Let plant evaporation control the irrigation
Use a drain tray or a start tray and let the plants decide irrigation. The start tray and the drain tray are used to control the irrigation of cultures grown in Rockwool or perlite, for example tomatoes, cucumbers and other plants.
Rock wool growing mats with plants are placed on the starter tray. It is important that the plastic film is removed from the bottom of the rockwool growing mat. If perlite is used, holes are cut in the bottom of the bags so that excess water can drain out.
When watered, some of the fertilizer water will remain in the perlite and some will seep into the tray reservoir. The tray reservoir is connected to a sensor arrangement. This gives a signal for watering when part of the water in the reservoir has been consumed by the plants placed on the starter tray.
The amount of water to be consumed before a start signal is given can be set by raising or lowering the sensor electrode. The electrode is connected to an automatic watering device that starts watering every time the electrode has given a start signal.
As for the starter tray, the drainage tray works by placing stone wool mats on the tray. It is important that the plastic film is removed from the bottom of the stone wool cultivation mat. The drainage that occurs during watering is measured by a drainage counter connected to the tray. This is shown in the color image.
Unlike the start tray, the drain tray cannot independently start an irrigation. The drainage tray must be connected to a fertilizer mixer with a drainage control program.
The desired drainage percentage is controlled by adjusting the light sum of the solar integrator so that the interval between watering changes depending on the deviation between the current and desired drainage percentage. The drain percentage is set in the program.
Control of the drainage quantity saves water, and at the same time ensures that surplus nutrients and root exudates are not accumulated in the slabs.
Registration of irrigations can be performed by connecting a PC with the SuperLink program installed. With the PC program, there are several possibilities to change the setpoints and collect the data.
Irrigation control of cultures grown in rockwool or perlite
Exact dosing of Water and fertilizer
Registration of irrigation by connecting to SuperLink
Control of the desired drainage percentage
Contact a specialist from DGT by Senmatic to get tailored guidance for your horticultural department. Our team of experts are ready to help you optimize your nursery with sustainable technology solutions.
