The ABC of fertigation in the

hydroponic raspberries

February 28, 2019

By
Serge Gagnon, M. Sc., Agr.
Plant Products
Fertigation

Technique that allows to bring elements

water-soluble fertilizers through a system
irrigation.
Cannons, ramps, sprinkler, drip irrigation.
Technique increasingly used in small
fruits and in many other cultures as well.
Allows for precision fertilization:
The right fertilizer, at the right time, in the right place and in
appropriate amount.
Fertigation - the advantages

Avoid excessive vegetative growth

at the beginning of the season.

Elements already in solution facilitating

the absorption.
Is a must-have in above-ground.
 The Raspberry Above Ground
Production in long cane pots
1.8 liter pots (cans)
Pots of 5 to 10 liters.

Substrate:
Coconut fiber.
Different blends based on of
turf.
Commercial blends
with fine sawdust.

Drip irrigation system

Drippers 2 liters/hour.
 The raspberry grown without soil

Drip irrigation.
Irrigation of 100 to 250 ml 5 to 30 times per day depending on the
substrate, the volume of the pots, the time of the year and the
stage of development.
With the large pots, we use larger volumes.
more spaced irrigation and the opposite with the small pots.
Be careful with the drying of the pots during the night. Do not
finish the irrigations too late.
If leaching begins with the first irrigation of
In the morning, the substrate was too wet during the night.
 Build a program of
fertigation for raspberry

Analysis of the SSE or SME substrate

(saturated paste)
Irrigation water analysis
Leaf analyses
Plant needs
Home tests for pH monitoring,
This and volume of leached water
 Build a program of
fertigation
•Analyze SSE or SME (saturated paste)
SSE for 'Saturated Soil Extract'.
SME for 'Saturated Media Extract'.
‒ Portrait instantané des éléments disponibles en solution
in the soil or substrate.
In substrate-based soilless culture, analysis will not be used.
of standard sun as for field crop.
- Initial analysis and sometimes during the growth process for
check the levels and balance of different minerals.
 Build a program of
fertigation - Water analysis

• Analyse de l’eau d’irrigation

Electrical conductivity (EC)
-pH
Alkalinity (Bicarbonates)
–RAS
Other mineral elements
Irrigation water analysis
electrical conductivity (EC)

Measurement of the total quantity of minerals

dissolved in water.
It measures with a conductivity meter.
Expressed in mS/cm (milli-Siemens/cm) =
mmhos/cm (milli-mhos/cm)
We most often use mS/cm.
-1 000 µS = 1 mS
Analysis of irrigation water
electrical conductivity (EC)

Excellent <0.25 mS/cm

Good 0.25 to 0.60 mS/cm
Passable 0.60 to 1.50 mS/cm
Bad >1.50 mS/cm
Substrate <1.50
 Water analysis
irrigation - pH

The pH of the irrigation water is not that

important.
The pH of the irrigation water can be corrected
with fertilizers and acids according to the level
of alkalinity.
Maintain a pH of the nutrient solution between
5.8 and 6.2.
Analysis of irrigation water
Alkalinity
•Measure of the power of water to neutralize the
acids.
The higher it is, the more irrigation water.
tends to raise the pH of the
substrate.
Concentration of carbonate ions (CO
--
3) and
bicarbonates (HCO)- 3).
•On the analyses, expressed in:
- 0.82 = CaCO (ppm)
ppm of HCO3X --
3
-- 1.22 = HCO (ppm)
ppm of CaCO3X -
3
Alkalinity vs containers

Container Acceptable Disturbing

(diameter) (ppm CaCO3(ppm CaCO)3)
Multicells 60 to 100 <40 or >120

Small jars 80 to 120 <40 or >140

Pots of 4 to 5 inches. 100 to 140 <40 or >160

Pots >6 inches. 120 to 180 <60 or >200

Ref. Greenhouse manager, February 1991

Examples of water analyses
Correction of alkalinity
Acids
Acids Concentration - Quantity to neutralize 100 ppm
tration of CaCO3in 1000 liters
% Grams ml bring
Nitric 67 190 135 28 ppm N
38 335 272 28 ppm N
Phosphoric 85 223 131 58 ppm P
75 253 160 58 ppm P
Sulfuric 35 280 222 32 ppm S
95 ppm SO4
Sulfuric 93 105 57 32 ppm S
96 ppm SO4
Citric 100 192

