When a plant uses a nutrient from a chemical "salt" molecule supplied in a nutrient solution, it is actually using only one part of that molecule. The remaining part of that molecule generally stays in the hydroponic system and eventually can reach damaging levels of concentration.This process, which often happens in traditional agriculture where heavy fertilizer concentrations are applied to soil crops, is referred to as salt-build up. By testing our nutrient solution daily. we can monitor the salt levels.
If the salt levels are rising. the concentration will be higher and therefore our EC reading will be higher. In our hydroponic system, it is quite easy to resolve the problems associated with salt build-up by flushing the growing medium or replacing our nutrient solution with a fresh mix.In the soil, once salt concentrations reach toxic levels, it is difficult to correct and often makes what was once excellent farm soil unusable. The problem is exacerbated by the salts being washed and flushed into our waterways, rivers and streams where they are also toxic to fish, birds and other wildlife.
If the salt levels are rising. the concentration will be higher and therefore our EC reading will be higher. In our hydroponic system, it is quite easy to resolve the problems associated with salt build-up by flushing the growing medium or replacing our nutrient solution with a fresh mix.In the soil, once salt concentrations reach toxic levels, it is difficult to correct and often makes what was once excellent farm soil unusable. The problem is exacerbated by the salts being washed and flushed into our waterways, rivers and streams where they are also toxic to fish, birds and other wildlife.
