Project properties
Title Functional aquatic systems in hydroponic growing systems
Group Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group
Project type thesis
Credits 24-36
Supervisor(s) Tycho Vermeulen (Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture)
Edwin Peeters (WU Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group)
Examiner(s) Marten Scheffer
Contact info edwin.peeters@wur.nl
Tycho.vermeulen@wur.nl
Begin date 2014/01/02
End date 2014/12/24
Description Hydroponic cultivation is the growing system of the future. In such systems plants are grown without substrate, with their roots directly in water. This way of production allows for more efficient use of water and better crop management. However, the water will inevitably host a wide diversity of life. These new ecosystems that develop are poorly understood, while uncontrollable spread of root diseases affects the reliability of the production system.
In order to better understand the development of ecosystems in hydroponic growing systems a survey of research data as well as some designed intervention studies need to be performed. Hydroponic systems are being studied at different research stations in The Netherlands as well as Belgium. So far only limited attention has been given to disease incidence and ecosystem development within these systems.
A thesis study would:
- Analyse research data from studies over the last 4 years on hydroponic systems, looking for correlations between production factors (light, pH, organic matter, O2-supply, water movement) and observations and data on microfauna and water related plant diseases.
- Design and perform an intervention study at the research facility of Wageningen UR in Bleiswijk. At this facility a greenhouse compartment is equipped with 10 basins for lettuce production. An intervention study could focus on factors such as pH control or active inoculation of (possible) beneficial organisms.
Used skills
Requirements courses in basic ecology, water quality