1. Physical Characteristics of Soilless Substrates Andrew G. Ristvey Extension Specialist Commercial Horticulture University of Maryland Extension Wye Research and Education Center College of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Maryland Substrate Technology, Water and Mineral Nutrition in Protected Agriculture Workshop Day 1 Topic 2

2. Objectives for this topic include:  Review soilless substrate physical properties  Relate those factors to air and water availability  Evaluations for physical properties Smarter Substrate Management

3. Soils vs Soilless Substrates What are the important physical differences between soils and soilless substrates? Parent materials or componentsParticle size Porosity Air and water availability

4. ACE / NETC 99 Perlite Soilless Substrates  Composition  Particle Size = Pore USDA System Soils  Texture  Structure Pinebark Particle Size

5. Soilless Substrates Soilless Substrates Physical Properties  Three Phases of Growing Media by volume 45% Solid (matrix) 15 - 45% Water 10 - 40% Air Solid (matrix) – 33 to 50% Total Pore Space Water % Air % Matrix Component Porosity: determines the ratio between Liquid (water) – 15 to 45% Gas (air) – 10 to 40% Water % + Air % = Total Pore Space

6. Highly Variable –Physical properties Very porous Leach very easily Various combinations Plant Available Water –the % volume of water that plants can retrieve Pinebark Perlite Peat Moss Pine bark Perlite Coir Rice Hulls Shredded palm leaves and other organics Sand Gravel Vermiculite Variability of Components

7. Component Structure (Handreck & Black, 1994) Electron micrograph of Sphagnum Peat

8. Typical Substrates Utilized in Costa Rica

9. Air-Filled Porosity (AFP) Water Holding Capacity (WHC)  Physical Properties Particle Size and Composition: Their affect on: Porosity: Air and Water Availability AFP - air in the substrate after irrigation / drainage WHC – water in the substrate after irrigation / drainage

10. Pores  When we buy substrate---we are buying pores!  What else can affect substrate AFP and WHC?  Handling  Watering  Age  Container geometry  Potting - do not compress substrate - water the plant in

11. Porosity:  Macropores  Water drain through freely (< 4mm)  Mesopores  Water at CC (1 to 0.5mm)  Micropores  Water might work as “buffer” (0.5 to 0.03mm)  Ultramicropores  Water held beyond 1.5 Mpa (<0.01mm) Drzal et al. (1999) water air Soil particles Components Affect AFP and WHC water air Soil particles

12. Particle size affects WHC and AFP Capillary action - water tension - water is attracted to surfaces with a force large enough to support a relatively large mass of water against the ‘pull' of gravity - the smaller the particle, the more firm the hold Components Affect AFP and WHC

13. Pore size affects WHC and AFP  Physical Properties : Pore Size Components Affect AFP and WHC

14. Soilless Substrates Important Attributes of Soilless Media Recommended physical characteristic values for soilless substrates, after irrigation and drainage are (% volume): Air-Filled Porosity - 10 to 30% or 20 to 35% (field test) Water Holding Capacity - 45 to 65%; Available water content - 25 to 35%; Unavailable water content - 25 to 35%; Note: A substrate with many coarse particles has a large air space and a relatively low water holding capacity.

15. Field Test for AFP W1 = Saturated container media W2 = Drained container (several hours later) W3 = Volume of Substrate W4 = Weight of Container W5 = Weight of Dry Media % AFP = W1 W3 – Saturation AFP Total Volume X 100 – W2 W4 WHC = % W2 W3 X 100 – (W5 + W4)

17. Substrate Management Andrew G. Ristvey Extension Specialist Commercial Horticulture University of Maryland Extension Wye Research and Education Center College of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Maryland Substrate Technology, Water and Mineral Nutrition in Protected Agriculture Workshop Day 1 Topic 3

18. Objectives for this topic include:  Composting and aging  Storage of substrates  Handling of substrates Smarter Substrate Management

19. Composting and Aging Composting is a biological process where complex organic material is degraded into more basic organic components at a rate faster than decomposition would occur naturally. Aerobic Composting is a thermophilic (generating heat) process Aging is not composting, because there is no heat generation

20. Composting and Aging The process of efficient composting requires several ingredients. The basic recipe: 1. A source of organic material 2. Microorganisms 3. C:N ratio of more than 30:1 – this may mean the addition of a nitrogen or carbon source 4. Proper moisture levels – 45 to 60% by weight 5. Oxygen 6. pH stabilizer, if needed

21. Composting and Aging Composting Chemistry: The C:N Ratio Materials High in CarbonC/N* Senesced leaves30-80:1 straw40-100:1 wood chips or sawdust100-500:1 bark100-130:1 mixed paper150-200:1 newspaper or corrugated cardboard 560:1 Materials High in NitrogenC:N* vegetable scraps15-20:1 coffee grounds20:1 grass clippings15-25:1 manure5-25:1

22. Composting and Aging The result of efficient aerobic composting is. 1.Generation of Heat ≈ 55 C o 2.C:N Ratio of between 10 and 15 : 1 3.Degradation of organic material and increase Cation Exchange Capacity

23. Composting and Aging Microorganisms

24. The Aerobic Cycle http://www.theteggroup.plc.uk/technical_library/microbiology_of_invessel_composting Composting and Aging

25. Cellulose and Lignin… Why some substrates degrade faster than others 1.Cellulose is a sugar 2.Lignin is a more complicated molecule and more difficult to degrade Lignin Cellulose

26. Composting and Aging When it goes wrong… 1.Compounds like alcohols and methane are developed in anaerobic composting. 2.Weed and pathogens are not destroyed

27. Adding Compost to Growing Media Consistency – can you assure? Well/properly composted Water Holding capacity Pore Space? Nutrient availability – what is in compost? – adjust your nutrient management plan?

28. Adding Compost to Growing Media First, analyze your compost –All macro and micro nutrients How much should be added? –Base your addition on nutrients, WHC AFP and EC – Usually no more than 20% Check your WHC and AFP

29. But first… Prevention! is crucial to successful plant health management Smarter Substrate Management There are three lines of defense against plant diseases To prevent pathogens from entering the production systems Create cultural conditions that work for plant growth and against disease development Correctly and timely treat disease problems that do arise

30. Storage of Substrates

31.  Storage – high and dry?  Potting - do not compress substrate - water the plant into pot  What else?  Handling  Watering  Age

32. Storage of Substrates

33. Practical Examination for Substrates  Capillary Force practical experiment  Particle Distribution Analysis  Field Porosity and water holding capacity tests Question: Does particle size affect AFP and WHC?

34. Substrate Re-use and handling

36. Irrigation in Protected Environments: Checking Irrigation System Efficiency John Lea-Cox and David Ross Nursery Extension Specialist / Extension Engineer University of Maryland Extension College of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Maryland Substrate Technology, Water and Mineral Nutrition in Protected Agriculture Workshop Day 2 Topic 4

37. Overhead Irrigation Systems The pros and cons of overhead irrigation systems. Pros 1. Easy management 2. Lower labor costs 3. Less infrastructure Cons 1. Efficiency low - depending 2. Larger volumes needed 3. Higher pressures needed

38. Micro Irrigation Systems The pros and cons of microirrigation systems. Pros 1.Higher Efficiency 2.Less volume needed 3.Lower pressures 4.Less waste Cons 1. Greater management 2.Higher costs – more specialized equipment needed 3. Potential Higher labor costs

39. ACE / NETC 99 Irrigation Audits Summary Is your irrigation system working properly? First, do an inspection & repair problems. Second, check pressures and flow rates. Third, do a test for uniform application. Decide on changes to improve system and water wisely.

40. ACE / NETC 99 Uniform Water Application? Applying water uniformly should be goal # 1, particularly for container crops Question - Where are your dry spots after irrigation? If none, do you knowingly overwater some plants to adequately water other plants? How do I check my irrigation system?

41. ACE / NETC 99 System Audit Procedure First, inspect for problems and repair them. 1. Damaged pipelines and risers 2. Damaged, clogged, worn, or broken nozzles or drip tubes.

42. ACE / NETC 99 System Audit Procedure Second, check pressure and flow rate. 1. What were the pressures and flow rates of the system when new? 2. Check pressure at pump, beginning and end of laterals, and before and after filters. 3. Check the nozzles for wear and flow rate. Check drip tubes for clogging.

43. Pressure Check Installed or Portable Pressure Gauges

44. Pressure Check Filter Pump Laterals – drip or sprinkler Pressure Gauge

45. Pressure variation in a Lateral For good design, pressure variation from one end of a lateral to the other should not exceed +/- 10 percent of the average lateral design pressure. Actual variation in lateral is 20%. 55 psi Average of 50 psi 45 psi

46. Too HighCorrect PressureToo Low Nozzle Pressure versus Water Distribution Pattern Pressure affects Application Pattern Correct operating pressure is best! Pressure too high or too low causes distortion of application pattern.

47. Nozzle Flow Rate Use a bottle or bucket to catch the water discharged from the nozzle for one minute. Measure the volume of water caught. Convert to gal/min. as in nozzle chart. Measure nozzle pressure, if possible.

48. Nozzle Flow Rate Nozzle (new) specs for water discharge at a given pressure. RainBird 14DH

49. Nozzle Flow Rate RainBird 14DH Note changes in gpm for changes in PSI.

50. Nozzle Wear Check Use drill bit to check size carefully.

51. Nozzle Wear Note changes in gpm & radius for changes in Size. RainBird 14DH Wear changes demand on the pump.

52. Nozzle Pressure & Flow Rate Let’s review the last few slides – We checked nozzle wear, pressure and flow rate. From the nozzle chart we saw that a different pressure resulted in a different discharge and wetted radius. Differences mean non-uniformity!

53. Application Uniformity Check The next step is to check on the application uniformity of your system. This process uses a grid pattern of water catch cans to collect water. A regular pattern of cans is placed on the ground in the irrigated area.

