ISHS Acta Horticulturae 648: South Pacific Soilless Culture Conference - SPSCC
COMPARISON OF PHYSICAL PROPERTIES DETERMINATION RESULTS IN PEAT-BASED SUBSTRATES IN BULK AND IN POTS OF DIFFERENT SIZE ACCORDING TO ROOT BALL POSITION |
| Authors: | J.S. Nowak, Z. Strojny |
| Keywords: | growing media, porosity, bulk density, shrinkage, water retention, aeration |
| Abstract:
Peat-based growing substrates of different bulk density were subject to the physical characteristics determination. The characteristics were determined in bulk state – with the standard CEN method, and in growth state – in intact root ball, in pots Ø13 cm (ca 1500 cm3), Ø10 cm (ca 500 cm3) and Ø 8 cm (ca 300 cm3). The measured parameters included: total porosity, bulk density, water capacity, air capacity and shrinkage. All tested substrates had proper physical properties, according to standard CEN method, for cultivation of pot plants. Total porosity of tested growing media was significantly higher and bulk density lower when measured in all pot sizes independently of rootball position compared to the standard CEN methods. Also the results of air and water capacity measurements in tested growing media depended strongly on measurement method and rootball position. It was found, that the results of physical properties determination in bulk substrates are not always the same as in intact rootball. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
