Lecture 9

Nutrient solution 1
 Step for nutrient formulation
derivation
1. Nutrient requirement - varies among crop
species. Need to analyze nutrient content in
plant sample and nutrient solution - will
know the requirement at different growth
stage
2. Create nutrient formulation – refer to
journals and compare with experiences ->
choose fertilizer component and can
determine amount of element required
3. Test the formulation – test for the element
balance in nutrient solution. Evaluate the
results and apply for commercial
 Derivation of a Fertilizer
formulation

Important components:
A. A given nutrient formulation
B. Types of fertilizers/salts
C. molecular weight of
fertilizer/salts (based of atomic
weight)
 N source
1. Mono-ammonium phosphate @ ammonium
dihidrogen phosphate (NH4H2PO4)
2. Di-ammonium phosphate (NH4)2HPO4
3. Ammonium nitrate NH4NO3
4. Ammonium sulphate (NH4)2SO3
5. Calcium nitrate Ca(NO3)2
6. Potassium nitrate KNO3 –provide dissolve
nitrate
• Use 2-3 type of N sources- if too high
seedling injured by high ammonium
• Form absorb – nitrate (NO3-) (in organic)

• Ammnoium (organic)  nitrate (in organic)

• Effect on pH – high nitrate nutrient solution
more acidic and high ammnium  nutrient
solution more alkaline
 P source
1. Mono-ammonium phosphate @ ammonium
dihidrogen phosphate (NH4H2PO4)
2. Di-ammonium phosphate (NH4)2HPO4
3. Triple superphosphate Ca(H2PO4)2  46% P2O5
4. Potassium dihidrogen phosphate @ mono-
potassium phosphate (KH2 PO4)good P
source
 K source
1. KH2 PO4 –commonly used
2. KCl –not recommended
3. KNO3 - commonly used
4. K2SO4- commonly used
 Mg source
1. Kieserite (MgSO4.H2O) – commonly used
because it homogenized in crop
2. Epsom (MgSO4.7H2O) – most soluble mg salt
because high H2O
 Fe source
1. EDTA-Fe @ ethylene di-amine tetra acetic
acid @ iron sodium salt
(C10H12FeN2NaO8.3H20)
– Hydrated form – more soluble
– Reaction with phosphate – in-soluble form [ferric
phosphate, FePO4 or ferrous phosphate,
Fe3(PO4)2]
 Nutrient formulation
• Molar (mol) – 1 quantity in weight (g)
molecule in 1 L water g/L
• Eg. 115g/L = 115 mol
• So change to g/L from ppm

ppm = mg/L = g/1000L = g/m3

e.g. N = 206ppm = 206g/1000L water
 Principle
• When a salts is diluted in water eg. Potassium
phosphate
• Water  solvent
• K2 SO4  solute
• Total solutes as relative to total solvent:
concentration
• ppm  when water is solvent, easy to calculate
in form of gram since 1 milliter water  1
gram
 Example of formulation nutrient calculation
• Cooper formulation(based on formulation
concentration; fertilizer type; molecule weight):

P: 60ppm: Cooper formulation

 60 ppm P is needed
• Fertilizer that provide P is: Potasium dihidrogen
ortofosfat (KH2 PO4)
• Every molecule weight of fertilizer contain:
1 atom K : 2 atom H : 1 atom P and 4
atom O
Atom wt. K= 39; H= 1 P= 31; O=16
Molecule wt. KH2PO4= 136 (39+2(x1)
+31+(4x16)
 so, in 136 g KH2PO4 , contain
31 g P
• To supply 1 g P  136/31 g =
4.39 g KH2 PO4
• If this amount dilute in 1 000 000
g water = 1 000 000 mL = 1000 L
= 1 ppm P  60ppm is needed
• Total fertilizer KH2 PO4 that dilute
in 1000 liter water to achieve 60
ppm P  4.39 x 60 = 263 gram
KH2 PO4
Once 263 g KH2 PO4 dissolved in 1000 L
water, nutrient solution not only contain
60 ppm P, but also K element (potassium)
 In 136 g KH2 PO4 contain 39 g K
 So, 263 g KH2PO4 x 39 g K/ 136 g
KH2PO4 = 75 g K
 KH2PO4 dissolve in 1000L water = K
soluble = 75ppm
 K: 300ppm: Formulasi Cooper
300ppm K is needed:
From P calculation  300-75 = 225 ppm K
only needed without P increment
• Source of K = Kalium nitrat (KN03)
• Molecule wt KN03 = 101g
• In one KN03 molecule contain 1 atom
K, so to get KN03 wt which produce 1
ppm K = 101/39 = 2.59g

