May 14, 2020

UF IFAS Online Training Program Adds New Videos

The University of Florida’s IFAS Extension Greenhouse Training Online program is now offering video content on a new YouTube channel (tinyurl.com/UFGTO).

New videos in English and Spanish walk viewers through the process of petiole sap testing with the guidance of Tatiana Sanchez, UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County commercial horticulture agent.

The videos also include links to bilingual fact sheets in BackPocketGrower.org in the Fertilizer and Nutrients section under Training.

Nitrate and potassium meters are effective tools for growers to do onsite testing of nutrient levels in the sap of greenhouse crops, Sanchez explained. The meters can also be used as a quick check of nutrient level in the fertigation solution, along with pH and electrical conductivity, to make sure that nutrient level is on track.

“Frequent monitoring of nitrogen levels in the hydroponic solution and in the plant sap, is one of the best management practices to avoid nutrient issues and achieve the maximum crop potential” Sanchez said.

Interpretive guidelines are available for major crops such as tomato, pepper, cucumber and strawberries.

The resources are included in upcoming Greenhouse Training Online courses for growers on nutrient management and hydroponic vegetable production (hort.ifas.ufl.edu/training).

More videos are set to be released in the coming weeks.