ISHS Acta Horticulturae 342: International Symposium on Horticultural Substrates other than Soil in situ
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF FRACTIONATED PEAT |
| Authors: | M. Prasad, M.J. Maher |
| Abstract:
Moss and black peat were graded into different size fractions. When lime was added to these fractions the coarser grades showed a greater pH response. Crushing the peat particles resulted in a drop in pH in the coarser grades. The addition of a nutrient solution (pH 5.5, EC 4.0 mS/cm) to limed and unlimed peat in modules caused a reduction in the pH of the run-off. Fractionated moss peat of 6-12 and 10-25 mm particles has an air space (AS) content of 36% and 41% respectively and easily available water (EAW) contents of 18% and 15%. The addition of fractionated black peat to moss peat (0–10 mm) resulted in an increase in aeration. Varying the volume of substrate per plant from 1.25 litres up to 14 litres in the case of coarse peat and 5 litres in the case of rockwool did not affect the yield of long season tomatoes grown in a re-circulating system and irrigated well in excess of crop requirement. Plants in peat and rockwool performed similarly indicating that fractionated peat could be used as an alternative to rockwool. | |
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