Characterizing potential substrate materials in soilless culture systems
2021
Monsalve Camacho,Oscar Iván | Henao Toro,Martha Cecilia | Gutiérrez Díaz,Joan Sebastián
Abstract Despite its low water- and cation-retention capacity, rice husk is the most common substrate in soilless cultures (SLC) in Colombia; however, its availability has decreased due to the diversification of its use. The most relevant chemical and physical properties of eleven organic substrates and seven minerals were characterized to determine their feasibility of use, safety, and stability as alternative materials. The results indicate that the pH of perlite and pumice is over the appropriate range, just like the electrical conductivity of ground brick and pressed dry palm leave. Perlite has a high potassium concentration, while vermiculite is rich in iron and coconut crop-derived materials, zeolite, and pumice in sodium. The coconut substrate shows a higher cationic exchange capacity than river sand. Together with coal slag, ground brick, and zeolite, river sand has high bulk density. Except for rice husk, all organic materials have an optimal carbon-nitrogen ratio. Vermiculite has a high total chromium content, while other substrates have low levels of heavy metals. In conclusion, the substrates’ best characteristics can be used to prepare mixtures and obtain suitable material to establish SLC systems.
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