Uploaded January 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Fertigation Set Up and Explanation Using a Dosatron System
Professor DeBacco
“Dosatron” = Chemical Injector
Dosatron is a name brand, but is often considered to be the industry standard.
It works in a similar way of other chemical injectors.
This is a water-powered, non-electric chemical injector.
It is easy and reliable way to accurately inject chemicals into water lines.
This class of injectors works by using volumetric proportioning which helps maintain consistent mixing rates despite changes that may occur with water pressure and flow.
Injector In Action
Water Flow
Water enters the Dosatron body
Concentrate is pulled up into the Dosatron
Concentrate mixes with the incoming water
Blended solution is discharged into the water line
Drip/Emitter Irrigation
Each container has a dedicated emitter system that can involve multiple outlets which are especially important for larger containers and plants.
However, be sure there are checks for sediment clogs in the system.
Dosatron System
Efficient method of dosing fertilizer from stock tanks
This reduces the need to mix fertilizer daily and can also ensure consistency of nutrients delivered to the plants.
These are water driven piston pumps that can be set to a ratio and adjust to the flow of water.
There will be a familiar click sound that ensure proper function and can alert you to when something may not be right.
Check valves are recommended (often required) to prevent backflow into a public water supply.
Fertilizing and Cleaning
This system can be used for fertilizing the plants
Same system can also be used for line cleaner
Importance of Filters
Prefilters should be installed to catch anything that comes in the lines before it reaches the Dosatrons.
Intake filters should be at the ends of the tubes in the fertilizer containers
Postfilters should be installed to ensure no large particulate goes out to the emitters from the Dosatrons
System Used
Part A
General Fertilizer
5-12-26
Part B
Calcium nitrate
15-0-0
Part C
Bloom Booster
10-30-20
Irrigation Line/Emitter Cleaner
Root Drip
Hyperchlorous Acid
Check the Product Label for Dosing
Typically stated for a 1:100 ratio which is what the Dosatrons are often set at.
It says add 13oz. Of fertilizer to be added per gallon into the stock feeding tank
*Given this standard ratio it also makes it easy for growers to make adjustments if they chose to.
If you had a 1:200 ratio double the concentration stated
If you had a 1:50 ratio halve the concentration stated
Let Us See it in Action…
Connor will walk us through the fertilizer injector system in action.
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1g4niJUuZSFxCoo3ZMBq2TtccdsSewQ9K/view?usp=share_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Ferigation Set Up and Explanation Using a Dosatron System" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1ruNOi7DS1-0MAUfNafi_Lpk88Uqj8kEf/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
Fertigation Set Up and Explanation Using a Dosatron System
Professor DeBacco
“Dosatron” = Chemical Injector
Dosatron is a name brand, but is often considered to be the industry standard.
It works in a similar way of other chemical injectors.
This is a water-powered, non-electric chemical injector.
It is easy and reliable way to accurately inject chemicals into water lines.
This class of injectors works by using volumetric proportioning which helps maintain consistent mixing rates despite changes that may occur with water pressure and flow.
Injector In Action
Water Flow
Water enters the Dosatron body
Concentrate is pulled up into the Dosatron
Concentrate mixes with the incoming water
Blended solution is discharged into the water line
Drip/Emitter Irrigation
Each container has a dedicated emitter system that can involve multiple outlets which are especially important for larger containers and plants.
However, be sure there are checks for sediment clogs in the system.
Dosatron System
Efficient method of dosing fertilizer from stock tanks
This reduces the need to mix fertilizer daily and can also ensure consistency of nutrients delivered to the plants.
These are water driven piston pumps that can be set to a ratio and adjust to the flow of water.
There will be a familiar click sound that ensure proper function and can alert you to when something may not be right.
Check valves are recommended (often required) to prevent backflow into a public water supply.
Fertilizing and Cleaning
This system can be used for fertilizing the plants
Same system can also be used for line cleaner
Importance of Filters
Prefilters should be installed to catch anything that comes in the lines before it reaches the Dosatrons.
Intake filters should be at the ends of the tubes in the fertilizer containers
Postfilters should be installed to ensure no large particulate goes out to the emitters from the Dosatrons
System Used
Part A
General Fertilizer
5-12-26
Part B
Calcium nitrate
15-0-0
Part C
Bloom Booster
10-30-20
Irrigation Line/Emitter Cleaner
Root Drip
Hyperchlorous Acid
Check the Product Label for Dosing
Typically stated for a 1:100 ratio which is what the Dosatrons are often set at.
It says add 13oz. Of fertilizer to be added per gallon into the stock feeding tank
*Given this standard ratio it also makes it easy for growers to make adjustments if they chose to.
If you had a 1:200 ratio double the concentration stated
If you had a 1:50 ratio halve the concentration stated
Let Us See it in Action…
Connor will walk us through the fertilizer injector system in action.
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1g4niJUuZSFxCoo3ZMBq2TtccdsSewQ9K/view?usp=share_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Ferigation Set Up and Explanation Using a Dosatron System" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1ruNOi7DS1-0MAUfNafi_Lpk88Uqj8kEf/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true








![Preparing Solutions Understanding pH and Water Potential
Molarity, Molality, and Normality
Use molarity when dealing with solution chemistry where volume is easy to measure.
