1 / 31

Float Training for Agents

Float Training for Agents. May 2, 2013. Tray selection is a compromise between maximizing plants per unit area and final transplant size. 242 and 288 are most common Trays differ in density Single use trays (1 yr) Others (3 to 4 yrs). Tray filling (g media/tray).

egil
Download Presentation

Float Training for Agents

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Float Training for Agents May 2, 2013

  2. Tray selection is a • compromise between • maximizing plants per unit • area and final transplant • size. • 242 and 288 are most • common • Trays differ in density • Single use trays (1 yr) • Others (3 to 4 yrs)

  3. Tray filling (g media/tray) 17% less media per tray in NKY tray

  4. 1 hour wicking (% of media) 19% less wicking at 1 hr in NKY tray

  5. 24 hour wicking (% of media) 12% less wicking at 24 hr in NKY tray

  6. Dry Cells (%)

  7. Germination (%)

  8. Spiral Root (%)

  9. Spiral root

  10. Effects of covering on spiral roots, 2003 Danny Peek, Virginia Tech

  11. Effects of covering on usable transplants, 2003 Danny Peek, Virginia Tech

  12. Spiral Root • Still an occasional problem • Exact cause still unknown • Best grower practices • Dibble at least ½ in deep • Gently bump or shake trays after seeding • Cover lightly with media after seeding

  13. Germination • Optimum Temperature • 70° to 75°F • High end 90°F • Damage or kill germinating seeds • Low end 50°F • Delay germination • Uneven

  14. Transplant growth • Daytime temperatures • 70° to 80°F • Lower temp/Slower growth • Nighttime temperatures • 60° to 70°F range initially • 50° to 65°F • After four-leaf stage • Conserves heating costs

  15. Fertility • Water volume • Tray # X depth in inches X 1.64 • Example: 759 * 4.5 * 1.64 = 5600gal • Fertilization • Nitrogen • Amount • 100 ppm N ideal • 4.2 lbs/1000 gal • Calculations • 20-10-20 to get 100 ppm N • Water = 8.34 lb/gal • 8.34 X 1000 gal = 8340 lbs • 100 ppm = 1/10000 or .834 lb/ 1000 gal • 20-10-20 is 20% N. .834/20% or .834/.2 = 4.17 or 4.2 • If 15-5-15 - .834/.15 = 5.56 lbs.

  16. Estimating fertility • Conductivity - Measure of electrical flow • Units • mS milli-Siemens • 100 micro-Siemens or mmhos • Method • Take water source reading (ex. 0.4) • Measure fertilized water (ex. 1.3) • Know fertilizer conductivity (ex 20-10-10 is .33/50 ppm) or check chart • 1.3 – 0.4 = .9, .9/.33 = 2.73 • 2.73 * 50 = 136 ppm

  17. CONDUCTIVITY READINGSSTANDARDS CHART FOR 20-10-201 mS (DiST 4 meters) 1. TAKE WATER SOURCE READING (PLAIN WATER) 2. TAKE FERTILIZED WATER READING 3. SUBTRACT WATER SOURCE FROM FERTILIZED EXAMPLE: IF PLAIN WATER = .4 & FERTILIZED WATER = 1.4, 1.4-.4=10, PPM N = 150

  18. Soluble Salts Injury

  19. Source of Nitrogen • Nitrate • Best • Readily available form • Ammoniacal • Marginal • Ammonium form • Urea • Worst • Can convert to ammonia or nitrite which can be toxic to plants

  20. Insect Pests of Float Beds • Variegated cut worms • Significant damage in a short time • Feed at night rarely seen • Shore flies and Fungus gnats • More a nuisance • Aphids • Flea beetles • Check regularly and spray with acephate (Orthene)

  21. Float Bed Insect

  22. Float Bed Pests

  23. Occasional Pests of Float Beds • Slugs • Habitat destruction • Baits • Mice • Baits • Sow bugs • Habitat destruction • acephate

  24. Control • Gnats, Flies, Aphids, Cutworms, & Armyworms • Orthene or Acephate 75 SP • 1tsp/gal • Slugs • Metaldehyde Bait Pellets • Keep area free of plant debris, boards, paper, etc • Bloodworms • Keep Algae under control

More Related