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Conductivity measurement hydroponics (CAT#: STEM-PPA-0027-WXH)

Introduction

Similar to fertilizer application, conductivity is used in hydroponics to monitor the concentrations of nutrient solutions. If the conductivity gets too high, indicating a nutrient concentration at toxic levels, plants may be harmed or die. Low conductivities can indicate inadequate nutrient supply. Conductivity monitoring can be used as part of automated nutrient supply systems. In addition to monitoring nutrient supply, conductivity measurements can be used to make sure that salt concentrations are in the range tolerated by the plant.




Principle

Conductivity is the measure of the ability of any solution to pass an electrical current. Conductivity is usually affected by free ions which are dissolved in any solution. The ions can be chloride, sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, sodium, magnesium, iron, calcium, or aluminum.

Applications

Agricultural and Hydroponics Applications

Procedure

1. Use a conductivity standard solution (usually potassium chloride or sodium chloride) to calibrate the meter for the range that you will be measuring.
2. Rinse the probe with distilled or deionized water.
3. Select the appropriate range beginning with the highest range and working down. Read the conductivity of the water sample. If the reading is in the lower 10 percent of the range, switch to the next lower range. If the conductivity of the sample ex ceeds the range of the instrument, you may dilute the sample. Be sure to perform the dilution according to the manufacturer's directions because the dilution might not have a simple linear relationship to the conductivity.
4. Rinse the probe with distilled or deionized water and repeat step 6 until finished.

Materials

Conductivity Meters