tomatoes are trained to 1 stem (or 2 stems to replace a topped or broken neighbour or during a season of high light, i.e., Spring or early Summer).
Peppers are usually trained to 2 or 3 stems. Their stems are much more brittle than tomatoes and tend to snap if they are leaned and lowered. Cucumbers have traditionally been trained using such methods as the “V-cordon” or “umbrella”. However, they can also be trained to 1 stem like tomatoes.

*Side shoots or suckers are so named because they suck nutrients from the main plant. The process of removing suckers = “sucker pruning” or “suckering”.

*NEVER PRUNE SIDE SHOOTS WITHIN 2 INCHES OF THE TOP! It is too easy to remove the APICAL MERISTEM, the top growing point. If the apical meristem is removed or damaged (the plant is “topped”), a lower side shoot or even a sucker from a neighboring plant will need to be allowed to grow and take over as the apical meristem. This will take time and this plant will now be behind the others. Therefore, STUDY the top of the plant carefully, DETERMINE the location of the apical meristem, MOVE 2 inches down, THEN begin pruning!
*Extra growths may also occur on fruit clusters. These should be removed.
*Leaves: As the plants grow old leaves furthest from the apical meristem will begin to age or senesce = yellow spots appear due to the loss of chlorophyll. These leaves are no longer contributing as much to photosynthesis. These leaves should be removed – usually 3 leaves once a week. This is about the usual number of leaves that appear at the meristem per week.
The first three leaves will be removed when the plants reach 4-6 feet.
Leaves should be removed in the morning when the plants are “turgid” (full of water) so that they break off crisply. Leaves should be removed at the stem-petiole abscission zone – the bulbous point of attachment of the leaf petiole to the main stem. This abscission zone forms a clean break and seals quickly. If the leaf is “ripped” off, the damaged tissue could provide a point of entry for pathogens.
NOTE: Removing old, lower leaves also allows for air movement around the
lower part of the plant. This reduces humidity that can promote disease.
Also, certain insect pests tend to reproduce on lower leaves. Pruning
reduces their overall populations.

Watch these 2 videos on How To Prune Tomatoes:

Amalan Tanaman Umum - Jarak Pokok & Susun Atur Tanaman / General Cultural Practices - Plant Spacing & Crop Layout

2008-08-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

Jarak Tanaman ditentukan oleh 2 faktor berikut:
1) Kehadiran cahaya kepada lindungan - Tanaman mestilah dijarakkan cukup jauh dari sebarang objek untuk mendapat jumlah cahaya yang sampai kepada daunnya semaksima mungkin untuk kadar Fotosintesis yang paling optima.

2) Bekalan air & zat untuk akar - Tanaman mestilah cukup jauh jaraknya untuk mendapatkan bekalan yang cukup untuk kedua - dua bahan ini.

* Jarak tanaman di rumah berpelindung adalah lebih dekat berbanding di atas tanah/batas. Contohnya, Tomato di atas tanah = 4000 - 5000 pokok/ekar
Tomato secara Hidroponik/Fertigasi = 10,000 - 11,000 pokok/ekar
Mengapa? Rumah lindungan berdiameter kecil dan akar tanaman yang ditanam secara hidroponik/fertigasi 'disuap'kan dengan bekalan air/zat yang cukup dan berkala. Oleh itu, tidak perlu mempunyai sistem perakaran yang besar.
Akar tanaman yang ditanam di atas tanah akan berkembang untuk mencari air & zat. Oleh itu pokok yang ditanam di atas tanah mestilah dijarakkan sejauh mungkin untuk mengelakkan persaingan dengan pokok bersebelahan. Oleh itu, pengairan titis/fertigasi membolehkan jarak yang lebih dekat.
*Contoh jarak tanaman Hidroponik:

Tomato = 2.5 – 3 pokok/meter persegi
Lada Benggala = 2.5 – 4 pokok/meter persegi
Timun = 1.25 – 3 pokok/meter persegi
Melon = 2.5 - 3 pokok/meter persegi

Susun atur tanaman di dalam rumah lindungan haruslah pada barisan yang cenderung tepat menghadap ke Utara & Selatan. Ini adalah penting kerana pada waktu siang, Matahari bergerak dari Timur ke Barat dan jika baris tanaman diatur menghadap arah Timur ke Barat, baris yang paling Selatan akan melindungi cahaya kepada baris tanaman di belakangnya.
Seringkali tomato ditanam di baris berkembar yang berjarak 5-6 kaki dengan 3 pokok untuk setiap polibeg 'bantal' (slab) sepanjang 1 meter. yang disusun sebelah menyebelah.

