Regeneration using Solar Powered Hydroponics

J. Bradley Morris and Ken Manley

Ken Manley, Technician, Special-Purpose Legumes, New, and Miscellaneous Crops

History of Hydroponics

• Use of complete nutrient solution in U.S. (1925).• 1925 – 1935

– New Jersey Ag. Exper. Sta. improved sand culture method.– Water and sand culture methods used at Calif. Ag. Exper. Sta.– Limitations solved by adding sub-irrigation systems at New Jersey and Indiana

Ag. Exper. Sta.• Post W.W. II years – interest in the SW U.S. in gravel culture of tomatoes and

cucumbers but systems not perfected and abandoned.• After about 20 yrs. Plastic use in hydroponics for lining growing beds instead of

using concrete. Interest decreased again.

• 1925 – 1935 continued• Another 20 yrs. passed since real interest in hydroponics occurred once more for

regions prone to groundwater pollution with nutrient wastes or soil sterilants.• Ref. University of arizona.

http://ag.arizona.edu/hydroponictomatoes/history.htm.

History of Solar Power• 7th Century B.C. - magnifying glass.

• 1767 – first solar collector (Swiss scientist – Harace de Saussure).

• 1800’s: – Photovoltaic effect discovered (French scientist, Edmond Becquerel).– Solar powered engines and predecessor of modern parabolic dish

collectors (French mathematician, August Mouchetr).– Description of first solar cells made from selenium wafers (American

inventor, Charles Fritts.

• 1900’s– Solar collector invented (William Bailley, 1908).– Photoelectric effect explained (Albert Einstein, 1921).– First photovoltaic cell (PV) developed in U.S. (Bell Labs, 1954).– First commercial office building using solar water heating (Frank Briders,

mid-1950’s).– Hoffman Electronics achieves 14% efficient PV cells (1960).– NASA launches satellite powered by PV array (1964).– Less costly solar cell designed (Exxon Corp., 1970).– First PV research and development (U. of Delaware, 1972).

• 1900’s continued– U.S. DOE launches federal facility dedicated to solar energy (1977).– Development of a PV solar cell that converts 32.3% of sunlight into

electricity (Spectrolab, Inc. and NREL, 1999).• 2000’s

– Solar panels on solar power array deployed in space (2000).– And continues.

Ref. U.S. DOE, Energy efficiency and renewable energy, the history of solar

Objectives• Hydroponics

– Can it be a useful tool to regenerate difficult accessions? For example - unadapted, poor seed producers in field or greenhouse, endangered sp.

• Solar power– Can it be used with hydroponics outdoors or in a cold frame?– Can it save energy costs?

Two 12 V deep cycle batterieswith charge controller.

Outlet cord connectingsolar panels with batteries.

4 high wattage solar panels (15 watts each).

Liquid nutrient-filled container with 12 v pump and filter.

Winged bean, PI 477268 in hydroponics

Grodan – water absorbent stonewool. Made from molten rock spun into fibers, compressed in to cubes, blocks, or slabs. They are sterile, structure is maintained, absorbs water. Hydroton – pelletized clay, inert, pH neutral, drains freely, no excess water, good oxygen levels.

Liquid nutrients used in hydroponics for winged bean, PI 477268

5-0-1 (m)Ca 5%Co 0.0005%Fe 0.1%Mn 0.05%Mo 0.0008%

2-1-6 (g)Mn 0.5%

0-5-4 (b)Mg 1.5%S 1%

Liquid nutrient applications

10-3-2009

¼ tsp/gal of

m, g, and b.

10-14-20091 tsp/gal of m, g, and b.

10-26-2009 to 11-29-20092 tsp/gal of m3 tsp/gal of g1 tsp/gal of b

11-30-2009 to 1-20-20102 tsp/gal of m, g, and b.1-21-2010 to Present

pH = 6.0

Winged bean, PI 477268 production in hydroponic system over time

Approximately 2 month, 11-12-2009.

12-1-2009

12-17-20091-11-2010

65-80º FNight/day

Costs for hydroponic and solar panel system used

• 2, 12 V, deep cell batteries @ $174.79 ea = $349.58• 2 battery cases @ $5.00 ea = $ 10.00• 2 ring terminals for batteries @ $3.49 ea = $ 6.98• 2 battery boxes @ $11.49 ea = $ 22.98• 4, 15 Watt solar panels @ 79.99 ea = $ 319.96• Mounting kit @ $89.99 = $ 89.99• Hydroponics system @ $650.00 = $650.00• 18 V pump for hydroponics @ $34.95 = $ 34.95• Nutrients and hydroponic supplies @ 233.25 = $249.20• pH control kit = $ 15.95• Shipping @ $220.42 = $220.42• Total $1,970.01

Advantages

Castorbean Hibiscus spp.

-$1,970.01/hydroponic/solar system -Estimated electrical cost for hydroponic/solar power system in the grhs. ($97.00/yr.).-Cost effective.

Disadvantages

-Inclement weather producing hail stones, very high wind, or mowing near causing rocks to damage solar panels.-Batteries require replacement/2yrs.

Conclusion

-Hydroponics is a useful tool for regenerating poor seed producers under normal growing conditions.-Hydroponics can be used in curation research. For example – study root zones easily, nutrient uptake, root structures for drought tolerance, allelopathy, and root phytochemicals.

-Yes, it can be used to power a hydroponic system outdoors.