Understanding and optimising the chemical properties of growing media for soilless cultivation

Author(s):  
Patrizia Zaccheo ◽  
◽  
Laura Crippa ◽  
Francesco Giuffrida ◽  
◽  
...  

Chemical properties exert a considerable influence on the behavior of growing media, particularly in regulating the composition of the nutrient solution. This effect depends on the nature of components: mineral growing media are chemically inert and weakly affect the nutrient solution only in the first days of cultivation. Organic growing media constantly release and immobilize elements, playing a key role in controlling plant availability of nutrient and toxic ions. The most important chemical characteristics of growing media are cation exchange capacity (CEC), salinity, and acidity. These can be changed using amendments. The chapter examines these chemical properties of growing media and growing media components, describes how they can influence soilless cultivation and analyzes latest trends in their management. Finally, a case study on the modification of pH, salinity and nutrient content during storage of two growing media is reported.

2021 ◽  
Vol 922 (1) ◽  
pp. 012069
Author(s):  
S Mechram ◽  
B Rahadi ◽  
Z Kusuma ◽  
Soemarno

Abstract Plant growth requires nutrients and their functions in plants cannot be replaced by other elements so that if there are not enough nutrients in the soil, plants cannot grow normally. The nutrient content in the soil and the ability of the soil to provide nutrients for plant growth is different. So that the type of fertilizer and the amount of fertilizer given to each type of soil will be different and it depends on the type of plant being cultivated. To determine the requirements of fertilizers and the types of fertilizers required for each type of soil, need some research about the evaluation study of soil fertility. The research was conducted in Aceh Besar with located between 5¼ 2 ‘-5¼ 8’ N and 95¼ 80 ‘-95¼ 88’E. Assessment of soil fertility status based on the criteria of several soil chemical properties, CEC (cation exchange capacity), alkaline saturation, C-Organic, P2O5 (HCL, 25%) mg / 100g, and K2O (HCL, 25%) mg / 100g. The analysis results obtained from 11 sample points show that Aceh Besar has soil fertility status from medium to low.


Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (16) ◽  
pp. 3015
Author(s):  
Fethi Kooli ◽  
Souad Rakass ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Mostafa Abboudi ◽  
Hicham Oudghiri Hassani ◽  
...  

The effect of the counteranion of hexadecyltrimethylammonium salts on the physico-chemical properties of organoclays was investigated, using a selected natural clay mineral with a cation exchange capacity of 95 meq/100 g. The uptake amount of C16 cations was dependent on the hexadecyltrimethylammonium (C16) salt solution used, the organoclay prepared from C16Br salt solution exhibited a value of 1. 05 mmole/g higher than those prepared from C16Cl and C16OH salt solutions. The basal spacing of these organoclays was in the range of 1.81 nm to 2.10 nm, indicating a similar orientation of the intercalated surfactants, and could indicated that the excess amount of surfactants, above the cation exchange capacity of 0.95 meq/g could be adsorbed on the external surface of the clay mineral sheets. These organoclays were found to be stable in neutral, acidic, and basic media. The thermal stability of these organoclays was carried out using thermogravimetric analysis and in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The decomposition of the surfactant occurred at a maximum temperature of 240 °C, accompanied with a decrease of the basal spacing value close to 1.42 nm. The application of these organoclays was investigated to remove an acidic dye, eosin. The removal amount was related to the initial used concentrations, the amount of the surfactants contents, and to the preheated temperatures of the organoclays. The removal was found to be endothermic process with a maximum amount of 55 mg of eosin/g of organoclay. The value decreased to 25 mg/g, when the intercalated surfactants were decomposed. The reuse of these organoclays was limited to four regeneration recycles with a reduction of 20 to 30%. However, noticeable reduction between 35% to 50% of the initial efficiency, was achieved after the fifth cycle, depending of the used organoclays.


Soil Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 411
Author(s):  
Jin-Hua Yuan ◽  
Sheng-Zhe E ◽  
Zong-Xian Che

Mineral composition and alkaline properties of palygorskite (Pal), and its ameliorative effects on chemical properties of acid soil were investigated. Dolomite was the main form of alkali in Pal and the acid neutralisation capacity of Pal was 215 cmol kg–1. Incubation experiments indicated that Pal incorporation increased soil pH, cation exchange capacity, base saturation and exchangeable K+, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents, and decreased the levels of exchangeable H+, Al3+ and acidity, over a 1-year period. The ameliorative mechanisms were the dissolution of major alkaline matter in Pal (i.e. dolomite), and the exchange between released Ca2+ and Mg2+ with H+ in acidic soil. Hence, Pal can be used as a moderate acidic soil amendment.