• In 101 g KNO3 contain 39 g K

So, total KN03 to produce 225 ppm K is
= 2.59 x 225 = 583 g

With addition of 583 g KN03 to nutrient

solution also will provide element N.
•N in KNO3 is = 14/101

•Total N in 583 g KNO3 = 14/101 x 583= 81 g N

in 583 g KNO3 contain 81 g N
So, KNO3 dissolve in 1000L water = N soluble
= 81 ppm
•
 N: 200ppm: Formulasi Cooper
200ppm N is needed
from calculation  200 – 81 = 119ppm more N
is needed
• N source – Ca(NO3)2.4H20( bentuk anhydrous).
• Molecule wt. = 236 g
•  In one Ca(NO3)2.4H20 molecule contain 1
atom N, so to get Ca(NO3)2.4H20 wt which
produce 1 ppm N = 236/(2 x 14) = 8.43g
Ca(NO3)2.4H20
• In 1 ppm N contain of 8.43 g Ca(NO3)2.4H20 so,
if 119 ppm  119ppm x 8.43 g/1 ppm = 1003
g Ca(NO3)2.4H20
• In 1003 g Ca(NO3)2.4H20 also contain of Ca,
so, 236 g Ca(NO3)2.4H20 contain 40 g Ca
• if 1003g Ca(NO3)2.4H20  1003 g x 40g Ca
/236 g Ca(NO3)2.4H20 = 170g Ca
• In 1003g Ca(NO3)2.4H20 contain 170g Ca, so Ca
dissolve = 170ppm
 Ca: 170ppm: Formulasi Cooper
• From calculation  1003g Ca(NO3)2.4H20
contain 170ppm
• Enough for Ca requirement
• If using other formulation, lack of Ca
happened, so as Ca addition by using CaCl2 or
Ca(SO4)2
• Calculation of formulation should begin with P
requirement and ending with Ca
• So that if lack of Ca can be solved by adding
other Ca fertilizer as mentioned before.
 Mg: 50ppm: Formulasi Cooper
• Source Mg S04. 7H20
• Mg S04. 7H20= BM 246
• 1 g Mg 246/ 24 = 10.25 g Mg S04. 7H20
• In 10.25 g Mg S04. 7H20, contain 1 g Mg
(1ppm)
• So, if 50ppm 50 x 10.25/1 = 513 g Mg S04.
7H20
• Mg S04. 7H20= only supply Mg
 Fe: 12ppm: Formulasi Cooper
• Fe in chelate EDTA form
• Form of FeSO4 – is not suitable because unstable
and difficult to absorb.
• Proses pengkelatan: tindakbalas kimia di antara
kompoun organik dengan ion logam membentuk
kompleks larut air.
• Pengkelatan Fe dengan garam monosodium
ethylene diamine tetra acetic asid (EDTA)
membentuk bahan yang bewarna kekuningan
dan lengai .
• Fe EDTA: CH2N (CH2.. COO2)2 FE Na
• Mol wt. : 367 ; Atom wt. Fe: 56.
• 367 g Fe-EDTA consist of 56 g Fe
• So, 1 g Fe  1 x 367/56 = 6.55 g Fe-EDTA
• in 6.55 g Fe-EDTA contain 1 ppm Fe
• So, if 12 ppm Fe  12 x6.55 /1 = 79g Fe-
EDTA
 Mn: 2ppm: Formulasi Cooper
• Source - Mangan sulfat (Mn S04. H20)
• Mol et. = 169; Mn atom wt. = 55
• In 169g Mn sulphate contain 55 g Mn
• So, 1 g Mn  1 x 169/55 = 3.1 g Mn sulphate
• In 1ppm Mn in 3.1g Mn sulphate
• So, if 2 ppm  2 x 3.1/1 = 6.14 g Mn sulphate
 B: 1.5ppm: Formulasi Cooper
• Source - Boric acid (H3B03)
• Mol wt. boric acid = 62 g; atom wt B = 11g
• In 62 g boric acid contain 11 g B
• So in 1 g  1 x 62 / 11 = 5.64 g boric acid
• 1ppm B in 5.63 g boric acid,
• So, 1.5ppm  1.5x 5.63 /1 = 8.45 g boric acid
• 8.45/5  1.7 g boric acid
 Cu: 0.1ppm: Formulasi Cooper
• Source – Cu sulphate
• Mol wt. Cu sulphate= 250 g; atom wt Cu = 64g
• In 250 g Cu sulphate contain 64 g Cu
• So in 1 g  1 x 250 / 64 = 3.9 g Cu sulphate
• 1ppm Cu in 5.63 g Cu sulphate,
• So, 0.1ppm  0.1 x 3.9 /1 = 0.39 g Cu
sulphate
 Zn: 0.1ppm: Formulasi Cooper
• Source – Zn sulphate
• Mol wt. Zn sulphate= 287 g; atom wt Zn= 65g
• In 287 g Zn sulphate contain 65 g Zn
• So in 1 g  1 x 287 / 65 =4.4 g Zn sulphate
• 1ppm Zn in 4.4 g Zn sulphate,
• So, 0.1ppm  0.1 x 4.4 /1 = 0.44 g Zn
sulphate
 Mo: 0.2ppm: Formulasi Cooper
• Source – ammonium molibdate (AM)
• Mol wt. AM= 1236 g; atom wt Mo= 96g
• In 1236 g AM contain 96 g Mo
• So in 1 g  1 x 1236 / 96 =12.87 g AM
• 1ppm Mo in 12.87 g AM,
• So, 0.2ppm  0.2 x 12.87/1 = 1.3 g AM
• 1.3/3.5  0.37 g AM
A complete total salts/fertilizers meets the requirement
of the Nutrient Formulation is follows
Weights (g) of pure substances to be dissolved in 1000 litres of water
to give theoretically ideal concentrations

