ISHS Acta Horticulturae 401: International Symposium on Growing Media & Plant Nutrition in Horticulture
NON SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY OF PERLITES: SOME EFFECTS ON PEPPER |
| Authors: | O. Marfà, R. Orozco |
| Abstract:
In previous work with perlites we showed that matric potential (  m) is not an acceptable diagnostic criterion for substrate irrigation management.
Nevertheless, the volumetric-water-content criterion is positively correlated with crop responses for different substrates.
Some volumetric-water-content ( v) parameters such as, for example, available water just before irrigation, are positively correlated with non-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kunsat) of the substrate, and Kunsat determines water flow in the substrate-plant continuum.
In this study we measured the time course of m, Kunsat and v in three granular types of perlite (coarse, medium and fine) at different container heights, for a pepper crop grown in a growth-chamber with controlled conditions.
We analyzed the relations between substrate water status (m, Kunsat, v) and crop bioproductivity, gas exchange and ecophysiological mechanisms of the plant for dehydration tolerance or avoidance.
Finally we discuss the usefulness of Kunsat as the criterion for watering management of perlites and other substrates.
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