Hydroponics and Protected Cultivation

A comprehensive, practical text which covers a diverse range of hydroponic and protected cropping techniques, systems, greenhouse types and environments. It also details the use of indoor plant factories, vertical systems, organic hydroponics and aquaponics. Worldwide hydroponic cropping operations can vary from large, corporate producers running many hectares of greenhouse systems particularly for crops such as tomato, cucumber, capsicum and lettuce, to smaller-scale growers growing fresh produce for local markets. Included in this book: Detailed technical information to help growers and students to design and run their own hydroponic operations. In-depth research to explain the factors that influence plant growth, produce quality, post-harvest life and hydroponic plant nutrition. New advances such as the use of organic nutrients and substrates, completely enclosed indoor plant factories and the growing number of small-scale, non-commercial applications. Hydroponics and Protected Cultivation is fully illustrated with colour images and photographs to illustrate key topics and help identify problem areas. It is suitable for growers, researchers and students in horticulture.

Author Biography

Dr Lynette Morgan holds a B.Hort.Tech(Hons) degree and a PhD in Horticultural Science (greenhouse crop production) from Massey University in New Zealand. Her PhD thesis focused on hydroponic tomato production in both NFT and media systems and improvement of fruit quality aspects. Now a partner in SUNTEC International Hydroponic Consultants, and with over 25 years’ experience in the industry, Lynette is involved in many aspects of hydroponic and greenhouse production, including remote consultancy services for new and existing commercial greenhouse growers and other organisations worldwide, as well as research trials and product development for manufacturers of horticultural products. Lynette has also presented seminars, key note addresses, research papers and technical workshops at a number of hydroponic conferences in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada and Mexico. As a part time tutor with ACS (Australian Correspondence School) Lynette is involved with biochemistry, hydroponics (beginner to advanced courses), plant breeding, tissue culture and aquaponics subjects. Lynette is also the author of six hydroponic technical books designed to provide basic to advanced technical information for growers, students and researchers and regularly contributes to a number of industry publications. She has contributed 24 Key Topic datasheets for the CABI Horticulture compendium since 2015 and prior to that wrote crop datasheets for the Crop Protection Compendium. Lynette is also a member of the CABI Horticulture Board.