Maintaining water quality parameters in hydroponics is very important for healthy plant growth. One of the critical water quality parameters for plant growth is ph. You have learnt about ph in you science textbook in grade 7, ph is the acidity or basicity of water. Nutrient mobility transport of nutrients form water to the plant body is bast when water ph is in the range of 6.0 to 7.o. If the ph is 7then then water is neutral. But if ph is more than 7 this means the ph si the value is between 6.5 and 7.0.
Let us check the ph of your hydroponics system. Fo this you will need a strip of ph paper. Check the ph of you hydroponics system using the ph paper. Generally, if the ph is more than 7, then you need to reduce the ph of hydroponics water by adding a weak acid like acetic acid vinegar orcitric acid lime juice. Check the ph of water by following the steps given below in figure 1.11. Note you observations after the experiment with the hydroponics system in table 1.11.
Step 1.Take 1Lof tap water . Check it's ph with with a ph paper strip. It will be neutral
Step 2. Add a cup 2o-30ml of a weak acid. Adjust it's ph to 4 acidic using weak acids like vinegar or citric acid.
Step 3. Add this water to your hydroponics system FWCor NFT. Check the change in the ph value of water.
Step 4. Check it's effect on the growth of plant roots and leaves in 1-30days and nots yous observations.
If the ph a hydroponics system is more acidic you need to add a base to adjust the ph between 6.5 and 7.o.
Vanshi
Verified Author Expert@DigitalDiaryWefru