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Plant spacing is determined by two main factors:
1) The availability of light to the canopy - Plants must be far enough apart so that a maximum amount of light reaches the leaves for optimum photosynthesis.
2) The availability of water and nutrients to the roots - Plants must be far enough apart so that all plants have an optimum supply of these items.
*Plant spacing in “vining” greenhouse crops, including tomatoes, is much closer than for field crops.
Example: Field (bush) tomatoes = 4000 – 5000 plants/acre.
Hydroponic greenhouse tomatoes = 10,000 – 11,000 plants/acre.
*Why? A vine has a much smaller diameter than a bush, so they can be closer together and the leaves will still obtain optimum light for photosynthesis. The roots of a plant growing in hydroponics receives all the water and nutrients it requires. They are “spoon-fed” and do not have to grow large systems. The roots of a field grown plant will be more spread out as they search for water and nutrients in the soil matrix. Therefore, field grown plants must be positioned far enough apart to avoid competition of neighboring plants for water or nutrients. NOTE: Drip irrigation allows for closer spacing.
*Typical hydroponic plant spacing:

Tomatoes = 2.5 – 3 plants per square meter
Peppers = 2.5 – 4 plants per square meter
Cucumbers = 1.25 – 3 plants per square meter
Melon = 2.5 - 3 plants per square meter

*The typical layout of the greenhouse for vining vegetable crops is in rows tending approximately north and south. This is important because during the day the sun moves from east to west and if the rows were also set up east to west the southern most rows (in the
northern hemisphere) would shade the rows behind them. Typically, tomatoes are also grown in “double rows”. These double rows are usually 5-6 feet apart. With 3 plants per Rockwool slab (1 meter long each) or perlite bag (about 36”), sets of 2 slabs/bags are placed side by side. With 6 plants per slab/bag a single row of slabs/bags is used. Overhead support wires are set at least 2 feet apart.

Panduan Menyemai Benih Cili

2008-07-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

AMALAN PENANAMAN UMUM - Keadaan Persekitaran / GENERAL CULTURAL PRACTICES : Enviromental Conditions Required

2008-07-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

2) Suhu: Suhu yang optima untuk pertumbuhan tanaman berbeza dari spesis tanaman dan jenis tanaman di dalam spesis yang sama. Contohnya, untuk kebanyakan tanaman jenis tomato, suhu yang paling sesuai untuk pendebungaan dan pembuahan ialah 23-25 C manakala suhu yang paling sesuai untuk penghasilan buah pula ialah 25 C.

3) Kelembapan Relatif (RH): Ia merujuk kepada kandungan air di udara berbanding jumlah air di udara yang boleh 'dipegang' pada suhu tertentu. RH yang terlalu tinggi akan menyebabkan sistem perpeluhan pokok menurun kerana molekul air dalam pokok sukar untuk keluar. Ini akan juga menyebabkan kekurangan zat pada tanaman. Ia juga boleh mengundang penyakit bawaan kulat & hama pada tanaman.

4) Karbon Dioksida: Ianya penting untuk proses Fotosintesis.

5) Kitaran Udara: Ia penting untuk mengelakkan berlakunya udara terperangkap di dalam rumah lindungan yang akan mengakibatkan perubahan suhu (tinggi/rendah) yang sangat ketara dengan udara di sekitarnya.

6) Oksigen: Penting untuk pernafasan. Selalunya tiada masalah untuk bahagian atas pokok mendapat bekalan Oksigen yang mencukupi akan tetapi keadaan media yang terlalu basah/air bertakung dan suhu yang terlalu tinggi akan mengurangkan jumlah oksigen dari akar ke bahagian atas pokok.

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2) TEMPERATURE: The optimum growing temperatures (day and night) vary for different
plant species and different varieties within a species. Eg. for most Tomatoes, germination and post-emergence temperatures = 23-25 C (74-77 F). Production optimum temperatures = 22 C (72 F) day/20C (68 F) night.

3) RELATIVE HUMIDITY (RH): The amount of water in the air compared to the total amount of water that the air can hold at a given temperature. %RH = Amount of water in the air X 100 Amount of water possible at a given temp. As the temperature increases the amount of water that the air can hold increases. When the air is saturated water molecules condense. This causes clouds when at altitude or fog when near the ground. How does this relate to tomato plants growing in a greenhouse? As the RH increases around the leaf (concentration of water molecules outside increases) it makes it more difficult for the water molecules inside the leaf to move out (transpiration) via diffusion (the passive movement of a substance from high to low concentration . Therefore, as the RH increases, transpiration decreases, water and therefore
nutrient movement decrease, and nutrient deficiencies can result. ALSO, as RH increases and transpiration decreases, leaf temperatures often increase, since transpiration is the plant’s way of cooling itself.
Optimum RH range for tomatoes (and most plants) = 55% - 95%. During hot, dry weather, fan and pad cooling adds moisture to the air. On hot, humid days, fan and pad cooling adds moisture but does not cool as well. During cool, damp weather, RH inside the greenhouse can approach 95%.

4) CARBON DIOXIDE: As mentioned earlier, carbon dioxide is critical for photosynthesis and enrichment is most important during the Winter on cold mornings. Outside ambient levels are around 330 ppm, part per million, (higher in cities due to industrial exhaust products). Enrichment = 800 to 1000 ppm.

5) AIR CIRCULATIONS: This avoids pockets of high or low temperature, humidity or carbon dioxide. This also reduces the BOUNDARY LAYER (the physical “still air” layer around
the leaf) so that proper gas exchange and transpiration can occur. When cooling fans are off use HAF (horizontal air flow) fans in the upper part of the greenhouse.

6) OXYGEN: All parts of the plant require oxygen for respiration. There is usually no problem supplying the top part of the plant with enough. But waterlogging and high temps. will inhibit oxygen movement to the roots.

AMALAN PENANAMAN UMUM - Faktor Keadaan Persekitaran / GENERAL CULTURAL PRACTICES - Environment Conditions Required

2008-06-13T06:36:00.000-07:00

Faktor-faktor ini merangkumi 1) Cahaya 2) Suhu 3) Kelembapan Relatif (RH) 4) KarbonDioksida 5) Kitaran Udara dan 6) Oksigen
Kita akan mulakan dengan faktor Cahaya dahulu.

