Water is essential for plant nutrition because it participates in photosynthesis, helps maintain the plant's internal temperature, and most importantly, delivers all of the nutrients in the soil to the roots, allowing the plant to receive the nutrients it requires. As a result, the type of water we use has a big impact on plant nutrition, and we must ensure that we are watering with the finest quality water available. This is very useful when we want to grow enormous, high-THC (and/or CBD) buds.
UNWANTED SUBSTANCES IN WATER
To begin with, every tap water includes CHLORINE in some form or another. Chlorine is a chemical that has been added to drinking water to kill bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. In addition, chlorine levels are raised during the summer to limit the proliferation of these germs.
Water contains dissolved elements such as mineral salts and HEAVY METALS in addition to chlorine. The term "heavy metals" refers to a group of metals that have a harmful effect on living things despite not being essential.
Cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), and lead (Pb), among other elements, can build up in the plant and travel to the humans through consumption.
WHAT WATER QUALITY ARE YOU USING?
Water has two qualities: soft and hard, which are determined by the quantity of mineral salts in it. The classification is based on the concentration of minerals they contain, with 1 mg of contaminant/l equalling 1 ppm as the unit of measurement.
WHAT IS HARD WATER?
Hard water is defined as water with a high concentration of dissolved minerals. It mostly contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. The provided range for hard water is 200 to 400 mg/l, whereas the range for very hard water is 400 to 550 mg/l. In typically, tap water has a dissolved oxygen content of 170-400 mg/l. While this type of water is not hazardous to humans, it is damages many plants.
Soft water, on the other hand, contains extremely little minerals. Water with a hardness of less than 150 mg/l is considered very soft, while water with a hardness of 150 to 200 mg/l is considered soft. It varies from country to country.
ION EFFECTS ON IRRIGATION!
Certain crops may be susceptible to the presence of moderate to high quantities of particular ions in irrigation waters or soil solution, in addition to salinity and salt risks. At very low concentrations, several trace elements are harmful to plants. Both soil and water testing can aid in the discovery of potentially harmful elements. Some chemical constituents in irrigation water can cause direct toxicity to crops, such as boron, chloride, and salt, which are all potentially hazardous to plants. Depending on the crop, the exact concentration of an element in water that causes hazardous effects varies. Chemical processes may inactivate an element introduced to the soil by irrigation. It could also build up in the soil until it reaches dangerous levels. A crop may be instantaneously poisonous to an element at a specific concentration in water. Alternatively, it may take several years for it to build in the soil before it becomes harmful.
IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY
Chemical laboratory analysis is the best way to determine the quality of irrigation water. The following are the most essential elements in determining the suitability of water use in agriculture:
- PH
- Sodium Poisoning (Sodium Adsorption Ration or SAR)
- Carbonate and bicarbonate levels in relation to Ca. and Mg. levels
All these can be monitored through various tests. Netsol plants help in maintaining the mineral level in water for plant growth.