THE USE OF SPHAGNUM PEAT AND BROWN COALS FOR GROWING PLANTS IN HYDROPONIC CONTAINERS

The use of sphagnum peat and brown coals as substrates for growing plants in hydroponic and other containers has been studied. In hydroponic containers with impermeable bottom and walls to 1/3 height and with holes in the walls at that level comparison of the substrates peat, and fine and coarse brown coal shows that at the same kind of watering, equivalent tomato yields can be obtained.

In non hydroponic containers with holes in the bottom better growth and higher fruit yields are obtained on capilar peat than on non-capilar coarse brown coal. Simultaneously in the containers impermeable to ½ or 2/3 wall height, plants are suffering from water excess much more on peat than on coarse brown coal.

Substrate properties desirable for plant growing in hydroponic containers are discussed.