1) Cahaya: 2 faktor yang penting dan boleh dipengaruhi oleh struktur rumah berpelindung terhadap tanaman di dalamnya ialah:

Kualiti: Ia merujuk kepada gelombang cahaya tersebut (sebagaiman yang disebutkan tentang cahaya spektrum di dalam matapelajaran Fizik iaitu faktor PAR ( Aktif radiasi untuk Fotosintesis ) iaitu biru, kuning, oren & merah.
Kuantiti: Ia dipengaruhi oleh tempoh lamanya waktu siang dan juga sudut matahari (ia ketara di negara-negara bermusim).

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These factors includes 1) Light 2) Temperature 3) Relative Humidity (RH) 4) Carbon Dioxide 5) Air Circulation and 6) Oxygen. First we will cover - Light: Two factors are important and can be affected by greenhouse structures and coverings . NOTE: Both of these vary with plant species.

Quality: Refers to wavelengths of light. (Remember in physics: light spectrum) Visible light = 390-760 nm: blue at the low end, red at the high end. PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) = between 400 and 700 nm (blue, yellow, orange and red… but not green)NOTE: This varies slightly for each plant species.
Quantity: Is affected by both day length and sun angle (changes with season): Day Length & Sun Angle.

The quantity (amount) of light reaching the Earth’s surface is therefore higher in Summer than it is in Winter.
For tomatoes in the desert southwest or other high light areas:

During the Winter or times of low light the quantity of light available is enough to support 3 – 4 fruit/cluster.
During Spring/Summer/Fall the quantity of light may be too high and shading may be needed. 4 – 5 fruit/cluster is typical.

AMALAN PENANAMAN UMUM - Menyediakan Rumah Lindungan / GENERAL CULTURAL PRACTICES - Greenhouse Preparation

2008-05-25T04:08:00.001-07:00

Perkara2 yang perlu dipertimbangkan sebelum menyediakan rumah lindungan hujan:

* Pilih kawasan atau lokasi yang bersesuaian dengan operasi (lihat post2 12 perkara yang perlu dipertimbangkan untuk memilih lokasi rumah lindungan )
* Pilih struktur rumah lindungan yang bersesuaian (lihat post2 struktur & bahan komponen rumah lindungan )
* Pastikan kesemua peralatan adalah bersih, diservis dan berfungsi secara optimum.
* Untuk kesemua jenis tanaman, perkara-perkara berikut haruslah dipertimbangkan sebelum menanam:

Kemasukan cahaya yang cukup - Pilihlah pelapik atap atau dinding (jika perlu) yang sesuai untuk membenarkan cahaya matahari menembusinya secara optimum. Namun begitu, jika merancang untuk penghasilan sepanjang tahun, gunakan jaring penapis sinaran cahaya (sunshade) pada musim panas terik.
Sistem Penyejukan yang cukup - Samada penyejukan pasif (lubang/ruang udara) atau aktif (kipas) atau kedua-duanya sekali.
Pembekalan gas Karbon Dioksida - Ini hanya selalu digunapakai di negara2 yang mengalami musim dingin.
Pelapik/Pengalas tanah - Selalunya menggunakan bahan plastik putih atau berkilat (juga dipanggil Silvershine Weed Suppressor) digunakan. Ia memantulkan cahaya untuk meningkatkan kadar fotosintesis, memberikan perlindungan pada media tanaman dari patogen2 tanah dan mengawal pertumbuhan rumput./lalang.
Mempermudahkan aktiviti2 pembersihan - Sampah2, daun2 kering dan air yang bertakung adalah habitat yang sesuai untuk serangga perosak & penyakit
Sistem Pengairan/Irigasi Ini termasuklah 1) Alat pengatur masa (Timer) atau 'controller' untuk menetapkan jadual 'fertigasi'. 2) Bekas/takungan/tangki menyimpan air bersih atau larutan baja 3) Injektor 4) Tiub-tiub penyambung/penitis/pengitar larutan baja 5) Alat-alat penyukat pH, EC atau TDS 6) Dawai2 trelis -yang cukup kuat untuk menampung berat pokok untuk membuat ruang-ruang melintang bagi poko di dalam kawasan rumah lindungan.

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Factors To Consider For The Greenhouse Preparation:

*Select a site for the greenhouse that is appropriate for the operation (see posts 12 Things To Consider When Selecting A Greenhouse Site ).
*Select a greenhouse structure that is appropriate for the operation (see posts on Greenhouse Structure).
*Make sure all equipment is cleaned, serviced and working at optimum efficiency.
*For any crop, incl. tomatoes, the following items must be considered prior to planting:

Good light transmission: Choose the proper greenhouse covering and structure. If year-around production is planned, shading must be used in Summer.
Adequate cooling: Either passive (vents), active (fan and pad), or both. Heating is necessary in Winter: NATURAL GAS is the most economical way. (Other, more expensive, methods of heating: propane, oil, electric, solar.)
Carbon dioxide generation: This is especially important for Winter mornings. The sun rises, but it’s cold. So if fans come on, it’s only for a short time. Plants begin to photosynthesize, using up the ambient carbon dioxide to the point where photosynthesis is effected and even reduced.. If photosynthesis is reduced, fruit set is reduced – and that’s $$!
Ground cover: Usually white plastic or a white woven material is put down first. Reflects light back up into the crop increasing photosynthesis. Provides a barrier between the plants and pathogens in the soil. Helps to control weeds.
Allows for ease of cleaning: CLEANLINESS IS PARAMOUNT! Trash, leaf litter, etc. is a perfect habitat for bugs/disease.

