SUBSTRATES AND NUTRIENT FLOW

The requirements to substrates to fullfill the optiminum conditions for water and nutrient uptake are mainly of physical nature ensuring the roots a good water and oxygen supply.

The movement of water through the rootzone is very important for an efficient nutrient uptake.
Earlier experiments in solution culture indicate that low concentrations of nutrients could replace the rather strong one used, provided a sufficient flow can be established.
The beneficial effects are lower osmotic stress, better oxygen supply to roots, better controle of pH and a possibility for more universal solutions.

The flow rate in different substrates is shown and also results of varied concentrations on plant growth.
These considerations can be used as goal for further research in a hybridization of hydroponic and substrate culture.

International Symposium on Substrates in Horticulture other than Soils In Situ

A. Klougart

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1984.150.33