Standard Test Method for Determining the Physical Properties of Horticultural Growing Media Utilizing a Porometer

Importancia y uso:

5.1 The porometer was developed in 1988 at North Carolina State University-Raleigh. It was originally designed as a research tool to measure structure for horticultural substrates. The substrates were blends of materials using one or more components, such as peat moss and pine bark. Prior to the creation of the porometer, soil retention curves were the primary method used to evaluate horticultural substrate.

5.2 Over the course of testing many substrates, it became clear that differences during the creation of the structure impacted the test results. The main cause for variation in test results between multiple laboratories could be attributed to unstable structure creation. It is important for the substrate to have a structure that does not change and is stable.

5.3 This method can be used in quality control, in development of new substrate mixes, and for comparison testing.

Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the suitability of the equipment and facility used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some, but not all, of those factors.

Subcomité:

D18.22

Volúmen:

04.09

Palabras clave:

air space; container capacity; growth medium; horticulture; horticulture components; organic; peat; porometer; porosity; substrates;