Irrigation system: (see posts on Irrigation System for details and diagram) This inlcudes: 1)Timer/controller to regulate the “fertigation” (water + fertilizer) schedule. This will be hard-wired to solenoid valves that open for watering. 2) Reservoirs to contain the nutrient solution (full strength or concentrate). 3) Injectors (if concentrates are used) to dilute the nutrient solution. 4) Distribution tubing/emitters/drainage and/or recycling system. 5)Possibly integrated pH (acid/base) and EC (electrical conductivity) probes. 6) Overhead support wires: These need to be strong enough to support the crop and high enough (8-14 feet) to make use of the vertical space provided.

Amalan Penanaman Umum - Pemilihan Tanaman Dan Kepelbagaian Jenis Tanaman

2008-05-25T04:07:00.002-07:00

Amalan penanaman umum merujuk kepada informasi, teknik & kemahiran yang diperlukan untuk memberikan kejayaan kepada penanaman & mengoptimakan hasil keuntungan - matlamat utama kepada semua para petani

Post kali ini akan menumpukan kepada tanaman Tomato jika dibandingkan dengan tanaman lain untuk menggambarkan kepelbagaian di dalam amalan pernanaman di antara jenis tanaman:

1) Tanaman Dan Pemilihan Kepelbagaian Tanaman - Ini adalah keputusan yang paling penting untuk setiap pengusaha dan ianya bergantung kepada 3 perkara iaitu Pasaran, Lokasi & Pengalaman

Pasaran: 1) Kajian Persekitaran - Ketahui jika ada petani/pengusaha lain di kawasan tersebut - persaingan. Jika telah ada ramai pengusaha Tomato, cubalah Timun atan Lada benggala. 2) Ketahui pasaran, lokasi peraih, kedai runcit, kedai serbaguna, pasar-pasar peladang, restoran dan lain-lain. 3) Hidroponik/Fertigasi atau penanaman rumah hijau adalah mahal. Oleh itu, tanaman yang memberikan nilai margin keuntungan yang tinggi perlulah dipilih. Ini termasuklah tanaman Tomato, Lada benggala, Timun, Sayur Selada, Melon Wangi dan pelbagai jenis tanaman herba bernilai tinggi serta tanaman yang mempunyai nilai perubatan
Lokasi: Dari segi ketinggian dari aras laut dan kesesuaian tanaman, suhu, angin, kadar kecerahan cahaya matahari untuk fotosintesis, topografi kawasan, cuaca, habitat serangga (perosak/pemangsa) dan sebagainya. Sila rujuk kepada post 12 Perkara yang Perlu Diambilkira Sebelum Memilih Kawasan/Lokasi Rumah Lindungan (Greenhouse)
Pengalaman: Jika pengusaha mempunyai pengalaman pada sesuatu tanaman tertentu,..tetaplah pada tanaman tersebut. Jika tidak, dapatkan nasihat dari sesiapa sahaja yang berpengalaman dan sudah berjaya atau dapatkan khidmat pakar.

GENERAL CULTURAL PRACTICES: CROP SCHEDULING

2008-05-25T04:07:00.001-07:00

Plan ahead… When do you want to market your product for the best monetary return? For hydroponic tomato growers in seasonal countries, get a better price in Winter – no field competition and little from greenhouses in northern latitudes. Alternative: grow year around to maintain stable, consistent market/shelf space. Tomatoes: 2 examples of crop scheduling

Example 1: Passively cooled greenhouses (vents): No Summer harvesting. Seed first crop in early July in 1" (or 1.5") Rockwool cubes. Transplant in mid-July into 3" (or 4" with 2 holes) Rockwool blocks. Plant 1-month-old seedlings onto Rockwool slabs in August. Harvest from October until March – Top the plants in February, remove when second crop begins producing in March. Seed a second crop in early December as above. Transplant in mid-December as above. Interplant new 1 month old seedlings onto Rockwool slabs in January. Harvest from this new crop from March until July. Remove plants. Clean.
Example 2: Actively cooled greenhouses (fan and pad): Year around harvesting. Seed, transplant and plant first and second crops as above, removing first crop as above in March. Continue second crop, harvesting from March until the next October. Seed, transplant and plant the third crop, as the first, in July/August. When third crop is ready to harvest in October, remove second crop. Continue the process for up to 5 years.

Note: Concentrate on the production end (growing the plants, harvesting, marketing, etc.)
and purchase 1 month old seedlings from a TRANSPLANT GROWER.
NOTE: Why 2 crops/year? Fruit size and quality go down over time.

GENERAL CULTURAL PRACTICES: CROP AND CULTIVAR SELECTION – Experience

2008-05-23T16:37:00.002-07:00

EXPERIENCE: If a grower has experience with a particular crop… stick with it. Example: A family with experience in growing long cucumbers in British Columbia, Canada, moved south of Willcox, AZ and is growing cucumbers… not tomatoes. If a grower does not have experience with a particular crop… Work for someone who is successful with that crop to gain experience.
Hire someone who is experienced… an expert!

