Hydroponic Crop Production Experiential Education
Program in Controlled Environment Agriculture
Dr. Patricia
Rorabaugh, Plant Sciences, The University of
Arizona
Every year, as part of our
introductory (PLS 217) and advanced (PLS 394) classes in hydroponics and
controlled environment agriculture, an experiment to study some aspect of
importance to the industry is performed. Research topics have
included comparisons of various types of non-soil rooting medias,
comparisons of heat tolerant tomato varieties for use in warmer climates
and the use of grafted as opposed to non-grafted tomato plants to possibly
increase growth and yield. Students involved in this research gain
academic knowledge of hydroponics and controlled environment agriculture
as well as hands-on practical experience and skills in production
techniques and cultural practices using tomatoes as a model plant.
Those who have been involved in the research include students formally
enrolled in the classes mentioned above, paid student workers, visiting
scientists and students who are either involved in special programs or who
require these skills for advanced work in other
projects.
Cooperators: Dr. Merle Jensen, Dr. Chieri Kubota,
Dr. Gene Giacomelli
Technical support: Mr. Mark Kroggel and Mr. Stephen
Kania
In Progress |
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}
.gif){kind=small}