ISHS Acta Horticulturae 644: International Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF INORGANIC HORTICULTURAL SUBSTRATES USED IN KOREA |
| Authors: | J.-Y. Kang, H.-H. Lee, K.-H. Kim |
| Keywords: | perlite, vermiculite, rockwool, clay ball |
| Abstract:
Inorganic substrates commonly used in Korea include perlite, rockwool, vermiculite, clay ball, styrofoam, and others. The objective of this study was to get information about the physical and chemical properties of these substrates. We analyzed physical and chemical properties by European standard methods, or CEN methods, because the methods of analysis for substrates are not well defined, nor standardized in Korea. Perlite showed high total pore space, higher than 93%, but low water holding capacity. Vermiculite had high total pore space (92-94%) and good water holding capacity. Other properties of the vermiculite were different depending upon the particle size and the origin. Rockwool granulate contained 90-96% total pore space and had moderate water holding capacity. Clay ball had relatively low total pore space (60-70%) and water hold capacity (18-26%). The pHs of perlite and clay balls were in the range of pH 5.9-6.8 whereas those of vermiculite and rockwool were alkaline, pH 8.0-9.7. Vermiculite and clay balls showed high CEC, but perlite and rockwool showed low CEC (1.2-12 cmol kg-1). Inorganic substrates showed different properties depending upon the particle size, processes adopted and the origin. The CEN methods were applicable to analyses of various inorganic substrates used in Korea. | |
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