Fertilzer/salts Formulae Weight of salts

(g)
Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate KH2PO4 263.00
Potassium nitrate KNO3 583.00
Calcium nitrate Ca(NO3)2.4H2O 1003.00
Magnesium sulphate MgSO4.7H2O 513.00
EDTA Iron CH2N(CH2. COO2)2 FE Na 79.00
Manganese sulphate MnSO4.H2O 6.10
Boric acid H3BO3 1.70
Copper sulphate CuSO4.5H2O 0.39
Zinc sulphate ZnSO4.7H2O 0.44
Ammonium molibdate (NH4)6MO7O24.4H2O 0.37
Readjustment based on impurities
• Assumption: no impurities (Fertilizer is
pure)
• Readjustment on the weight need to be
done based on impurities
• e.g: Ca(NO3)2.4H2O only 90% pure, then
it will necessary to multiply wt of pure
Ca(NO3)2.4H2O (1003g) x 100/90= 1114
grams.
• When dissolved in 1000 litres
will give as solution with EC of
3000 micromhos or 30CF or
3 millimhos if water is
reasonably pure.
 Formulation of stock solutions
• Assumption: substances supplying the
nutrients would be weighed out and
directly dissolved in water re-circulating
solution or nutrient tank of a fertigation
system.
• Practical if only with: manual control was
being used or a small scale production
• NOT applicable with automatic control or
large scale: to prepare STOCK
SOLUTION
 Stock solution
• Merely a concentrated nutrient solution
• A relatively small volume of stock solution
added to the larger volume of re-
circulating water or in nutrient tank in order
to provide the nutrients
• Factor to consider
• 1. Solubility
• 2. Precipitation
 1. Solubility
• a saturated solution contains the
maximum amount of solute that
dissolvable in a given amount of the
solvent at temperature prevailing.
• solubility in cold water Table
• (13g KNO3) dissolves in 100 ml
compare to Ca(NO3)2.4H2O (266g-
readiliy dissolved)
 2. Precipitation
• removing of a substance from solution as a
result of a chemical reaction between 2
dissolved substances which forms a new
less soluble substance which settles out a
solid precipitate.
• in a saturated solution, the product of a
concentration of cations and anions of a
dissolved substances has a value which is
specific to the substance solubility
product.
• when the product of the ions exceeds the
solubility product : a precipitate forms.
• If two substances, which will react
together to form a third less soluble
substances , are dissolved in water, a
precipitate of the third substance will
not form if the volume of water is
sufficiently large relative to the
solubility of a new substance.
• If the volume is not sufficiently large ,
a precipitate will settle out.
 Considerations
1. To avoid precipitation - use different
tanks for different salts & practical
2. large quantities: Ca(NO3)2.4H2O, in
concentrated stock solution NOT
mixing with MgSO4.7H2O
Eg. Ca(NO3)2.4H2O + MgSO4.7H2O
CaSO4 (low solubility –precipitate
form)
• Ca(NO3)2.4H2O + CH2N(CH2. COO2)2
FE Na (Fe EDTA) – no precipitation,
pun as a stock A
• Then the rest in – stock B or split to 3rd
Stock (Stock C)
• CH2N(CH2. COO2)2 FE Na (Fe EDTA)-
no colour change will take place with
Ca(NO3)2.4H2O: reddish brown colour
• But if with other salts: colour gradually
decreases and also precipitation.
• 3. Dissolving Copper sulphate to
Stock B: dissolve separately in a
little water and add to stock or
dissolve first in stock
• (deposit develops on the Copper
sulphate crystals= difficult to
dissolve)
 Type of fertilizers/salts to be used in the formulation