Citric 50 384 310

Adapted from UNH Extension ALKCALC

Correction of alkalinity-
Acids

Example of calculation
Our water analysis #2 contains 356 ppm of
HCO3x 0.82 = 291 ppm of CaCO3.
- To lower the water to 100 ppm of CaCO3,he
must neutralize 191 ppm.
With 38% nitric acid, 520 ml in 1,000
liters of water will be needed. This which
will bring 53.5 ppm of N.
 Water analysis
irrigation - RAS

➢ RASI adjustedAdjusted absorption report of

sodium.
Na+
➢ RASI adjusted=
Cax++ + Mg++
2
➢ Take into account the electrical conductivity and
bicarbonates.
General Interpretation Standards
of a water analysis
Element Maximum concentration (ppm)
Potassium (K) 10
Phosphorus (P) 5
Calcium (Ca) 100-120
Magnesium (Mg) 25-35
Fer (Fe) 3-4
Manganese (Mn) 0.5-1.0
Copper (Cu) 0.05-0.10
Zinc (Zn) 0.20-0.30
Bore (B) 0.25 -0.35
Molybdenum (Mo) 0.05
Sodium (Na) 50-60
Fluorine (F) 1
Chloride (Cl) 100
Bicarbonates (HCO3) 500
Sulfates (SO4) 250-350
RAS 4
Adapted from multiple references
 Build a program of
fertigation

Leaf analyses
At crucial moments (fruiting).
Confirm visual symptoms of deficiencies.
If we observe a deficiency, the leaf analysis will
confirm the problematic element but the plant
has been pending for quite some time now.
 Nutrient content of
raspberry leaves
(OMAFRA)

Elements Average contents (% or ppm)

Azote (%) 2.0–3.5
Phosphore (%) 0.2–0.5
Potassium (%) 1.0–2.0
Calcium (%) 0.8–2.5
Magnésium (%) 0.25-0.5
Zinc (ppm) 15-100
Manganèse (ppm) 20-200
Fe (ppm) 25-200
Bore (ppm) 20-60
Cuivre (ppm) 5-20
 Build a program
of fertigation
The needs of the plant
The concentration of the nutrient solution should be
between 1.3 and 2.0 mS/cm. Continuous fertilization.
-1.5 to 2.0 mS/cm in the vegetative phase
-1.3 to 1.7 mS/cm in the reproductive phase
Report N: Kd'environ:
-1:0.6 in the vegetative phase
-1:1 to 1:1.25 in the reproductive phase
Decrease in CE during hot period.
The raspberry plant prefers nitrate nitrogen sources. No more.
10-15% in the form of NH4.
Fertigation fertilizers

Soluble fertilizers
- Base fertilizer
Compound fertilizers
Liquid fertilizers
Basic fertilizer
Compound fertilizers
Basic fertilizers
Calcium nitrate (15.5-0-0 19% Ca) = Ca and N
Monopotassium phosphate (0-52-34) = P and K
Potassium sulfate (0-0-50) = K
Potassium chloride (0-0-62) = K
Potassium nitrate (13.5-0-46) = N and K
Ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) = N
Urea (46-0-0) = N
Magnesium nitrate (11-0-0 9.3% Mg) = N and Mg
Magnesium sulfate (10% Mg) = Mg
Fer EDTA (13.2% Fe) and Fer DTPA (7% Fe) and Fer EDDHA (6%)
Chelated oligo mix
Copper sulfate (25%)
Zinc sulfate (35% Zn)
Manganese Sulfate (29.5% Mn)
Boric Acid (17.5% B)
Sodium molybdate (46% Mo)
 Compound fertilizers

% Power
% Nitrate Ammonium Urea Ca and Mg oligos Sulfur acidifying
m
(based)
10-50-10 1% Zn -
68 32 421
14-0-14 6 and 3% -
93 7- (175)
22-0-22 1% Mg 0.5% Zn 1.5%
65 35 - 160
19-2-19 1.5% Mg Yes + 1.8%183
64 36 -
24-10-20 Yes -
25 - 75 288
13-0-25 4 and 2% -
98 2- (221)
20-5-30 Yes
44 5 51 60
6-11-31 3% Mg Yes 3%
100 (141)
Acidifying or basifying power

Acidifying power or acidity index

Quantity of lime (calcium carbonate, CaCO)3) necessary for

neutralize the acidity of a ton of fertilizer. For example, 421 kg is needed.
lime (CaCO)3) to neutralize (pH of 7) one ton of 10-52-10.

