ISHS Acta Horticulturae 779: International Symposium on Growing Media
HORTICULTURAL PEAT RAW MATERIAL AND ITS CHEMICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN WESTERN FINLAND AND WESTERN ESTONIA |
| Authors: | P. Picken, O. Reinikainen, M. Herranen |
| Keywords: | substrate, pH, calcium, Sphagnum, Carex, Bryales |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2008.779.52 |
| Abstract:
Peat based substrates have different features due to several factors: botanical composition of the peat, degree of humification, production techniques and additives. Natural chemical features of different horticultural peat raw materials in Western Finland and Western Estonia were analysed. Significant features for horticultural use were searched for, and in the peat types most used, some common concentrations were defined. Different peat types had different calcium and magnesium concentrations (as well as pH-values). Also the distance to the mineral subsoil affected peat characteristics. Ca and Mg concentrations, pH, humification degree and ash content varied dependent on this distance. The influence of underlying rocks and soils between was reflected also in the peat chemistry. The most significant features affecting on horticultural peat use were Ca and Mg concentrations. | |
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