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Identification for Ion-based Fertigation Control in Soilless Greenhouse Cultivation

Authors:van Straten Gerrit, Wageningen University, Netherlands
van Dijk G.J., Wageningen University, Netherlands
van Ooteghem R.J.C., Wageningen University, Netherlands
Gieling Th. H., Agrotechnology and Food Innovations BV, Netherlands
Janssen H.J.J., Agrotechnology and Food Innovations BV, Netherlands
Mulckhuijse W.F., Hydrion BV, Netherlands
Topic:8.1 Control in Agriculture
Session:Control for Agricultural Facilities
Keywords: greenhouses, fertigation, feedback control, plant nutrition, identification

Abstract

Progress in instrumentation and the need for quality control stimulate the rethinking of irrigation and fertilisation (fertigation) of crops in greenhouses. Feedback control using ion specific electrodes in the drain offers opportunities for automatic demand satisfaction. The fertigation system is characterised by pulse-wise water supply, which puts unconventional challenges to the measurement system. Limitations from practice require identification and control design procedures to be robust and simple. This paper introduces a reduced model for the system and describes the practical identification of the nutrient dynamics in a measurement gully on a time scale that is relevant to the crop.