ISHS Acta Horticulturae 644: International Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics
MEASURING WATER CONTENT AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY IN SUBSTRATES WITH TDR (TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOMETRY) |
| Authors: | S. Charpentier, V. Guérin, P. Morel, R. Tawegoum |
| Keywords: | container crop, peat, perlite |
| Abstract:
Time domain reflectometry (TDR) method was used for measuring water content and electrical conductivity in the substrate of container crops. Calibration of water content and electrical conductivity was realised in peat and in peat-perlite (50/50) substrates. The technique was applied with short probes (80 mm) on a 4 L container crop irrigated with one dripper per pot to follow the heterogeneity in the substrate volume and the variation during time of water content and electrical conductivity. Spatial heterogeneity induced by drip irrigation on water content was found larger than variability between replicates and daily fluctuations. Important daily fluctuations of electrical conductivity are discussed in relation with supplies. Apart the direct influence of the dripper, the daily mean electrical conductivity doubles in fifteen days. | |
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