GENERAL CULTURAL PRACTICES (Crop & Cultivar Selection) – LOCATION

2008-05-23T16:37:00.001-07:00

LOCATION: The selection of a crop will dictate the best location for the operation…
and visa versa.
Example: If a grower chooses tomatoes in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, the optimum elevation is between 3,000 and 4,000 feet. Any lower and it is usually too hot to grow. Any higher and it is too cold to grow (especially during rainy days)…UNLESS SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE ($$) IS PUT TOWARD COOLING OR HEATING!
Example: If a grower has land at about 2500 feet in elevation in Cameron Highland, a crop
that can tolerate warmer temperatures than tomatoes, such as cucumbers could be selected. The selection of a “cultivar” or “variety” is also important when choosing a location. Seed companies are always coming out with new cultivars (or varieties) to suit different climates and tastes. With the move of many growing operations to higher light regions of the world
… remember photosynthesis… (Most of Asian & Middle East countries, Northern Africa, Northern Australia, Southwest USA, Mexico, Spain) AND the demand for good quality, good tasting tomatoes year around, many seed companies are introducing more HEAT TOLERANT varieties. Example (from one of the greenhouse cultivator company in Southwest USA) TRUST Tomato veriety were selected: a Dutch variety (DeRuiter Seed); optimum day temperature = 72 F. The first 10 acres (and next 30) of greenhouses were passively cooled (no fan and pad/evaporative cooling). They were not able to grow in the Summer and therefore started with transplants (1 month old seedlings started in Canada) in August and removed the crop the following July.

GENERAL CULTURAL PRACTICES - (Crop & Cultivar Selection ) – MARKET

2008-05-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

INTRODUCTION
General cultural practices include all information, techniques and skills required to successfully produce a crop and optimize yields – the main goal of any grower! We will concentrate on tomatoes with reference to other crops to illustrate the variability in cultural practices between crops.
CROP AND CULTIVAR SELECTION
This is one of the most important decisions a grower will make and depends on:
MARKET… LOCATION… EXPERIENCE

1) MARKET:

Research the region. Know if there are other growers in the area = competition. If there are too many tomato growers… try cucumbers, peppers, basil, melon, chillies/capsicum etc.
Know the market. Brokerage houses, grocery vs specialty stores, farmer’s markets, restaurants, etc.
Hydroponics/greenhouse culture is expensive. Therefore, a high cash-value crop must be chosen. These include: 1)Tomatoes: Indeterminant (vining) varieties to take advantage of the vertical space in the greenhouse that has been paid for! Beefsteak: large fruit, harvested individually. Cluster, truss or TOV (tomato on the vine): medium to large fruit, harvested as an entire truss. Cherry: small fruit, harvested individually or as an entire truss. 2)Peppers/Capsicums: Colored bells only, primarily yellows – require sun protection. 3)Cucumbers: Long (European, seedless, parthenocarpic, burpless). They are thin-skinned and must be wrapped in plastic after harvest. 4)Lettuce: Head, leaf or cos; specialty or bred for hydroponics/CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture). Summer Bibb or “Limestone” lettuce. 5)Melons: Many types of Melons (Musks, Signal, Cupid, Rock, Sweet etc) 6)Specialty Greens, Herbs and Medicinals: Several types and varieties.

NOTE: Consult seed companies for suitable crops/varieties.

2 Perkara Yang Perlu Diambilkira Ketika Memilih Lokasi Rumah Lindungan

2008-05-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

Memilih lokasi yang sesuai untuk rumah lindungan adalah sangat mustahak. Tetapi apakah yang dimaksudkan kawasan atau lokasi yang baik? Ada beberapa perkara yang perlu diambilkira ketika memilih lokasi kawasan untuk mendirikan rumah lindungan hujan bagi projek tanaman secara Fertigasi, Aeroponik atau kaedah penanaman hidroponik yang lain:

Radiasi Solar (sinar Matahari) - Kadar kecerahan sinaran Matahari yang cukup sepanjang tahun adalah sangat mustahak untuk pertumbuhan tanaman kerana ia menentukan kadar fotosintesis pokok.
Bekalan Air - Air diperlukan untuk sistem irigasi/pengairan tanaman. Lokasi yang dipilih perlulah mudah mendapat bekalan air yang bersih dan sesuai dari segi pH & TDS
Ketinggian - Ketinggian lokasi dari paras laut juga menentukan jenis tanaman yang paling sesuai ditanam. Contohnya, tanaman Strawberry tidak sesuai ditanam di tanah rendah di Asia Tenggara tetapi hanya sesuai di tanah tinggi.
Microclimate - Ia berkaitan faktor-faktor berikut --> * Latitude - aras laut *Persekitaran yang berhampiran kawasan air yang luas (laut, tasik dll) akan mengurangkan suhu terutamanya di waktu malam *Pokok-pokok, bukit bukau & halangan lain *Awan dan kabus *Kawasan angin lintang yang tinggi - ia boleh menyedut haba *Habuk/pasir yang berterbangan * Salji
Habitat atau kehadiran populasi serangga - Pemerhatian bukan sahaja terhadap kehadiran serangga perosak, tetapi juga serangga pemangsa yang bermanafaat untuk tanaman untuk kawalan biologi
Keadaan Potografi kawasan - Tapak lokasi haruslah rata dan tidak melandai terutamanya jika hendak menggunakan setup pengairan automatik.
Kemudahan asas - Bekalan elektrik, telefon, dan perparitan
Kemudahan jalanraya - Untuk transportasi bahan-bahan pertanian, binaan & hasil tanaman
Orientasi Utara-Selatan - Kedudukan orientasi sudut kompas ini adalah penting dari segi *untuk mengelakkan struktur binaan rumah lindungan itu sendiri menjadi bayang-bayang dan menghalang sinaran matahari kepada tanaman *Baris-baris tanaman akan menerima kadar cahaya yang sama untuk mendapatkan hasil yang sekata (uniform)
Keupayaan untuk pembesaran - kawasan tapak mestilah cukup besar untuk menampung kemungkinan melakukan pembesaran dengan membina lebih banyak rumah lindungan
Kemudahan bekalan buruh/pekerja
Pengurusan penempatan - Penempatan/rumah untuk pengurus ladang atau pekerja haruslah berdekatan dengan kawasan yang hendak dipilih