Basic power or basicity index

Equivalent quantity of lime (calcium carbonate, CaCO)3brought

by a ton of fertilizer. For example, a ton of 14-0-14 provides
the equivalent of 175 kg of calcium carbonate CaCO3).
Content in elements
N-P-K
20-20-20
N P2O5 K2O

20% of N
The P2O5contains 44% of P
-20 x 0.44 = 8.8%
The K2O contains 83% of K
–20 x 0.83 = 16.6%
 Liquid fertilizers

Do not forget the density of the product in the

calculations.
Liquid calcium nitrate (9-0-0, 11% Ca)
Specific density: 1.46kg/litre
So 1 liter contains: 1.46kg/l x 9%N = 0.13kg
of N.
 The injectors

To provide our fertilizing solution it is

the tool par excellence.
Avoid transporting or installing
giant reservoirs.
Different models on the market
Amiad
Dosmatic
Dosatron
Mix Right
 The injectors

Dosatron
Proportioner that injects at a rate of 0.5 to 5%.
-Works with water pressure.
Different models based on flow rate (GPM) 11, 14, 20, 40, 100
and others.
Works at pressures from 2 to 120 psi.
¾ inch, 1 inch, 1½ inch, 2 inch outlets

–Filtration before the injector (200mesh).

-1% is the standard dilution rate used. For every 100 liters that
pass into the injector, 1 liter of concentrate will be injected. So we are going to
100X concentrated solution in the solution tank
concentrated.
Injectors installation
 Compatibility of base fertilizers
Urea
in concentrate urea
Nit.am
Ammonium nitrate m.
Sul.am
Ammonium sulfate m.
Calcium nitrate Nit.cal.

Potassium nitrate Nit.pot.

Chloride of Chlo.po
potassium t

Potassium sulfate Sul.pot.

Phosphate Phosm
ammonium on.
Iron, Zinc, Copper sulfate Sul.
Mn Fe...
Chelate of Fe, Zn,
Cu, Mn Chel. Fe
Sulfate of Sul.mag
magnesium .
Ac.pho
Phosphoric acid s.
Sulfuric acid Ac.sulf.
Nitric acid Nitric acid
Phosphate
monoammonic PMA
Phosphate
monopotassic PMK
Mol.sod
Sodium molybdate .

compatible reduced solubility Incompatible

 The injectors
and the fertilizer concentrates

A B C
Potassium sulfate
Calcium nitrate Magnesium sulfate
Potassium nitrate Monopotassium phosphate.
Ammonium nitrate Potassium nitrate Acids
Magnesium nitrate Oligos chél.
Oligos sul.
Nitric acid Phosphoric acid
Sulfuric acid
Example of assembly
with three concentrates
 Solubility of fertilizers
fertigation
The solubility of fertilizers is a function of their
physicochemical properties, of the temperature
water, the quantity and nature of the salts
that it contains.
Do not forget the old principle of
thermodynamics. The fertilizer needs to dissolve in order to
need for energy and thus brings down the
water temperature. The drop may also be
important that 5 - 10°C in concentrates.
Perform a solubility test with water.
 Solubility of fertilizers

Plant-Prod Solubility vs Temperature

PP 13-0-25

600

550

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150
0 10 20 30
Temperature,oC
 Example of calculations
(100 liters of 1% injection concentrate)
186 N : 39 P : 206 K : 144 Ca : 50 Mg en ppm
6-11-31 0.8g/L (8000g/100L injection at 1%)
Calcium nitrate (15.5-0-0) (19% Ca) 0.758g/L (7,580g/100L injection at 1%)
Nitrated Ammonium (34-0-0) 0.06g/L (600 g/100 L injection at 1%)
Magnesium sulfate (10% Mg) 0.26 g/L (2,600 g / 100 L injection at 1%)

To calculate the amount to put in (we start with the Ca)

Desired PPM X Prepared volume in liters X concentration. 144 X 100 x 100 = 7 580g
% of active ingredient X 10 19 X 10

ppm = Quantité utilisée (g) x % du produit actif X 10 7,580 g x 15.5 x 10 = 118 ppm N
Volume prepared in liters x concentrate 100 x 100

Do not forget to add the quantities already present in

irrigation water.
 Example of calculations
100 liters of 1% injection concentrate
186 N : 39 P : 206 K : 144 Ca : 50 Mg en ppm
6-11-31 0.8g/L (8,000 g/100L injection at 1%)
Calcium nitrate (15,5-0-0) 0.758g/L (7,580g/100L injection at 1%)
Ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) 0.06g/L (600 g/ 100 L injection at 1%)
Magnesium sulfate (10% Mg) 0.26g/L (2,600 g / 100 L injection at 1%)

