Elemental bioavailability in nutrient solutions in relation to dissociation reactions

In general in hydroponic plant nutritional research as well as in commercial hydroponic plant cropping, the actual nutritional composition is supposed to be exactly the same as the desired one. Furthermore, it is supposed that the nutrients are present in the nutrient solution as free ions. This way of thinking does not take into account the dissociation, complexation, and precipitation reactions occurring in nutrient solutions. These chemical reactions seriously impact elemental speciation and bioavailability. As a result, plants will experience a completely different nutritional composition. An accurate description of the chemical reactions occurring in nutrient solutions gives an accurate insight into mineral composition offered to the plants. This additional information is a valuable tool in interpreting specific effects of the mineral composition of the nutrient solution on dependent variables. A good knowledge of the chemical reactions occurring in nutrient solutions is the first prerequisite in hydroponic plant nutritional research. In this study, the dissociation reactions occurring in nutrient solutions were investigated in which dissociation reactions of phosphate and carbonate influence both the mineral composition of the nutrient solutions and their bioavailability.