Reusing Perlite Substrates in Soilless Cultivation: Analysis of Particle Size, Hydraulic Properties, and Solarization Effects
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 2
Abstract
Using perlite substrates over several growing seasons is widely done in greenhouse production; its successful application depends on substrate modification and growing practices. The goal of this research was to characterize the evolution of the physical, hydraulic, and aeration properties of perlite with time within two parts of the pot, where the effect of solarization was also determined. New perlite and perlite that had been used one to four times as growing media were analyzed, and the induced modifications were measured in terms of the hydraulic retention, permeability at saturation, porosity, bulk density, water-holding capacity, and particle size distribution. The study showed that reuse influences the perlite particle size and reduces the hydraulic conductivity of the medium; the aeration properties and easily available water were improved by reuse, which supports crop growth. However, the variations found in this study from the reused substrates’ hydraulic features would not significantly modify the irrigation regime of the growing media inside a greenhouse. The solarization did not substantially alter the primary physical and hydraulic properties of the medium.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Anna Puerta [Instituto De Recerca y Tecnologia Agroalimentaria, Departament De Proteccio Vegetal, Ctra. Cabrils, Spain (IRTA Cabrils)] and Rosa Aiello for helping in the substrate analysis.
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Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 2 • February 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 9, 2015
Accepted: Aug 10, 2015
Published online: Sep 24, 2015
Published in print: Feb 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Feb 24, 2016
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