A new series of expert-led webinars and short courses led by the University of California, Davis, is set to address the pressing challenge in controlled environment agriculture: effective water and nutrient management in hydroponic systems. Designed initially for California growers under the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) grant, the initiative is now being considered for a global audience to amplify its reach and relevance.
"We're organizing these webinars as part of the outreach for the CDFA grant, aiming to provide valuable insights into water and fertilizer management specifically tailored to hydroponic production," explains Saeed Karimzadeh, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at UC Davis. "Although our core audience is California farmers, we recognize the global need for knowledge in this area and are considering opening the sessions internationally."
© UC DavisBrian Jackson, Professor at North Carolina University
A fresh look at nutrient and water use
The webinar series will deliver an in-depth, research-backed examination of how water and nutrients are managed in CEA, especially within greenhouses and vertical farms. According to Saeed, the program distinguishes itself by diving into root zone dynamics and nutrient solution formulation, areas that are often glossed over in traditional horticulture training.
"These webinars are not just a surface-level overview. We aim to deliver unique, detailed insights into nutrient solution formulation and root zone dynamics—topics that are underrepresented in many current educational programs," he says. "Attendees will gain both practical tools and scientific understanding that can help them optimize crop performance and system efficiency."
Beyond EC and pH: introducing advanced metrics
Saeed notes that while the hydroponics industry still heavily relies on basic metrics such as electrical conductivity (EC) and pH for nutrient management, these parameters often miss the bigger picture.
"Current market practices are still dominated by traditional approaches, which can overlook the intricacies of nutrient interactions and root health," he explains. "Through our course series, we want to shift the paradigm toward a more advanced and precise approach that focuses on improving nutrient efficiency, minimizing fertilizer waste due to leaching, and maintaining a healthy root environment."
Expert instructors, covering relevant topics
One of the major strengths of the program lies in the lineup of instructors, who represent leading institutions in the field of CEA. These include the University of California, Davis, Cornell University, and North Carolina State University.
"The instructors are not only renowned academics but also have strong industry ties, bringing a wealth of real-world experience to the table."
Confirmed topics and speakers include:
- Dr. Brian Jackson (North Carolina State University): The role of substrates in crop water and nutrient management (April 9, 2025)
- Dr. Neil Mattson (Cornell University): Top ten tips to save fertilizer and reduce leaching for container crops (April 23, 2025)
- Dr. Amrit Kumar Thakur (UC Davis): Innovative water treatment and harvesting in CEA (May 21, 2025)
- Saeed Karimzadeh (UC Davis): GrowDose™: Your smart recipe calculator for effortless hydroponics (June 11, 2025)
- Dr. Laura Cammarisano (UC Davis): How light affects water and nutrient use in CEA (July 21, 2025)
- Dr. Md Shamim Ahamed (UC Davis): Technological advancements for precision fertigation in hydroponic systems (August 13, 2025)
GrowDose™: precision in a click
Among the highlights of the webinar series is the formal introduction of GrowDose™, a software tool co-developed by Saeed and colleagues at UC Davis. The tool is designed to help growers and researchers create element-based nutrient recipes tailored to specific crops and production goals.
"GrowDose™ enables users to move beyond the guesswork often involved in nutrient management. It allows for customized fertilizer application that maximizes nutrient use efficiency while promoting system sustainability. It's a smart calculator that takes the complexity out of hydroponics."
For more information:
Univervirsity of California Davis
Saeed Karimzadeh, Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
skarimzadeh@ucdavis.edu
www.ucdavis.edu