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: [email protected]: pcf.aces.illinois.eduPhone: 217-333-3058