Prairie CordgrassAn Aeroponic Approach to Greenhouse Production

Nathan Deppe-PCF Coordinator

Recycled Glass vs. Leca Stone SubstratesPrairie Cordgrass ‘Savoy’ (right) rooted in leca stone vs. recycled glass substrate (left)

Choice of SubstratesRecycled Glass Leca Stone

Comparison of Plants in Diverse SubstratesPlants in Recycled Glassa. Fewer Shoots and Rhizomesb. Less Robust

Plants in Leca Stonec. Strong Healthy Plant Crownd. More Shoots and Rhizomese. Healthier and More Vigorous Rootsf. Improved Top Growth

Materials and Methods1) Tank/Reservoir (4 or 5 Gal White Bucket)2) Submersible Tank Pump (Eco-Plus, Eco-185)3) Feeder Pipe with Mist Nozzles (PVC

Construct)4) Containment Vessel with Substrate (6” Wide

Lip Bucket Basket and Leca Stone)5) Nutrient Solution6) Greenhouse Environment Suitable for Bio-

Energy Grass Production (28C/20C, 16 hr Photoperiod with 1000W HPS HID)

Tank/Reservoir A white tank is a

necessity in order to keep nutrient solution cooler from incoming solar gain

A 4 or 5 gallon tank is needed for ample head space and nutrient solution

Submersible Tank Pump Used to continuously

circulate nutrient solution

Filter is kept on during use to keep pump from driving inert matter thru nozzles

Brand: Eco-Plus Model: Eco-185 Purchased at a local

hydroponics store

Feeder Pipe Assembly PVC Construct ½” MPT to ½” MPT nipple

from pump to ½” FPT to ½” MPVC pipe

thread to ½” FPVCPT to 1/2” PVC slip to 1.5” Piece of ½” PVC to ½” Tee to Each end of feeder pipe is 3”

long ½” PVC to ½” PVC slip caps Purchased at a local hardware

store

Mist Nozzles Two 1/8” holes drilled at

5.5” from center of nozzles

180 degree nozzles with threaded tips

Nozzles need adjustment to spray both sides of bucket basket

Nozzles purchased at a local hydroponics store

Containment Vessel with Substrate

6” wide lip bucket basket filled with leca stone

Purchased at local hydroponics store

Seedlings were planted with crown slightly below surface of substrate

Nutrient Solutions Peter’s

Hydroponics Special (5-11-26)

Calcium Nitrate (Horticultural Grade)

Magnesium Sulfate

Iron Sulfate

General Guidelines For early rooting use less

calcium nitrate Use iron sulfate to maintain

sufficient iron levels for green-up of leaf tissue

Use calcium nitrate to push vegetative growth once plants become established

Change solution every4-7 days and clean tank and flush substrate with water

Nutrient Solutions (Cont) General Fertilizer Rates for

Aeroponic Solution Peter’s Hydroponic Special (2.5 tsp/5

gallons water) Calcium Nitrate (early growth: 0.5 tsp/5

gallons water, vegetative growth: 1.5 tsp/5 gallons water)

Magnesium Sulfate (1/4 tsp/5 gallons water)

Iron Sulfate (1/2 tsp/5 gallons water)

Greenhouse Environment Plant Care Facility

Space for Hydroponic Culture

28C/20C Day/Night Temps Energy Shade Curtains

and 1000 W HPS HID for Optimal Lighting Conditions

16 Hour Photoperiod with Active Supplemental Lighting to 700 Wm-2 Solar Radiation

Special ThanksI would like to thank Clinton Shipley and Andrew D’Urso for their outstanding technical assistance that helped create these protocols. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. DoKyoung Lee for providing plant material and inspiration for this project.