Fertilzer/salts Solubility Molecular

wt.
(g)
Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate 90 263.00
Potassium nitrate (lowest) 13 583.00
Calcium nitrate 266 1003.00
Magnesium sulphate 71 513.00
EDTA Iron Na 79.00
Manganese sulphate 98 6.10
Boric acid 6 1.70
Copper sulphate 31 0.39
Zinc sulphate 96 0.44
Ammonium molibdate 43 0.37
 Quantities for stock solution
• E.g 45 liters stock
• Limitation: solubility /weight of salts
• Relatively
• Eg. KNO3 -large quantities (583g) but
Low solubility (13 g in 100 ml=
• 130g in 1 litre)
• Limitation: KNO3 (solubility)
• If 45 litres stock : it will dissolve
only 130 x 45 = 5850 KNO3
• From calculation: 583 g KNO3 are
required if there 1000 litres of
water
• The greatest concentration of
KNO3 = solubility/concentration
• The greatest concentration of
KNO3 = 5850 = 10.034
583
• 10 fold concentration
• Weight of all salts multiply with
10= weight of salts in stock
solution.
 STOCK SOLUTION
Fertilzer/salts Formulae Weight of salts
(g)

STOCK A

Calcium nitrat Ca(NO3)2.4H2O 10030

EDTA Iron CH2N(CH2. COO2)2 FE Na 790

STOCK B

Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate KH2PO4 2630

Potassium nitrate KNO3 5830
Magnesium sulphate MgSO4.7H2O 5130
Manganous sulphate MnSO4.H2O 61
Boric acid H3BO3 17
Copper sulphate CuSO4.5H2O 3.9
Zinc sulphate ZnSO4.7H2O 4.4
Ammonium molibdate (NH4)6MO7O24.4H2O 3.7
 Fertilzer/salts COSTING Weight of salts
(g)

STOCK A
Calcium nitrat RM 22.06 25KG= RM 55.00 10030
EDTA Iron RM 30.02 1KG = RM 38.00 790

STOCK B
Potassium dihydrogen 25kG= RM 115.00 2630
orthophosphate RM 12.10
Potassium nitrate RM 13.99 25kG= RM 60.00 5830
Magnesium sulphate RM 14.30 25kG= RM 70.00 5130
Manganous sulphate RM 2.38 1 KG= RM 38.00 61
Boric acid RM 0.646 1KG= RM 38.00 17
Copper sulphate RM 0.015 1KG= RM 38.00 3.9
Zinc sulphate RM 1.76 1KG= RM 38.00 4.4
Ammonium molibdate RM 0.60 0.5KG=RM 80.00 3.7

TOTAL COST TO PREPARE 45 LITRE

SOLUTION= RM 97.87
= RM 2.17 PER LITRE
 Nutrient solution maintenance
• 1. concentration
• Electric conductivity (EC) by EC meter
• Unit = siemens (S), mhos, CF (conductivity factor)
• 1 mmhos = 1000 mhos = 10 CF
• Calculation = EC ordinary – EC reading x V nut sol
factor EC ordinary
• E.g. Cooper formulation with EC ordinary =
2.5; EC reading = 2.0; V = 2L

• Calc. Fac = 2.5 – 2.0/2.5 x 2 = 0.4L

2. pH control
• Range 5.5 – 6.5
• To reduce pH = HNO3, H3PO4, H2SO4
• To increase pH = KOH
• Type of acid
1. Safety – H2SO4not safety
2. Water quality –Ca precipitation – blockage, better
use HNO3
Eg. Ca(HCO3)2 + 2HNO3  Ca(NO3)2 + 2CO2 + 2H2O (no precipitation)
+ 2H3PO4  Ca(H2PO4)2 + 2CO2 + 2H2O (not soluble-precipitation)

+ H2SO4  CaSO4 + 2CO2 + 2H2O (precipitation)

