New measurement methods and devices and evaluation framework for characterizing of hydrological properties of growing media

Abstract

Horticultural substrates are special designed media for horticultural applications. Bog peat is the main basis for creating horticultural substrates (Other ingredients like coir, perlite, compost and other are added to improve the substrate for special horticultural applications.1–3 Beside the nutrient composition, the hydraulic performance of horticultural substrates is a main issue for evaluating its quality for horticultural purposes. However, information to the hydraulic properties is missing of the substrate package. Until recently substrate buyers cannot draw any conclusions regarding the hydraulic properties on the basis of the declaration and the ingredients of the particular product he has bought,1,3–5concluded that there is a lack of technologies and methods for the effective physical characterization and evaluation of substrate application in horticulture. The papers3–5 are in the public domain.