Assessment of the Changes in the Physical Properties of Fibrous Organic Substrates in Soilless Culture of Tomato

摘要

The experiments on determining the physical properties of loose and consolidated fibrous organic substrates were carried out in the years 2008-2009. They included substrates, both clean (untreated) and esterified with a 10% nitric acid, of pine sawdust, rye straw, and flax shives (the woody waste material from flax plants), as well as substrates made from textile waste products (wool, cotton) supplemented with coconut fibre and either sawdust or flax shives The experimental results showed that the best physical properties before and after tomato culture were those of the consolidated substrates made from textile waste originating from wool and cotton supplemented with coconut fibre and either sawdust or flax shives. Good properties were also maintained by the sawdust substrates, especially the one esterified with nitric acid. The above substrates retained a stable structure which did not change over the duration of culture, thus creating good air-water conditions for the plants. The loose substrates of straw and flax shives underwent quick biodegradation, which resulted in a reduction in the volume of the growth mats and deterioration in air-water relations. Esterification of straw and flax shives accelerated the process of organic matter decomposition.