Greenhouse Soybean Cultivation and Maintenance

At the Plant Care FacilityUniversity of Illinois

Nathan A. Deppe, PCF Coordinator

Plant Care Facility - InformationComprised of

Three Greenhouse ComplexesTurner Hall

Greenhouse Built circa 1965 (3

phases) 30 bays for research,

demonstration, and education based plant materials

Conventional materials only (no regulated plants or organisms)

Greenhouse ComplexesPlant Sciences

Laboratory GreenhouseBuilt circa 198565 bays Variety of research

and education based materials

Biosafety level 1 and 2 for research with regulated plants and organisms

Greenhouse Complexes - Cont.USDA Greenhouse

Built in 200510 baysSpecialized soybean

and maize research (APHIS permitted materials)

Biosafety level 1 and 2 containment

Greenhouse Complexes-Cont.In total, 100 bays

for plant material

Approximately 1 hectare in area

Used by College of ACES, Department of Plant Biology, USDA-ARS, and private companies

Plant Types at PCFPlant Collections

Tropical and sub-tropical plants

Ferns, epiphytes, succulents

Horticultural CropsFloral, bedding, and

vegetable cropsAgronomic Crops

Small cereal grainsPerennial grassesMaize and sorghumSoybean

Greenhouse StaffThree Greenhouse

Section Managers Building Operating

EngineerSoil Operations

ManagerPlant Biology StaffPCF ClerkPart-time Student

Employees

Substrate Selection and PreparationFor superior soybean research at the Plant Care Facility

Soilless Based ProductsPlug and Seedling Mix

Fafard product (fine peat and perlite)

Medium PorositySunshine Loose

Compact #1 (LC1)Contains medium grade

peat and perlite High Porosity

Metro-Mix 900Peat, perlite, bark, and

vermiculite

Benefits of Soilless SubstratesLightweight construct makes for easier handlingVessels/pots are less heavy to transportBetter infiltration of water and nutrientsPeat offers superb cation-exchange capacityIncreased ability to leach salts

RECOMMENDATIONS:Use medium porosity mixes during colder months and high

porosity mixes during warmer monthsTry a variety of mixes to see what performs best for your

research Do not overheat if pasteurizing or sterilizing prior to use

Potential pH AdjustmentpH of soilless

substrates are generally low (5-6.5)

Adjust using dolomitic limestone

Incorporate mechanically in mix

Suspend in liquid and leach thru soil profile

Mineral Soil Based ProductsLocal topsoil

blended with:Sand (fine or

medium grade)PeatPerliteVermiculiteCalcined claySoilless bagged

mixesNutritive

amendments

Preparing Soil Substrate MixesShred local topsoil

to fine tilthMix ingredients in

batch mixerLoad into

pasteurization soil cart

Pasteurize at 175 F for 1 hour

Transport to site

Popular Soybean Soil MixesConventional Soybean Mix

Mix and pasteurize 1:1:1 (soil : sand : perlite (by volume))

Transgenic Soybean MixMix and pasteurize 2:1 (conventional soybean mix : metro-

mix 900 (by volume))

RECOMMENDATIONS:Use on small scale plantings if you are unfamiliar with soil

mixesDo not use in tall columnar pots as sinking soil will drastically

increase bulk density thereby plugging drainage

Monitor Soil PasteurizationSoil pasteurization

is required to destroy:Soil borne diseasesWeed seedInsects

Pasteurizing at high temps on long cycles can lead to:Manganese toxicity

in soybean

Substrate FertilityFor excellent soybean growth at the Plant Care Facility

Water Soluble vs. Slow ReleaseSlow Release

FertilizerIncorporate into

substrateTopdress Aim for one

applicationOsmocote products

13-13-13 (8-9 mo) 15-9-12 (8-9 mo) 17-5-11 (5-6 mo)

Water Soluble FertilizersWater Soluble Fertilizer

Constant feed or pulse fertilization

Easy to dose by concentration of N,P,K (ppm)

Multiple formulations for diverse plant types and growth stages

Everris Products Peter’s Excel

15-5-15 cal-mag Peter’s Professional

15-0-15 15-5-25 20-20-20

Fertilizer RecommendationsIf using slow release products, water soluble

fertilizers can be applied as needed during plant cycle

Make sure to frequently leach salts from soil column as to not increase electrical conductivity past point of damage

Determine the alkalinity of your water supply to help you select the most compatible water based fertilizers at your facility

Keep phosphorous in check

Integrated Pest ManagementMinimizing insects, mites, and disease on plants at the PCF

Cultural, Biological, and Chemical ControlCultural Control

for Managing PestsSanitary conditionsRemoval of pest

infested materialImplement sound

irrigation and fertilization regimes

Keeping plants spaced and rooms organized

Sanitation thru Heat TreatmentHeat Treating

(baking) Greenhouse RoomsIncreasing room temp to

over 100 F for a period of days

Minimizes insects, mites, and pathogens

Exercise caution as to not over heat room thereby damaging electronics or shade materials

Biological Control AgentsBCA Program at

PCFDamage thresholds

established per research objectives

Weekly scouting for insect and mite damage on soybean

Order and release BCAs monthly

BCAs Used at the PCFAmblyseius californicus

Predatory mite that feeds on two-spotted spider mites

Packaged with vermiculite carrierBreeding sachets for slow release

Amblyseius cucumeris Predatory mite that feeds on thripsPackaged with bran carrierSprinkled liberally on infested plant leaf

surfaces

BCAs Used at the PCF – Cont.Cryptolaemus montrouzieri

Predatory beetle used to control mealy bugPurchased in small incrementsReleased from plastic container

Encarsia formosaParasitic wasp used to control whiteflyPupae adhered to card and releases into

canopy once pupates into adult

BCAs Used at the PCF – Cont.Orius spp

Minute pirate bug predates on thripsProduce/rear our own supply of Orius sppEggs laid on fresh bush bean podsBean pods disseminated once eggs hatch

nymphsOthers

Amblyseius (Typhlodromips) swirskii – Controls thrips and whitefly

Phytoseiulus persimilis - Controls mites

Chemical Control of PestsChemicals are

Applied as Required to:Disinfect flats, pots,

surfaces, etc. from pathogens

Kill insects, mites, and diseases when above thresholds

Decrease prey (pest) populations to allow BCAs to effectively work

BCA and Chemical ControlPrior to starting a biological control program,

ensure you have a supplier that can deliver/ship BCAs next-day

Determine BCAs needed by prey, room environment, plant type and rotation

List and procure chemicals that can be applied post-biological release in case prey populations increase

Do not give up if immediate results are not observed

Questions?

Thanks!

Nathan A. DeppeUniversity of IllinoisPCF Coordinator1201 S. Dorner DrUrbana, Il 61801Email: ndeppe@illinois.eduWebsite: pcf.aces.illinois.eduPhone: 217-333-3058