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vol. 7, nr. 4 (2006)
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The organic substrates in greenhouse cucumber production as an alternative to the rockwool
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Józef Babik
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Research Institute of Vegetable Crops, ul. Konstytucji 3 Maja 1/3, 96-100 Skierniewice |
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vol. 7 (2006), nr. 4,
pp. 809-820
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abstract:
In the years 2001-2002 chopped straw and its mixture with different environment-friendly organic growing media were used in greenhouse cucumber production as an alternative to rockwool. The following substrates were tested: coarse chopped straw chaff, fine chopped straw chaff, fine chaff mixed with bark at the ratio of 2:1, fine chaff mixed with bark at the ratio of 1:2, fine chaff mixed with sawdust, peat substrate, regular straw bale, and rockwool. Materials chopped into small pieces were formed under high pressure into block-shaped plates and inserted into plastic sacs. During the whole cultivation season fertigation was applied, with a nutrient solution that contained in 1 liter: N-NO-3 - 250-300 mg, P – 40-50 mg, K – 250-320 mg, Mg – 50-65 mg, Ca – 200-225 mg, S – 45-60 mg, Fe – 1.6-2.4 mg, Mn – 0.72 mg, B – 0.27 mg, Cu – 0.13 mg, Zn – 0.13 mg, Mo – 0.04 mg. The solution pH was 5.6-5.8. At the beginning of the growing season, high microbial activity in most of the organic substrates increased potassium content and decreased nitrogen level, and thus the nutrient composition of the fertigation solution had to be modified during plant growth. Because of the biological activity, the temperature of organic substrates was about 2o C higher compared with rockwool plates. The best yields were achieved with all straw-based substrates. For the traditionally formed straw bales the yield of cucumbers was insignificantly lower.
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keywords:
cucumber, straw, substrate, fertigation
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original in:
Polish
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