ISHS Acta Horticulturae 255: III International Symposium on Soil Desinfestation
STERILISATION OF PERLITE GROWING SUBSTRATES |
| Authors: | R.A.K. Szmidt, G.M. Hitchon, D.A. Hall |
| Abstract:
Perlite is a granular mineral foam which has a range of characteristics which make it a useful hydroponics growing medium for the production of a range of horticultural crops. Perlite is inert, physically stable and easy to handle, therefore reuse of the material is commercially attractive. Samples of perlite were subjected to a range of "pasteurisation" treatments : steam, dry heat, fungicide and radio frequency (Rf) emission. Tomato crops were then successfully grown in this material previously treated in these ways. Crop yield in steamed, previously used, perlite was greater than in any other treatment. In separate trials differences between treatments were small. However, observations made over a number of growing seasons support the results of other workers showing beneficial effects of steaming. Nutrient analysis and bioassay of plant hormones in steamed, previously used, perlite gave no clear explanation of this phenomenon. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
