Presentation by Sam Doty, University of Arkansas Graduate Horticulture Student, to Carroll County Arkansas Master Gardeners on his research comparing different methods of hydroponic cultivation.

1. Greenhouses, Hydroponics
and Basil
Sam Doty
M.S. Graduate Student - Horticulture
University of Arkansas

3. Greenhouse types
● Quonset style
● Gothic
● Venlo

4. Greenhouse types
● High tunnels
● Hoop house
● Other homemade types

5. Greenhouses
● Also called “Controlled Environment Agriculture” or CEA
● Made of many different materials
○ Glass
○ Polycarbonate
○ Plastic Sheeting
○ Fiberglass
○ Acrylic

6. Greenhouse Benefits
● Extended seasons
● Control over environmental conditions
○ Temperature
○ Humidity
○ Supplemental lighting
○ CO2
● Less loss, more uniform product
● Pest exclusion

7. Greenhouse Problems
● Pest spread rapidly
● Equipment failure can cause complete loss
● Expensive to run and maintain
○ Large initial investment unless homemade

8. Hydroponics
● Also includes “Soil-less” growth systems
● Uses a circulating nutrient solution that contains all macro
and micro nutrients that specific crop needs
○ Generally requires water pump or air bubbler
● Several different types all with pros and cons
● Faster crop turn
● Saves water and fertilizer

9. Hydroponics - Media
● Oasis foam
● Rockwool
● Hydraton
● Lava rock

10. Propagation
● Trays that are periodically flooded
● Nutrient solution pumped from tank
● Oasis or rockwool media kept in sheets

11. NFT
● Nutrient film technique
● Thin layer of water runs through gutters
○ Slight slope at approximately .5 L/min
● Roots exchange oxygen at water surface

12. Dutch Buckets
● Buckets filled with
soilless media
● Periodically pump
nutrient solution to
each bucket
● Good for fruit
bearing crops
● Provides support

13. Deep Flow
● Tanks filled with nutrient solution
● Foam board floats on surface
● Net pots in presized holes
● Air bubble pumped into solution

14. Ebb and Flood
● Tanks flooded with nutrient solution
○ Some floors can be flooded
● Can have media
○ Or be empty for use with pots
● Common with commercial growers

15. Basil - Common Cultivars
● Genovese
● Opal
● Lemon

16. Basil - Common Cultivars
● Cinnamon
● Sweet Thai

17. Basil - Growth Requirements
● Drainage
● Warm temperatures
● 6-8 hours of sunlight
● 6 - 7pH
● Regular fertilization

18. Common Basil Pests
● Thrips
● Aphids
● Japanese Beetles
● Grasshoppers
● Slugs
● Cutworms, Loopers and other Lepidoptera
● Flea Beetles
https://www.uaex.edu/publications/mp-144.aspx

19. Common Basil Diseases
● Fusarium Wilt
● Downy Mildew
● Powdery Mildew
● Damping off (pithium)
● Bacterial spot

20. Questions??