12 Thing To Consider When Selecting Greenhouse Site - Expansion, Labour & Management Residence

2008-05-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

10. Capability of Expansion – Purchase more land than you anticipate using in the beginning so that you have the ability to expand your operation. Locate the initial greenhouses such that future expansion will utilize the land area most efficiently.

11. Availability of Labor – The grower needs people who will want to work as laborers and who are “trainable” to become a retainable workforce.
*Such skills included pruning/training the plants and harvesting/packing the fruit.
*SPECIALTY LABOR will include people with additional training in such fields as plant production, plant nutrition, plant protection (insects and diseases) computers, labor management, marketing, etc. These may or may not be part of the regular workers, but could be call on as consultants as needed.

12. Management residence – The grower/manager residences should be close to the
greenhouse so that they can get to the greenhouse quickly in case of emergencies.

12 Things To Consider When Selecting Greenhouse Site - Utilities, Roads & North-South Orientation

2008-05-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

7. Utilities – Availability of utilities should include telephone service, three-phase electricity and fuel for heating and carbon dioxide generation.*Note that, when compared to propane, electricity or fuel oil, natural gas is the most economical heating energy source.

8. Roads – Need access to good roads to transport the “product”. Good roads close to a large population center, or to a brokerage center aids wholesale and retail marketing.

9. North-South Orientation – The greenhouse should be oriented north-south, AND the
plant rows within the greenhouse should be oriented north-south. *If oriented north-south, the greenhouse structure itself will not cast consistent shadows on any one area of the plants throughout the day. *If oriented north-south, the plant rows will receive equal light throughout the day. If oriented east-west the south most rows (in the northern hemisphere) will shade the rows to the north.

12 Things To Consider When Selecting Greenhouse Site - Pest Pressure & Level and Stable Ground

2008-05-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

5. Pest Pressure – Choose a site away from existing agriculture production areas which could harbor insect pests in the fields. Insect pests of concern include white flies, aphids, spider mites and thrips (see here for pests and control methods).

6. Level and Stable Ground – The ground upon which the greenhouse will sit must be

Graded for routing surface water to a drainage system or a holding pond. (Typical grade = ½ % or a 6 inch drop over a distance of 100 feet.)
Compacted such that there will be no settling of the site after the greenhouse has been constructed.

12 Thing To Consider When Selecting Greenhouse Site - Elevation & Microclimate

2008-05-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

3. Elevation – will effect the summer maximum and the winter minimum temperatures.
Choosing an appropriate elevation will minimize heating costs in the winter and cooling costs in the summer. Example: In Arizona tomato production is most economical between 4000 and
5000 feet (1220m-1520m). Below 4000 feet cooling costs in summer will be more whereas above 5000 feet heating costs in the winter will be more. Lower elevations might be suitable for peppers or cucumbers.

4. Microclimate - Factors which falls in microclimate considerations:

Latitude – Unless the global climate changes drastically, sea level at the poles will be colder than sea level in the tropics… latitude makes a difference!
Large bodies of water – will tend to moderate the temperature (e.g., coastal areas tend to have smaller day/night temperature differences than inland areas)
Trees, mountains or other obstructions – may cast shadows on the greenhouse, especially in the morning or afternoon hours. Mountains can also effect wind and/or storm patterns.
Clouds and fog – Note that certain areas (e.g., on the lee side of certain mountain ranges, or near coastal regions) may develop clouds or fog during certain times of the day or year that will reduce potential sunlight.
High Wind Areas – High winds can “suck” heat away from the greenhouse structure and therefore increase the heating energy demands.
Blowing dust/sand – High winds can “kick up dust or sand”, especially in desert regions, which can damage some greenhouse glazings.
Snow – The weight of heavy, wet snow on a greenhouse could crush it. However, high winds in snow areas can also blow snow up against the greenhouse structure (snow drifts) and cause damage to it. This danger can be reduced by using windbreaks (trees, snow fences, etc.).

