Author: Russell Muntifering
Planning Unit: Nicholas County CES
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Plan of Work: New Agriculture Opportunities
Outcome: Initial Outcome
In 2021 a small-scale greenhouse owner/operator in Nicholas County reported some issues with productivity, health and overall appearance of his plants that he attributed without evidence to the municipal water source. He was advised by the UK Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory that his problem was more likely due to elevated soluble-salt concentration in his soilless media resulting from overapplication of Epsom salts. In 2022 he switched his irrigation water source to a rain-fed cistern that also supplies water for domestic household use, but he continued to experience the same issues in the greenhouse that he had the previous year. By helping him conduct a little side-by-side experiment comparing much more conservative (monthly) vs. very generous use of Epsom salts as he had been doing the past two years, he was able to see and learn for himself that his soluble-salt problem was not due to the municipal water supply, but rather to overapplication of Epsom salts. He has since modified his nutrient management accordingly.
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