Pour Thru Method of Soil Testing for Greenhouse Crops

Summary

This video provides an insightful look into the importance of soil testing for greenhouse crop production, focusing on the 'leachate poor throw it method.' This technique allows growers to monitor plant nutrition during the growing season without disturbing the plants. By saturating the soil, collecting the leachate, and analyzing it for pH and other nutrients, growers can gain valuable insights into their crop's health. The method is simple and effective, making it a great tool for ongoing plant monitoring. For more details, viewers are encouraged to explore the UMass Extension Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture website.

Takeaways

• 😀 Soil testing is essential for successful greenhouse crop production, helping to monitor and manage nutrient levels.
• 😀 The leachate pour-through method is a technique for analyzing soil and plant nutrition without disturbing the plants.
• 😀 The leachate pour-through method is particularly useful for ongoing monitoring throughout the growing season.
• 😀 To use the leachate pour-through method, select at least five plants from a group of a thousand to ensure representative results.
• 😀 Water the plants to saturation one hour before testing, ensuring water is coming out of the bottom of the pot.
• 😀 Either a fertilizer solution or plain water can be used for saturation before performing the leachate test.
• 😀 After saturation, place the pot in a saucer and add enough distilled water to collect 50 milliliters of leachate.
• 😀 For a six-inch pot, approximately two and a half fluid ounces of water is needed to get 50 milliliters of leachate.
• 😀 The leachate can be analyzed using a pH or EC meter, or sent to a lab for more detailed nutrient analysis.
• 😀 More information on soil sampling, testing, and interpretation can be found on the UMass Extension greenhouse crops and floriculture website.

Q & A

What is the leachate pour-through method in soil testing?

The leachate pour-through method is a soil testing technique where water is applied to a plant until it drains from the pot. The collected water (leachate) is then analyzed for nutrient content without disturbing the plant.

How many plants should be selected for soil testing using the leachate pour-through method?

At least five plants should be selected from a large group (preferably 1,000 or more) to ensure a representative sample for soil testing.

What is the purpose of watering plants to saturation before conducting the leachate pour-through test?

Watering plants to saturation ensures that water drains out of the bottom of the pot, allowing for the collection of leachate, which can then be analyzed for various nutrients.

Why is it important to wait an hour after watering the plants before collecting the leachate?

Waiting an hour allows the water to fully saturate the soil and ensures that enough leachate is produced for testing, providing more accurate results.

What type of water should be used when collecting leachate from the plant pots?

Distilled water should be used to irrigate the plants, as it ensures that the results are not influenced by additional minerals or chemicals present in tap water.

What volume of leachate should be collected during the test?

You should aim to collect 50 milliliters of leachate from the bottom of the pot. For a six-inch pot, this typically requires about two and a half fluid ounces of water.

Can the leachate pour-through test be done at home, or is it necessary to send the sample to a lab?

The leachate pour-through test can be done at home using a pH or EC pen for basic analysis. However, for more detailed analysis of nutrients, it may be better to send the sample to a lab.

Why is the leachate pour-through method not ideal for casual or infrequent testing?

The leachate pour-through method is more suitable for ongoing monitoring of plant nutrition throughout the growing season. It is not ideal for casual, one-time testing because it requires consistency and regular testing to be effective.

What additional analyses can be conducted on the leachate sample besides pH?

In addition to pH, the leachate sample can be analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC) and other nutrients, which helps assess the overall nutrient levels available to the plants.

Where can more information about soil sampling, testing, and analysis be found?

More information on soil sampling, testing, and analysis is available on the UMass Extension Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture website.