Things To Consider When Selecting A Greenhouse Site - Solar Radiation & Water Supply

2008-05-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

Selecting a “good” site for the location of a greenhouse is crucial. But what constitutes a “good” site? There are several things that should and must be considered in order to increase the
chances of a successful operation and business.
12 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING A GREENHOUSE SITE:
1) Solar Radiation – Plants require sunlight in order to perform photosynthesis. When plants experience cloudy days their photosynthetic rates, and therefore their ability to grow and yield a product, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc., will be reduced. Therefore, a region and location with high light intensity year-round is desired.

2) Water – Water quantity and quality is crucial. Water will be needed for irrigation (maximum of 1 gal/plant/day for tomatoes). Water will be needed for the evaporative cooling system and can equal or exceed the irrigation water amounts (10,000 – 15,000 gal/acre/day). In the past, excess irrigation and bleed-off water from the evaporative cooling system was allowed to “run off” onto the ground adjacent to the greenhouse (with a rec. minimum percolation rate into the soil of 1”/hr.).
*HOWEVER, due to more strict regulations and a desire to avoid ground water contamination with high concentrations of salts, large greenhouses are now recirculating the nutrient solution.
*THEREFORE, excess nutrient solution should be recycled and/or mixed with the cooler bleed-off water and redirected onto designated areas, such as grass, shrubs, trees/windbreaks, etc.
*No matter what the source of the water, a water analysis should be done.
*Note: Sea water = 32,000 ppm (mg/l) VS Tucson water = 200-400 ppm.
Note: 640 ppm TDS (total dissolved solids) = 1 mmhos/cm or 1 mS/cm.

*Desired salt levels in the source water:
SO4 <>

Environment Control System In A Greenhouse

2008-05-20T09:04:00.001-07:00

Control systems can be very simple or very complex. Examples include:

1) The "original" environmental control systems were manual:

Manually rolling up a side vent.
Manually opening a roof vent or door.
Manually turning on a heater or cooler.

2) Simple controllers operate from a thermostat in the greenhouse and:

Automatically set day and night temperature ranges.
Automatically open and close vents (side, roof, etc.).
Automatically turn on or off heaters and coolers.

3) Step controllers operate from a thermostat in the greenhouse and:

Automatically set day and night temperature ranges.
Automatically control 1 or 2 heating stages (depends on # of heaters).
Automatically control several cooling stages using cooling fans and
pump(s) to wet the pads.

4) Sophisticated computers operate from a temperature sensor in the greenhouse and:

Automatically set day and night temperature ranges.
Automatically control heating equipment including boilers, root zone
heating, heat retention curtains, etc.
Automatically control other equipment including HAF fans, exhaust
fans, vents, pad pumps, fogger systems, etc.
Automatically control relative humidity.
Automatically control shade curtains and artificial lighting depending on
light requirements.
Sophisticated computers can also monitor an external weather station and use
data from that station to control internal conditions in the greenhouse.
Data monitored includes: outside light, temperature, RH, rain and wind.
Sophisticated computers can also operate the fertigator system
Automatically using light quantity (e.g., X ml of solution/Y amt. of light)
Automatically controlling timing of watering, duration of watering,
nutrient solution pH and EC, misting, watering booms, etc.

Sistem Kawalan Rumah lindungan - Pengudaraan / Greenhouse Control System - Air Circulation

2008-05-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

Kepentingan: Salah satu sebab untuk membina rumah lindungan ialah untuk mewujudkan 'persekitaran terkawal' untuk tanaman dan setiap tanaman di dalamnya harus menerima keadaan yang sama. Walaubagaimanapun, apabila tiba keadaan di mana sistem pemanasan atau penyejukan tidak berfungsi, suhu yang tinggi atau rendah akan terperangkap dan kelembapan serta kandungan Karbon Dioksida yang tidak sesuai akan berlaku. ianya akan menyekat pertumbuhan tanaman dan pembungaan/penghasilan buah.

Cara-cara meningkatkan pengudaraan: Konsep HAF (Horizontal Air Flow) atau Aliran Udara Mendatar membantu meningkatkan pengudaraan di dalam rumah lindungan. Ianya boleh mengurangkan penyakit dari kelembapan yang tinggi. Udara yang bergerak mengeluarkan kelembapan dan menyediakn persekiratan yang kering. Ia juga boleh meningkatkan kadar Karbon dioksida yang diperlukan oleh tanaman di siang hari. serta boleh menghalang berlakunya keadaan suhu panas/sejuk yang terperangkap di dalam persekitaran rumah lindungan yang tertutup dengan menyalurkan udara segar di dalam persekitaran kawasan tanaman.

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Importance: One reason for having a greenhouse is to create a "controlled environment" for
all of the plants. And each plant within the greenhouse should receive the same conditions. However, especially during times when the heating and cooling systems are not in operation, pockets of high or low temperature, relative humidity or carbon dioxide may develop which can be less than optimal for plant growth or flower/fruit development.
Ways of improving air circulation:
The Horizontal air flow (HAF) concept utilizes the principle that air that moves in a coherent horizontal pattern in a building like a greenhouse needs only enough energy to overcome turbulence and friction loss to keep it moving. Besides the obvious advantage of more uniform temperature within the greenhouse, HAF systems can reduce the incidence of foliar diseases. The moving air removes moisture from the plant canopy resulting in a drier microclimate. When leaf temperatures are allowed to cool much below the air temperature, the dew point is reached and condensation occurs harboring disease organisms. Radiant cooling on clear nights,, especially in non-infrared poly covered houses will cool plant leaves several degrees below air temperature. HAF will reduce this difference.
During daylight hours, photosynthesis depletes the carbon dioxide that is in the boundary layer of air next to the leaf. Moving air will replace this depleted air with fresh air having a higher carbon dioxide content. If carbon dioxide is being added, a lower level is usually adequate to get the same plant responses, for instance, 800 - 1000 ppm rather than 1200 - 1500 ppm. Horizontal air flow fans can be placed in the rafters of the greenhouse to circulate air above the crop. This helps to minimize pockets of warm or cold air and high or low humidity or carbon dioxide within the greenhouse. HAF fans can be used in conjunction with hot air heating systems to circulate warm air throughout the greenhouse. HAF fans can also be used at anytime to enhance air mixing in the greenhouse.