3. Effect on the plant. Eg. H3PO4 - is ok for plant
4. Power of neutralization
(high acidic) H2SO4 > HNO3 > H3PO4 (low acidic)
5. Cost of acid
HNO3 <= H2SO4 <= H3PO4 (most expensive)
 For cost and power of neutralization , better use
H2SO4 because its only not safely but pre-caution
can be taken and use high water quality to avoid
precipitation.
 Calculation of acid for 1 Normal
solation
Asid H + equivalence Molecule wt. Specific graviti
HNO3 1 63 1.42
H2SO4 2 98 1.84
H3PO4 3 98 1.75

1M solution = 1 x (mol. Wt) per L

= 63 g HNO3
= 98 g H2SO4
= 98 g H3PO4
1 Normal solution = 1 x (mol. Wt.)/ H + equivalence per L
= 63/1 = 63 g HNO3
= 98/2 = 49 g H2SO4
= 98/3 = 32.7 g H3PO4
Calculation of acid 1 Normal = acid wt (g/L) / Gr. Specific
= 63/1.42 = 44.4 ml HNO3 per L
= 98/1.84 = 26.6 ml H2SO4 per L
= 98/1.75 = 18.7 ml H3PO4 per L
Ca and acid reaction:
Ca(HCO3)2 + 2HNO3  Ca(NO3)2 + 2CO2 + 2H2O (no precipitation)
+ 2H3PO4  Ca(H2PO4)2 + 2CO2 + 2H2O (not soluble-precipitation)

+ H2SO4  CaSO4 + 2CO2 + 2H2O (precipitation)

 Acid quantity for Ca neutralization
1. HNO3 (1N solution= 63 g HNO3)
1 mol Ca = 40g/1000L @ 40ppm = 2 g mol HNO3
1L 1N HNO3 = 1 g mol HNO3 per L
If 2 g mol  2 g mol HNO3 x 1L 1N HNO3 / 1 g mol HNO3
= 2L 1N HNO3
• Quantity 1N acid to neutralize 40ppm Ca in 1000L solution is
2L
• 1L 1N HNO3 = 20 g Ca per 1000L @ 20ppm
• Eg. Calculate quantity of 1N HNO3 to neutralize 2000L water
contain 100 ppm Ca
• Quantity of 1N acid = 100 ppm Ca/ 20 ppm x 2L = 10L 1N
HNO3
2. H2SO4 (1N solution= 49 g H2SO4)
1 mol Ca = 40g/1000L @ 40ppm
1L 1N H2SO4 = ½ g mol. wt H2SO4
If 1 g mol wt  1 g mol wt x 1L 1N H2SO4 / ½ g mol wt H2SO4
= 2L 1N H2SO4
• Quantity 1N acid to neutralize 40ppm Ca in 1000L solution is
2L
• 1L 1N H2SO4 = 40/2 = 20 g Ca in 1000L= 20ppm
• Eg. Calculate quantity of 1N H2SO4 to neutralize 200ppm Ca
in 3000L water
Quantiti of 1N acid = 200 /20 x 3 L = 30L 1N H2SO4
3. H3PO4 (1N solution= 32.7 g H3PO4)
1 mol Ca = 40g/1000L @ 40ppm = 2 g mol H3PO4
1L 1N H3PO4 = 1/3 g mol. wt H3PO4
If 2 g mol wt  2 g mol wt x 1L 1N H3PO4 / 1/3 g mol wt H3PO4
= 6L 1N H3PO4
• Quantity 1N acid to neutralize 40ppm Ca in 1000L solution is
6L
• 1L 1N H3PO4 = 40/6 = 6.7 g Ca in 1000L= 6.7ppm
• Eg. Calculate quantity of 1N H3PO4 to neutralize 200ppm Ca
in 3000L water
Quantiti of 1N acid = 200 /6.7 x 3 L = 90L 1N H2SO4

1N acid quantity = Ca ppm/ g Ca per L x V water

4. H3PO4 concentrated (mol wt = 98 g)
1 mol Ca = 2 mol H3PO4
40 g Ca = 2 x 98 = 196 g H3PO4
If 1 g Ca  1 g Ca x 196 g H3PO4 / 40 g Ca= 4.9 g concentrated
H3PO4
• Specific gravity of H3PO4 = 1.75 (1 ml = 1.75g)
• So, if 4.9 g H3PO4 = 4.9 /1.75 = 2.8 ml concentrated H3PO4
• 1 g Ca can be neutralized by 2.8 ml concentrated H3PO4
• Eg. Calculate quantity of concentrated 1N H3PO4 to neutralize
200ppm Ca in 3000L water
Quantiti of concentrated acid = 2.8 x 200 /1000 x 3 L = 1.68L
concentrated H2SO4

concentrated acid quantity = 2.8 ml x Ca ppm / 1000 x V water

The End