Author(s):  
Resman ◽  
Sahta Ginting ◽  
Muhammad Tufaila ◽  
Fransiscus Suramas Rembon ◽  
Halim

The research aimed to determine the effectiveness of compost containing humic and fulvic acids, and pure humic and fulvic acids in increasing of Ultisol soil chemical properties. The research design used a randomized block design (RBD), consisting of 10 treatments, namely K0: 0 g polybag-1, KO1: 500 g polybag-1, KO2: 500 g polybag-1, KO3: 500 g polybag-1, KO4: 500 g polybag-1, KO5: 500 g polybag-1, KO6: 500 g polybag-1, KO7: 500 g of polybags-1, H: 50 g of polybag-1, A: 500 g polybag-1. Each treatment was repeated three times and obtained 30 treatment units. The results showed that pH H2O (K0: 4.49, KO1: 5.64, KO2: 5.47, KO3: 5.43, KO4: 5.51, KO5: 5.39, KO6: 5.48, KO7: 6.17, H: 5.06, F: 5.15), total-N (%) (K0: 0.13, KO1: 0.17, KO2: 0.18, KO3: 0.30, KO4: 0.25, KO5: 0.24, KO6: 0.29, KO7: 0.36, H: 0.16, F: 0.14), organic-C (%) (K0: 1.85, KO1; 2.30, KO2: 2.24, KO3: 2.33, KO4: 2.62, KO5: 2.25, KO6: 2.27, KO7: 2.95, H: 2.32, F: 2.26) , available-P (%) (K0: 2.75, KO1: 3.24, KO2: 3.16, KO3: 3.27, KO4: 3.57, KO5: 3.31, KO6: 3.37, KO7: 3.89, H: 3.10, F: 3.12), exchangeable-Al (me100g-1) (K0: 2.51, KO1: 2.11, KO2: 2.13, KO3: 2.15, KO4: 1.88, KO5: 2.14, KO6: 2.12, KO7: 1.75, H: 2.16, F: 2.17), base saturation (%) (K0: 30.91, KO1: 63.48, KO2: 52.63, KO3: 53.76, KO4: 56.13, KO5: 54.96, KO6: 56.71, KO7: 65.53, H: 39.11, F: 42.76), cation exchange capacity (me100g-1) (K0: 12.76, KO1: 15.64, KO2: 14.86, KO3: 14.35, KO4: 14.13, KO5: 15.01, KO6: 15.50, KO7: 17.94, H: 14.19, F: 13.73). The combined compost treatment of three types of organic matter (Imperata cylindrica + Rice straw + Glincidia sepium) is more effective in increasing the pH, H2O as 37.42%, total-N as 176.92%, Organic-C as 59.46%, available-P as 41.45%, base saturation as 65.53%, cation exchange capacity as 17.94% and exchangeable -Al, Alreduction as 30.28% of ultisol soil. KEY WORDS: compost, humic acid, fulvate, soil chemical, ultisol


2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-26
Author(s):  
Miodrag Tolimir ◽  
Branka Kresović ◽  
Borivoj Pejić ◽  
Katarina Gajić ◽  
Angelina Tapanarova ◽  
...  

The impact of long-term (> 100 yr) irrigation on soil chemical properties was studied on eight plots in the Beli Drim river valley in Kosovo and Metohija near Klina, Serbia. For these studies, soil samples from shallow profiles were collected from only one or two depth zones of the Ah horizon; and from moderately deep and deep profiles, from two to three depth zones for the purpose of comparing irrigated field and non-irrigated meadow lands. Water from the Beli Drim River and surface gravity systems (irrigation furrows or border strip irrigation) were used for irrigation. Chemical variables included determination of pH-H2O, content of CaCO3, content of humus, hydrolytic acidity, sum of basic cations, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation. On irrigated soils, the results of chemical analysis showed on average a small increase in pH-H2O (0.07 pH units), as well as a significant decrease in humus content (2.00-4.75%), sum of basic cations (4.98-12.98%) and cation exchange capacity (12.8%) compared to the non-irrigated land of the study area. Long-term irrigation had no effect on hydrolytic acidity and base saturation in the Ah horizon of the investigated lands. Namely, the mentioned variations in the chemical properties of the investigated soils show that slight processes of reduction in the humus content and reduction of the content of base cations occured. Data on the chemical properties of the investigated soils indicate that the destructive processes of reduction in the humus content and leaching of base cations must be controlled in order to achieve a stable sustainable system of high productivity and prevent their further deterioration.