Use molality when temperature varies or when studying boiling/freezing point changes.
Use normality when the reaction involves charge or proton transfer, and equivalents matter.
Molarity (M)
Molarity is the concentration of a solution expressed as moles of solute per liter of solution.
Formula:
𝑀=moles of solute /liters of solution
Key Features:
Depends on volume, which changes with temperature.
Commonly used in aqueous solutions, titrations, and equilibrium calculations.
Molality (m)
Molality (m): is the concentration expressed as moles of solute per kilogram of solvent.
Formula:
𝑚=moles of solute /kg of solvent
Key Features:
Depends on mass, not volume → temperature‑independent.
Used in colligative properties (boiling point elevation, freezing point depression).
Normality (N)
Normality (N): measures concentration in equivalents per liter of solution.
Formula:
𝑁=𝑀×(number of equivalents )
What Counts as an “Equivalent”? Depends on the reaction type:
Acid–base: H⁺ or OH⁻ donated/accepted
Redox: electrons transferred
Precipitation: charge equivalents
Example: 1 M H₂SO₄ → 2 equivalents of H⁺ → 2 N
Core Differences
Molarity: moles of solute per liter of solution
Temperature‑dependent (volume changes)
Most common in equilibrium, kinetics, and titrations
Molality: moles of solute per kilogram of solvent
Temperature‑independent (mass does not change)
Used for colligative properties
Normality: equivalents per liter of solution
Reaction‑specific (acid–base, redox, precipitation)
Useful when stoichiometry involves equivalents rather than moles
Preparing Solutions
Preparing solutions: Always specify if molarity is for the hydrate/salt form (ex. MgCl₂·6H₂O)
Dilutions: C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ (valid for molarity in dilute aqueous solutions).
Understanding the C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ Equation
Dilution is about making a solution less concentrated by adding solvent (usually water). The equation:
𝐶_1 𝑉_1=𝐶_2 𝑉_2
C₁ = initial concentration
V₁ = volume you need to take from the stock
C₂ = final concentration
V₂ = final total volume after dilution
Why it works: The number of moles stays the same before and after dilution
*only the volume changes.
Step‑by‑Step: How to Prepare a Diluted Solution
Identify C₁, V₂, and C₂.
Solve for V₁ using
𝑉_1=(𝐶_2 𝑉_2)/𝐶_1
Measure V₁ of the stock solution.
Transfer to a volumetric flask.
Add solvent until you reach V₂.
Definition of pH
pH=−log10[H+]
Each 1‑unit change in pH = 10‑fold change in [H+]
Temperature Dependence
Kw increases with temperature
Neutral pH drops as temperature rises
At 37 °C, neutral pH ≈ 6.8
Important for interpreting physiological pH (blood ≈ 7.4 is still alkaline relative to neutrality)
Strong Acids and Bases
Strong acids and strong bases dissociate completely in water
Examples:
HCl → H⁺ + Cl⁻
NaOH → Na⁺ + OH⁻
In dilute solutions: [H⁺] ≈ initial concentration
Osmosis in Cells
Water moves from higher Ψ → lower Ψ across membranes.
If a cell is placed in a solution with lower Ψ → water leaves → plasmolysis
If placed in higher Ψ → water enters → turgor pressure increases
Pressure Potential (Ψp): The Push of Water
Pressure potential is the physical pressure exerted on water.
In turgid plant cells, Ψp is positive (cell wall pushes back).
In xylem, Ψp can be negative due to tension from transpiration.
Pressure can raise water potential, helping water move upward.
Movement Through Plant Tissues
Water potential gradients drive:
Root uptake
Xylem transport
Leaf transpiration
Water moves from soil (highest Ψ) → roots → stem → leaves → air (lowest Ψ).
Turgor Pressure and Cell Function
Turgor pressure maintains:
Leaf rigidity
Growth
Stomatal opening
Low Ψ in the environment → loss of turgor → wilting.
Water Potential and the Cohesion–Tension Mechanism
Transpiration creates negative pressure potential in leaves:
Water evaporates
Pulls water upward through xylem
Cohesion keeps the column intact
Adhesion helps water stick to xylem walls
This entire process is driven by Ψ gradients.
Gravity is overcome by pressure potential + solute potential + transpiration tension.
Typical Ψ values in a transpiring plant
Soil: Ψ ≈ –0.1 MPa
Root xylem: Ψ ≈ –0.3 MPa
Stem xylem: Ψ ≈ –0.6 MPa
Leaf mesophyll: Ψ ≈ –1.5 MPa
Air (dry): Ψ ≈ –100 MPa or lower
This enormous gradient explains how water is pulled upward against gravity.
Link to Lecture Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mpj28HsfUezYR-QpF3iSDAS9juxqPJPj/view?usp=drive_link
Due to the description character limit the full work cited for Preparing Solutions Understanding pH and Water Potential can be viewed at... https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ARYz5HO1Do9joQZ0suC1PpF0xjbx3FSS/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true Preparing Solutions Understanding pH and Water Potential](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WbINsHL1wbE/mqdefault.jpg)

