EVALUATION OF GREENHOUSE SUBSTRATES CONTAINING ZEOLITE

Results are presented from a series of trials undertaken in Alberta, Canada over 4 years (2001-2005) to evaluate the effect of the addition of zeolite amendments for the growing of greenhouse cucumbers and peppers in a range of different growing media, including perlite, coir, rockwool and sawdust.
In most instances, the differences between various substrates were not statistically significant.
Long English cucumbers grown on perlite showed the lowest yield.
Coir was superior to sawdust when used as a substrate to produce long English cucumbers.
The effect of coir on bell pepper production compared to sawdust was not consistent in this study and varied significantly depending on a variety.
The type of medium used strongly determined the effect of zeolite.
Zeolite (10% and 20%) had a beneficial effect in most cases when it added to sawdust and in some cases when added to perlite (long English cucumbers). The effect of zeolite amendments to coir was not consistent.
The effect of zeolite on crop production was also dependent on its mineral composition as shown in 2005 study.
The precise mechanism of zeolite effect on greenhouse crops requires further investigation.

International Symposium on Soilless Culture and Hydroponics

M.A. Nichols, N.A. Savidov

hydroponics, growing media, greenhouse vegetables

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.843.39