title: Computer-operated analytical platform for the determination of nutrients in hydroponic systems.
abstract: Hydroponics is a water, energy, space, and cost efficient system for growing plants in constrained spaces or land exhausted areas. Precise control of hydroponic nutrients is essential for growing healthy plants and producing high yields. In this article we report for the first time on a new computer-operated analytical platform which can be readily used for the determination of essential nutrients in hydroponic growing systems. The liquid-handling system uses inexpensive components (i.e., peristaltic pump and solenoid valves), which are discretely computer-operated to automatically condition, calibrate and clean a multi-probe of solid-contact ion-selective electrodes (ISEs). These ISEs, which are based on carbon nanotubes, offer high portability, robustness and easy maintenance and storage. With this new computer-operated analytical platform we performed automatic measurements of K(+), Ca(2+), NO3(-) and Cl(-) during tomato plants growth in order to assure optimal nutritional uptake and tomato production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Marcel·lí Domingo s/n, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia-Spain.
authors.forename: F Xavier
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Rius-Ruiz
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Riu
authors.forename: F Xavier
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Rius
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation / Q000379:methods*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018527:Hydroponics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media
keywords: Automated calibration; Computer-operated; Ion-selective electrodes; Plant growth