Can anyone help me find the directions for the making the nutrient solution for Activity 6.1.2 Detecting Nutrient Problems? I am confused on how to make the the nutrient solution for the Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. I have read the La Motte Plant Nutrition Studies book but I am still confused. What are the directions specifically. I am doing this section this week.
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I know how to test the plant tissues for N, P, and K but I am confused on how to make a nutrient deficient solution for N, P, and K. Any ideas?
6.1.2 Teachers Notes: Each pair of students will have a growing solution that will be nutrients for either nitrogen, phosphorous, or potassium. You will need to provide new growing solution for the experiments every two weeks. To accommodate this requirement, follow the steps according to the LaMotte Plant Nutrition Kit. You can make up the solutions for each nutrient deficiency ahead of time and store it in a refrigerator if needed.
Students will not know the missing element in their solution containers. They will need to determine the missing element from anatomical symptoms and tissue testing. Clearly label each nutrient container with either “A”, “B”, or “C” for identification purposes at the end of the trial period. Make sure you record the formulation for symbol for accurate reporting at the end of the test.
The way I made solutions this year was by using hydroponics with tomatoes. I had 3 basic wick systems made with plastic coffee cans. I found 3 different types of water soluble fertilizers (miracle grow and a knock off) at the feed store and walmart that were high in each N, P, and K. I mixed according to directions for 1 gallon. I then added 25 ml of the solution every other week to the coffee cans and water mixture. The experiment worked well doing it that way. The other way I did it the first year was growing lettuce in straight soil that I mixed urea for the N. I went to the feed store and found straight Phosphorus and Potassium and mixed it into the soil. I had 2 bags of soil and grew the lettuce in 10in pots. I would put the soil in the pot with 5-10 ounces of nutrients and mix around. The one lettuce with the N died after 3 weeks probally becuase of the high amount of N in urea but it made for a good test.
I don't have the kit instructions here, but I believe you mix either three or four solutions total. Following the LaMotte instructions, mix one solution with all nutrients (not 100% sure you need this one, but it makes sense), one missing N, one missing P, and one missing K. The solutions missing an ingredient should contain the remaining nutrients. If this doesn't help, can you scan and email the instructions from the kit to me? I will try to decipher and help that way.
Okay, found the kit instructions online.
To mix each solution start with 1 liter of distilled water (if more solution is needed increase solutions accordingly). Add the stock solutions to the DH2O as directed. Note that your container will need to be larger than 1 liter to add the solutions (especially the nitrogen deficient solution).
Complete solution:
- 1 liter DH2O
- 5ml Stock Solution #1
- 2ml Stock Solution #2
- 5ml Stock Solution #3
- 1ml Stock Solution #4
- 1ml Stock Solution #9
- 1ml Stock Solution #10
Nitrogen deficient solution:
- 1 liter DH2O
- 2ml Stock Solution #2
- 10ml Stock Solution #5
- 5ml Stock Solution #6
- 200ml Stock Solution #8
- 1ml Stock Solution #9
- 1ml Stock Solution #10
Phosphorus deficient solution:
- 1 liter DH2O
- 4ml Stock Solution #1
- 2ml Stock Solution #2
- 6ml Stock Solution #3
- 1ml Stock Solution #9
- 1ml Stock Solution#10
Potassium deficient solution:
- 1 liter DH2O
- 5ml Stock Solution #1
- 2ml Stock Solution #2
- 10ml Stock Solution #5
- 1ml Stock Solution #9
- 1ml Stock Solution #10
Hope this helps - let me know if you have any other questions.
I have attached pictures of the instructions I used to complete the activity. It is on a little bifold paper in the lamotte plant tissue kit. This is the activity we did that used the corn leaves. Y'all cut up the corn leaves into tiny pieces, placed them in a tube and added extracting solution and shook for several minutes. After that, ya'll took the solution out and placed them into the white tray for the nitrate test. This experiment was the one that had the pepto pink color. The rest of the experiment is on the pictures. This activity took place the beginning of the 2nd week I think. Hope this helps