Let's go with phosphorus

Desired PPM X Prepared volume in liters X concentration. 39 X 100 x 100 8,057 g
X 10% active ingredient 4.84 X 10
ppm = Quantité utilisée (g) x % du produit actif X 10 8,000 g x 6 x 10 = 48 ppm N
Prepared volume in liters x Concentration. 100 x 100
8,000 g x 15.5 x 10 = 206 ppm K
100 x 100
8,000 g x 3 x 10 = 24 ppm Mg
100 x 100
 Example of calculation
(100 liters of injection concentrate 1%)
186 N : 39 P : 206 K : 144 Ca : 50 Mg en ppm
6-11-31 0.8g/L (8,000 g/100L injection at 1%)
Calcium nitrate (15.5-0-0) 0.758g/L (7,580g/100L injection at 1%)
Ammonium nitrate (34-0-0) 0.06g/L (600 g/ 100 L injection at 1%)
Magnesium sulfate (10% Mg) 0.26g/L (2,600 g / 100 L injection at 1%)

We complete the nitrogen with 34-0-0 (20 ppm short)

Desired PPM X Prepared volume in liters X concentration. 20 X 100 x 100 = 588g

% of active product X 10 34 X 10

We complete the Mg with magnesium sulfate (lacking 26 ppm)

Desired PPM X Prepared volume in liters X concentration. 26 X 100 x 100 = 2 600g

% of active product X 10 10 X 10
Example of calculations

There are spreadsheets on Excel or

others.
Ideally, the anions should be balanced.
(NO3-, H2PO4-, SO4-) and cations (NH4, K
+ , +

Ca++, Mg++).
You will certainly find a person
resource to help you.
 Monitoring of pH and EC
and irrigations

Install a system
which allows to
retrieve the water from
washing
Measure the pH, the EC
and the washed volume.
Min. 2 to 3 times/week.
On average we
should wash 15 to
20%. Can vary in
function of the substrate
and conditions
climatic.
Thanks to Marc-André from La Belle de Coteau du Lac
Monitoring of pH and EC
and irrigations

Always take the water sample at the same

Time for measuring pH and EC. Start
the washing.
An allowance of 0.5 to 1 mS/cm is accepted for the EC.
in the washing water. If more than that we bring
modifications.
Increases or decreases leaching
Increase or decrease the contribution CE
•Analyze SME and/or the nutritional solution (at
washing) in the course of cultivation to verify the
balance and the level of the elements.
 House test 2:1

Method 2:1 (200 ml of distilled water and

100 ml of packed substrate.
Always take the soil sample at
same moment e.g. 1 hour later
start of irrigation.
Make 5 to 10 samples for
to make a sample.
Always take at the same level
(root system).
 Test house 2:1
•Stir well and wait 30 minutes. Stir at
new and wait 5 minutes.
Take the reading of the pH and C.E. with a
conductivity meter and pH meter in the third
superior.
 Comparison of EC values (mS/cm)
obtained with different extraction methods

1:5 1:2 SME PourThru

0 to 0.11 0 to 0.25 0 to 0.75 0 to 1.0

0.12 to 0.35 0.26 to 0.75 0.76 to 2.0 1.0 to 2.6

0.36 to 0.65 0.76 to 1.25 2.0 to 3.5 2.6 to 4.6

0.66 to 0.89 1.26 to 1.75 3.5 to 5.0 4.6 to 6.5

0.9 to 1.1 1.76 to 2.25 5.0 to 6.0 6.6 to 7.8

>1,1 >2.25 greater than 6.0 >7,8

 Water quality

It is important to know the quality of the water well

and what it contains.
Allows to anticipate in addition to the needs in
fertilizers, the potential problems for the
clogging of emitters by deposits
organic and mineral.
 General water quality standards
regarding the risks of clogging of the emitters

Parameters Low risk Medium risk High risk

Bicarbonates (mg/l) <125 >125

Calcium (mg/l) <40 >40

pH < 7.0 7.0 - 8.0 8.0

Solids in
suspension (mg/l) < 50 50 - 100 100
Manganèse mg/L < 0.1 0.1–1.5 1.5

Fer-mg/L < 0.2 0.2–1.5 1.5

Sulfur
of hydrogen - mg/L < 0.2 0.2–2.0 2.0

Bacteria < 10 000 10,000 - 50,000 50,000

Nombre / ml
Thank you