54. Application Uniformity Check Catch can – top left Calibrated measuring container – bottom left/ top right

55. Application Uniformity Check

56. Audit Kit Irrigation Association Education Foundation www.iaef.org

57. Application Uniformity Check Catch cans - use 16 or more.

58. Do audit to sample application uniformity several places.

59. Application Uniformity Check Irrigation Lateral Production Bed – Hoop House Catch cans Must run all laterals that cover catch area.

60. Lower Quarter Distribution Uniformity, DU LQ Sketch of laterals and sprinklers. Show catch cans and amounts of water. List in descending order. Mark smallest quarter. Average of total and smallest 1/4. [Divide Average of ¼ by Average of total] x 100

61. Readings: (use 16, 20, 24 or more) 0.320.340.320.34 0.300.280.250.30 0.330.300.270.33 0.360.240.310.37 Total of all = 4.96 Average All= 0.31 Total small 1/4 = 1.04; Average 1/4 = 0.26 DU LQ = [0.26 / 0.31] x 100 = 84 %

62. Doing the Math – easy! We calculate the “Lower Quarter Distribution Uniformity, DU LQ ” DU LQ = [Avg of smaller 1/4 readings / Avg of all readings] x 100 Tells us how close the lowest (dry) readings are to all readings. Less than 70-75 percent is not so good.

63. Summary Correct pressure and nozzle/emitter flow rates are important factors in overall uniformity of a system. The Lower Quarter Uniformity Distribution gives us a measure of the uniformity of application. Check out your system soon!

68. Irrigation in Protected Environments Plant/Substrate Relations Andrew G. Ristvey Extension Specialist Commercial Horticulture University of Maryland Extension Wye Research and Education Center College of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Maryland Substrate Technology, Water and Mineral Nutrition in Protected Agriculture Workshop Day 2 Topic 5

69. Smarter Irrigation Management  Manage irrigation and substrate water content  Are we over-watering? Water logging will increase the incidence of disease  Water-use efficiency research at UGA showed that during a 6 week trial, Vinca (Catharanthus roseus) could be grown with liter of water without reduction in mass or quality

70. Why don’t we use soil in containers?  Key reason – too many fine particles, which leads to waterlogging  Also, bottom of container creates a barrier to drainage resulting in a “perched” water table  The smaller the particle size, the higher the perched table  Soilless substrates degrade in time and act like soils

71. Container Size and Water Holding Capacity Given the same substrate Squat containers hold more water Given the same volume Moisture/air gradient – capillary action

72. AFP and WHC based on Container Size Adapted from A Grower’s Guide to Water, Media, & Nutrition for Greenhouse Crops, Ed. David Wm. Reed, 1996. % Water % Solid % Air

73. Plant Available Water  Soils and substrates have the ability to hold and release water  Some water is available for the plants  Some water is not available for the plants …even though the substrate or soil may seem moist  Why? Recall our lesson about particle size and water attraction

74. Plant Available Water Electron micrograph of Sphagnum Peat

75. Plant Available Water  Soils and substrates have the ability to hold and release water  Some water is available for the plants  Some water is not available for the plants Even though the substrate or soil may seem moist  Why? Recall our lesson about particle size water attraction  Plant Available Water is the water that held by the soil or substrate Divided into: Easily Available Water and Water Buffer Capacity

76. Plant Available Water (Handreck & Black, 1994)

77. 0 -5-10 0 100 Volume % (20 cm high pot) Suction applied (kPa) Solids Air Total Pore Space Water Air Air Filled Porosity (at container capacity) Readily available water Easily Available Buffer capacity Unavailable Water (progressively) set points 7 kPa = 1 PSI

78. Finding Plant Available Water  Desorption curves generated using a custom-built desorption table using 5 and 20cm long Ech 2 O capacitance sensors.  Ten columns were simultaneously desorbed for each substrate (n=30).

79.  Each column was packed by slowly adding and settling the substrate with water  Each column had a capacitance probe sealed into the top polycarbonate lid, positioned centrally and vertically down the column  Once sealed, each column was slowly hydrated over 6 hours to gradually force the interstitial air out of the substrate Finding Plant Available Water

80.  Positive gas pressure was incrementally applied at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kPa  The volume of water expressed at each pressure increment was measured for each column Finding Plant Available Water

81. 100% Perlite 80 Pine Bark : 20 Peat 100% Coir 100% Pine Bark 80 Peat: 20 Perlite Pressure (kPa)Distribution of Water (%) EAW (1 to 5)36.040.032.634.643.7 WBC (5 to 10) 1.2 7.0 2.1 2.213.1 PUW ( >10 )62.853.065.363.2 34.1* † Total volume of the 5-cm column = 722 mL. Note that CC = TP - AS. Use CC values to interconvert data. * An additional 9.1 % water was expressed from this substrate between 10 and 60 kPa (to total 100%) Results – Physical Properties (5cm columns)

83. Determination of Leaching Fraction

87. Knowledge Center - Access to Online Resources Andrew G. Ristvey Extension Specialist Commercial Horticulture University of Maryland Extension Wye Research and Education Center College of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Maryland Substrate Technology, Water and Mineral Nutrition in Protected Agriculture Workshop Day 3 Topic 9