The global market for vegetables and flowers ask for cultivation methods that are sustainable. Soilless Culture systems play an important role in fulfilling this requirement. Growing horticulture plants on a soilless culture is a complex subject. In this global playing field, the latest knowledge on growing media, plant physiology and water & nutrition management are important to make well-founded choices. By attending this Masterclass you will learn the basics of soilless culture and how to execute, report and evaluate the factors involved.
Programme and topics
The course offers an attractive mix of lectures, greenhouse and laboratory visits and practical experiments/assignments. There is ample time to interact with the experts from Wageningen Univerity & Research and other participants. Together you will explore the world of soilless culture.
The course gives participants an in-depth understanding of:
- Growing systems incl. technical lay-out in relation to required crop demands
- Growing media and its applications in practice
- Water quality and plant nutrition; learn to analyse reports and act accordingly
- Calculation of nutrient solutions and translate into fertilizer recipes
- Manage (execute, report and evaluate) water and fertilisation strategies
Target group
This Masterclass is designed for professionals working in horticultural companies, consultants and technical suppliers with an interest in technical-, process- or crop related topics. For instance managers, supervisors, business operators and owners involved in making decisions and managing cultivation systems.
Course deliverables
The aim of this course is to learn the basics of soilless culture and understand how to apply horticultural principles in the cultivation, use and management of plants in various soilless production situations. Examples for different horticultural crops are on the agenda.
Course leaders
The course leaders are ing. W. (Wim) Voogt, ir. C. (Chris) Blok and ing. E. A. (Erik) van Os, Wageningen University & Research, Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture.