ISHS Acta Horticulturae 401: International Symposium on Growing Media & Plant Nutrition in Horticulture
USE OF SUBSTRATES WITH ZEOLITES FOR SEEDLING VEGETABLES AND POT PLANT PRODUCTION |
| Author: | C. Cattivello |
| Keywords: | chabasite, vulcanic clays, potting media, physical properties, shrinkage |
| Abstract:
Zeolites are vulcanic clays with peculiar chemical and physical characteristics. A two years research on these materials was carried out by cultivation trials and laboratory analysis. The zeolites were constituted mainly by Chabasite, powdery or granulated (1–3 mm), added to substrates at different concentrations between 1 and 15% (v/v). The trials were made on Lettuce, Melon, Tomato, Primrose (Primula vulgaris) and Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum). More differences among substrates were observed in laboratory analysis than in cultivation. On Lettuce, Melon and Tomato zeolites did not influence either quality of the seedlings or precocity, quality and final yield in the field. Primula grown on media with 7% of zeolites (either powdery or granulated) gave the best results. Concerning Cyclamen, substrates with no more than 7% of zeolites either powdery or granulated produced plants with the same quality of the commercial substrates. Media with at least 3% of granulated zeolites showed both in laboratory and cultivation less shrinkage than in the commercial type and powdery zeolites mixtures. The data suggest that substrates with percentages between 3 and 7% of granulated zeolites provide the best volume stability and the same or better results in cultivation compared to commercial media with 15% of montmorillonitic clay. | |
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