Methods for controlling salt accumulation in substrate cultivation
2003
Giuffrida, F. | Argento, S. | Lipari, V. | Leonardi, C.
In open soilless culture an adequate drainage of nutrient solution is necessary in order to control the salt accumulation in the substrate. Practically a suitable leaching fraction (LF) should range between 20 and 40% of supplied nutrient solution volume. However, environmental and economical motives would suggest reducing the loss of nutrients. In regard to this the reduction of LF or the use of water (without added nutrients) to leach excess salts could be considered especially when crops grown are quite tolerant to salinity. In relation to the above, the response of a tomato crop grown on expanded clay was studied in relation to following methods to control salt accumulation in the substrate: - leaching fraction of 30%; - leaching fraction of 15%; - night substrate leaching with water in plants fertirrigated with a LF of 5% was studied. Yield varied only slightly in relation to the compared methods, despite the differences in salt content in the substrate. These results and those related to plant uptake of water and nutrients are presented and discussed also in relation to the consequences on the environment.
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