Model Set-up Asas Sistem Fertigasi Terbuka Di Malaysia

2008-05-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

KAWALAN RUMAH LINDUNGAN - PEMBEKALAN CO2 / GREENHOUSE CONTROL SYSTEMS - CARBON DIOXIDE ENRICHMENT

2008-05-16T03:17:00.000-07:00

Importance: The rate of photosynthesis is dependent upon the availability of carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide enrichment is most important during the winter months in the morning. The sun has risen and photosynthesis has begun. The plants can reduce the levels of carbon dioxide from the ambient level of about 330 ppm (higher in cities due to industry and vehicles) to around 220 ppm. Lowered carbon dioxide levels will reduce growth and can cause flower and
fruit drop reducing overall yields.
*Ways of controlling carbon dioxide levels in the greenhouse:

Ventilating (bringing air in from the outside) may provide sufficient carbon dioxide during the Spring, Summer and Fall months.
Ventilating during the Winter months, or anytime in cold climates, will, however, result in cold outside air being brought into the greenhouse. Heating will then be needed to maintain the proper temperature which may become uneconomical. Therefore, carbon dioxide generation is a typical and effective way to increase levels in the greenhouse during the Winter or in cold climates.
Carbon dioxide generators can burn various types of fuel including natural gas (most economical)or propane. Carbon dioxide levels above 800 ppm, even as high as 1200 ppm, have been shown to be beneficial to plant growth.

Hydroponic/Fertigation Different Type Of Media & Its Characteristics

2008-05-16T02:16:00.000-07:00

Media,One of the most obvious decisions a hydroponicist has to make is which medium they should use. Different media are appropriate for different growing techniques:

Diahydro - Natural sedimentary rock medium. Diahydro consists of the fossilized shells of algae (diatoms) that lived millions of years ago. Diahydro is extremely high in Silica (87-94%), an essential component for the growth of plants and strengthening of cell walls.
Expanded Clay - Also known as 'hydroton' or 'leca' (light expanded clay aggregate), trademarked names, these small, round baked spheres of clay are inert and are suitable for hydroponic systems in which all the nutrients are carefully controlled in the water. Clay pebbles are best not reused as even when they are cleaned. This does not remove roots that actually grow into clay beads. Breaking open a clay pebble after a crop has been grown in it will reveal this. Baked clay pebbles are porous,and can be irregularly shaped or uniform depending on brand and manufacturing process.
Rockwool - Rockwool is probably the most widely used medium in Hydroponics. Made from basalt rock it is heat-treated at high temperatures then spun back together like candy floss. It comes in lots of different forms including cubes, blocks, slabs and granulated or flock. When this medium is dry, care needs to be taken so as not to inhale any particles — inhaling such particles may carry a health risk. Rockwool will cause a higher pH level. You must adjust the pH level of the nutrient solution to counteract this. A pH level of 5.5-6.5 should suffice to create a suitable pH.
Coir or Coco-peat - from coconut husk fiber, can be used as a compressed medium. Coir comes also in bags and in slabs. Some types of coir are very high in sodium (salt) due to the nature of coconut palms growing on island environments and being processed in the salt air.
Perlite - Perlite is a volcanic rock that has been superheated into very lightweight expanded glass pebbles. It is used loose or in plastic sleeves immersed in the water. It is also used in potting soil mixes to decrease soil density. Perlite has similar properties and uses to vermiculite but generally holds more air and less water. If not contained, it can float if flood and drain feeding is used.
Vermiculite - Like perlite, vermiculite is another mineral that has been superheated until it has expanded into light pebbles. Vermiculite holds more water than perlite and has a natural "wicking" property that can draw water and nutrients in a passive hydroponic system. If too much water and not enough air surrounds the plants roots, it's possible to gradually lower the medium's water-retention capability by mixing in increasing quantities of perlite.
Sand - Sand is cheap and easily available. However, it is heavy, it does not always drain well, and it must be sterilized between use.
Gravel - The same type that's used in aquariums, though any small gravel can be used, provided it's washed first. It's inexpensive, easy to keep clean, drains well and won't become waterlogged. However, it's also heavy, and if your system doesn't provide continuous water, the roots may dry out.
Brick Shards - Broken up brick has been used in the place of gravel, works just like it, the disadvantage being that it may alter the pH and if recycled, has to be cleaned first.
Polystyrene Packing Peanuts - Very lightweight. Cheap, readily available and they drain well. They can be too light, and are mainly used in closed tube systems. Only polystyrene peanuts can be used: the biodegradable ones, of course, will become a sludge.

*Also refer to post Basic Needs For Fertigation 6 - Media Substrates