Achieving environmentally sustainable growing media for soilless plant cultivation systems – a review

The use of organic residues as a means of maintaining and increasing soil fertility is of long-standing. This tradition has been somewhat neglected since the introduc tion of mineral fertilizers at low cost. More and more farmers and scientists are now showing renewed interest in the proper and effective use of org tnic residues, composts and other recycled organic additives. The role and function of organic amendments in modern agricultural systems have become topics of major interest in the scientific and agricultural communities. Research work on residue disposal has provided new concepts on the interaction between organic components and soils as well as new handling technologies (e. g. pelletizing of organic residues). The trend to conserve energy has led scientists to study the minimal tillage system, to find ways of replacing conventional inorganic fertilizers with natural organic prod ucts or microbial preparations, and to develop new composting methods. The drive to achieve higher yields in commercial greenhouse farming has led to a search for optimum substrates as growth media and for improved management techniques. This has led to the introduction of organic substitutes for peat, nota bly those originating from agricultural wastes. Another important aspect is the current interest in organic farming, where use of synthetic chemicals is avoided or prohibited. An increasing percentage of the population in highly developed countries is willing to pay premium prices for food produced on soils where inorganic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals have not been used."

The Role of Organic Matter in Modern Agriculture

Good Agricultural Practices for greenhouse vegetable crops: principles for Mediterranean climate areas

Many research studies have evaluated potential organic and mineral container substrate components for use in commercial potting substrates. Most studies report results of plant growth over a single production season and only a few include physical properties of the substrates tested. Furthermore, substrates containing predominantly organic components decompose during crop production cycles producing changes in air and water ratios. In the commercial nursery industry, crops frequently remain in containers for longer periods than one growing season (18 to 24 months). Changes in air and water retention characteristics over extended periods can have significant effect on the health and vigor of crops held in containers for 1 year or more. Decomposition of organic components can create an overabundance of small particles that hold excessive amounts of water, thus creating limited air porosity. Mineral aggregates such as perlite, pumice, coarse sand, and calcined clays do not decompose, or breakdown slowly, when used in potting substrates. Blending aggregates with organic components can decrease changes in physical properties over time by dilution of organic components and preserving large pore spaces, thus helping to maintain structural integrity. Research is needed to evaluate changes in container substrates from initial physical properties to changes in air and water characteristics after a production cycle.

/pdf/healthy-substrates-need-physicals-too-z3a1sxsj6t.pdf

Healthy Substrates Need Physicals Too

Physical and chemical characterizations were done for five materials [soil, sand, peat SCv, carbonized rice husk (CRH) and decomposed acacia (Acacia mearnsii) bark after tannin extraction (DAB)] and some of their mixtures [soil + sand (1:1), soil + sand + CRH (1:1:1), soil + sand + DAB (1:1:1), peat + CRH (2:1), peat + DAB (2:1)], trying to identify which of them could be used as growing substrates for potted fruit and flower plant crops. The following properties were analyzed: water pH, salinity, cation extange capacity (CEC), organic carbon levels, dry density, total porosity, air space, available water, remaining water and particles distribution. The growing media "peat SCv + DAB" showed upper chemical and physical properties for the horticultural purposes defined.

/pdf/propriedades-quimicas-e-fisicas-de-substratos-de-origem-1fczc7ny1s.pdf

Propriedades químicas e físicas de substratos de origem mineral e orgânica para o cultivo de mudas em recipientes

Physical properties of media composed of peanut hulls, pine bark, and peat moss and their effects on Azalea growth

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Physical properties of media composed of peanut hulls, pine bark, and peat moss and their effects on Azalea growth