ISHS Acta Horticulturae 150: International Symposium on Substrates in Horticulture other than Soils In Situ
THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENT HORTICULTURAL SUBSTRATES |
| Authors: | O. Verdonck, R. Penninck, M. De Boodt |
| Abstract:
The physical properties of horticultural substrates become more and more important because of the so many different materials which are used. Another important point is that the quality of the peat substrates decreases. Therefore it is necessary to determine the water/ air relationship in order to know if the physical properties are optimal. For optimal plant growth a substrate must contain enough easily available water and air. In most cases there is enough easily water available, but the air content is the determining property, specially for peat substrates. Therefore other materials such as bark and the most inert materials such as expanded clay, perlite, polystyrene and rockwool play an important role in the formation of good physical properties. This research will optimize the mixtures of peat, bark and other organic substrates with inert substrates in order to have in all horticultural substrates good physical properties. These good physical properties will help to grow plants in the best conditions. | |
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