Delta EC - What is it?

The delta EC is the difference between the drip EC and the EC in the substrate. The EC of the water around the roots has an influence on how easily the plant can take up the water.

So for example:

• EC in Substrate 3 – Drip EC 3 = No change in EC around the roots so uptake is not changed = Neutral effect on plant balance, no effect on the speed of fruit swelling.
• EC in Substrate 3 – Drip EC 4 = Increase in EC around the roots so uptake is more difficult = Generative effect on plant balance, reduction in the speed of fruit swelling.
• EC in Substrate 4 – Drip EC 2 = Decrease in EC around the roots so uptake is easier = Vegetative effect on plant balance, increase in the speed of fruit swelling.

Under normal circumstance this is not a problem in itself, however during the critical periods of the Season Dynamics it is more important.

It is also influenced by light levels, fruit load, volume of substrate, dripper output and of course temperature especially night / day differential. So the important thing about our recommendation is that growers are aware of it and the potential control potential and dangers.

It is most important during our Period 1 in our Daily Dynamics with the first watering’s of the day especially before the plant is active. A big delta EC during this period will cause fruit splitting especially on some of the truss cocktail varieties.