Question

What causes pH to drop in hydroponics?

Answer 1

Hydroponics:

1. The word “Hydroponics” is derived from the word “hydros” meaning water and “ponos” meaning toil or labor.
2. It is an agricultural technique where plants are grown in a nutrient solution in the complete absence of soil.

pH drop in hydroponics:

1. The pH levels in the hydroponics system change due to several reasons.
2. When the level of the nutrient solution drops below one gallon, it gets more concentrated as plants tend to absorb nutrients.
3. This causes a wide change in the pH levels.
4. Hence, monitoring nutrient solution levels and regulating the testing pH of the reservoir is important.
5. Bacteria and algae are the main influencers of pH levels belonging to the organic matter category.
6. If there is a rise in the pH levels in the morning, there is a drop later in the day for which algae are held responsible.
7. Algae take up acidic CO_2, during the day, hence pH levels rise during the day and fall in the evening.
8. Bacteria from root diseases too can cause a sharp drop in the pH levels.