ISHS Acta Horticulturae 548: International Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF WOOD FIBER SUBSTRATES AND THEIR EFFECT ON GROWTH OF LETTUCE SEEDLINGS (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata L.) |
| Authors: | N. Gruda, W.H. Schnitzler |
| Keywords: | substrate, vegetable seedling, water- and air-capacity |
| Abstract:
Lettuce seedlings were cultivated in wood fiber substrate Toresa nova (Tn), Tn + brown coal (Tnbc) and a peat substrate Statohum (St) in press pots (4x4x4 cm). Only one substrate (Tn) was tested in plug trays (77 pots). Several parameters were evaluated such as water/air relation, distribution of pore size, container- and air-capacity and saturated water conductivity for substrates as well as leaf area and fresh and dry weight of leaves and roots. Wood fiber substrates (WFS) show good characteristics for seedling production. The seedlings cultivated in press pots and plug trays in this media showed significantly higher values for leaf area and fresh weight of leaves. Particularly the root mass of seedlings in plug trays (pt) was very good. Wood fiber substrates possess high air volume even at higher levels of water tension and a high saturated water conductivity. Therefore, they must be watered frequently. | |
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