Author(s):  
Z. Abdulhamid ◽  
E.B. Agbaji ◽  
C.E. Gimba ◽  
A.S. Agbaji

Physico-chemical properties and heavy metals content of soils were determined from seven farms in Minna, central Nigeria. Conventional analytical methods were employed to determine the physico-chemical properties and the heavy metals were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The result showed that pH values ranged from 6.64 - 7.70 indicating slight acidity to slight alkalinity of the soils. The total organic carbon values ranged from 0.95-2.25 % resulting in the presence of organic matter (1.63-3.87). The electrical conductivity values ranged from 17-37 μS/cm. The cation exchange capacity of the soil samples ranged from 3.68-5.15 cmol/kg. The heavy metals levels were in the following range: Cd (0.00018-0.00134 mg/g), Cu (0.0069-0.0476 mg/g), Fe (1.942-2.2059 mg/g), Mn (0.1825-0.3696 mg/g), Ni (0.0065-0.0069 mg/g) and Zn (0.0157-0.2252 mg/g). The concentration of the metals in the soil samples varied according to the following trend: Fe>Mn>Zn> Cu>Ni>Cd. The average concentration of all the metals in each farm also gave the trend Farm B>Farm G>Farm E>Farm C>Farm F>Farm D>Farm A. The findings indicate the presence of heavy metals in all the farms but only Fe was above the FAO/WHO standards.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Nerlich ◽  
Dennis Dannehl

In agriculture, the increasing scarcity of arable land and the increase in extreme weather conditions has led to a large proportion of crops, especially vegetables, being cultivated in protected soilless cultivation methods to provide people with sufficient and high-quality food. Rockwool has been used for decades as a soil substitute in soilless cultivation. Since rockwool is not biodegradable, it is disposed in landfills after its use, which nowadays leads to ecological concerns and drives the search for alternative substrates, especially organic materials. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of organic materials (wood chips, sphagnum moss, and hemp fibers) in relation to rockwool substrate on plant growth and quality of lettuce as a result of physical and chemical properties of the mentioned substrates. We were able to show that sphagnum moss is a suitable substitute substrate for lettuce cultivation, contrary to hemp. All investigated substrates presented good physical properties, but differed in their decomposition stability. Within 8 weeks, 30% of the hemp and about 10% of both sphagnum and wood materials were degraded. It was concluded that the increased microbiological activity immobilized nitrogen and led to oxygen deficiency in the rhizosphere and resulted in increased phenolic acid contents in lettuce but poor yield on hemp. Sphagnum caused a pH decrease and accumulation of ammonium in the nutrient solution and allowed the highest yield for lettuce at moderate phenolic acid contents. Low yields were obtained on wood, which could possibly be increased by optimized nutrient solution, so that wood as an alternative to rockwool was not excluded. By applying used organic substrates as soil additives on arable land, the nutrients accumulated in it might fertilize the open field crops, thus saving mineral fertilizers. This, together with the avoidance of waste, would contribute to a greater sustainability.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kero Alemu Danano ◽  
Fanuel Laikemariam Laikemariam

Abstract Background: - Land degradation is one of the major challenges in agricultural production Ethiopia. To combat the problem different Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) measures were introduced. Methods: - This research was conducted in the Masha Deniba micro-watershed, Dawuro Zone, Southern Ethiopia aimed to assess impact of stone bund conservation on soil properties. This study compared the effects of stone bund age along landscape positions. Surface soil sample from 17 farms were collected and analyzed for soil bulk density (BD), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soil. Result:- Results showed that farms treated with stone bunds showed improvement in soil chemical properties. For most parameters, the peak was obtained from stone bunds having 10 years age. The non- conserved plots had the lowest soil nutrients contents. Lower topographic position had shown higher nutrients contents than farms in upper topographic position. Overall, OC, TN, S and B contents were low in the watershed. Conclusion: - From the finding we can conclude that stone bunds improved soil nutrient when compared to non-treated farm with the respect of age and landscape position. But constructing physical structures alone does not restore the soil fertility to the level that the crop is demanding. Thus, integration of physical conservation with agronomic and biological measures is highly recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (AAEBSSD) ◽  
pp. 147-149
Author(s):  
P.N. Tripathi ◽  
U.S. Mishra ◽  
Pawan Sirothia ◽  
R.P. Singh

Three representative soil pedonsof northern hills of Chhattisgarh, M.P were morphologically studied, characterized and classified. The soils are very deep, colour ranges from brown (10YR5/3) to dark brown (10YR3/3) and very dark greyish brown (10YR3/2) in different horizons. Fe and calcretes are observed in sub surface horizons. The texture in surface soils varied from clay loam to clay while in pedon 2, the texture was observed sandy clay loam throughout the profile. The soils are calcareous and pH ranged from 7.0 to 7.5. The organic carbon content in these soils were (4.4 g kg-1), low to medium (6.1 g kg-1) in surface and decreased with depth. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) were found high in horizons where clay content was more. Based on morphological, physical and chemical properties P1 and P3 were classified as VerticHaplustalfs and pedon (P2) was placed under Typic Haplustepts.


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