ICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ORGANIC HORTICULTURAL SUBSTRATES USED IN KOREA

Organic substrates commonly used in Korea include peat moss, coir, bark, rice hulls and saw dust.
The objective of this study was to get information about physical and chemical properties of these substrates used in Korea.
We analysed physical and chemical properties according to European standard methods, or CEN methods, as the methods of analysis for substrates are not well defined, nor standardized in Korea.
Peat moss and coir had low bulk density (55-130 kg m^-3), a large amount of pore space (≥92%) and showed very high CEC (80-110 cmol kg^-1). Peat moss indicated a pH range of 3.6-4.1, but coir dust indicated a pH of approximately 5.0. Bark had moderate water volume (about 30%), high total pore space (about 85%) and high CEC (about 55 cmol kg^-1). Rice hulls indicated various properties depending upon processes.
Saw dust has low nitrogen content and neutral pH. Organic substrates demonstrated different properties depending upon the degree of composting, processes and their origin.
The CEN methods were applicable to analysis of various organic substrates used in Korea.

International Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics

J.-Y. Kang, H.-H. Lee, K.-H. Kim

peat moss, coir dust, bark, rice hull, saw dust

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.644.31