COMPARISON OF THE EN 1:5 VV EXTRACTION WITH THE DUTCH 1:1.5 VV AND THE GERMAN VDLUFA METHOD

In 1999 new standards were settled for the analysis of pH, EC and nutritional elements by CEN (Committee for European Standardization). To improve the use of the new methods RHP has taken the initiative to compare the EN standards EN 13652 (extraction of water soluble nutrients), EN 13651 (extraction of calcium chloride/DTPA soluble nutrients), EN 13038 (determination of electrical conductivity) and EN 13037 (determination of pH) with the Dutch 1:1.5 vv extraction with water (Sonneveld et al., 1979) and the VDLUFA methods (VDLUFA,1999) for analysis of growing media.
The 1:1.5 vv extract and EN 13038, EN 13652 showed good correlations for EC and nutrient concentrations.
EN 13651 and EN 13652 showed strong correlations for N, P and K concentrations.
Also EN 13651 and VDLUFA method with CAT showed strong correlations for EC and N, P and K concentrations.
The outcomes of the research did lead towards adjustment of the Dutch fertilization guidelines to the EN methods of analysis.
The new EN standards thus can be implemented without major technical difficulties for peat based growing media.

International Symposium on Growing Media and Composting

J.B.G.M. Verhagen

analysis, method, nutrients, pH, EC, EN standards, fertilisation, peat based media

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.891.33