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The Use of Wood Fiber for Reducing Risks of Hydrophobicity in Peat-Based Substrates.

Authors :
Durand, Stan
Jackson, Brian E.
Fonteno, William C.
Michel, Jean-Charles
Tedeschi, Anna
Source :
Agronomy; May2021, Vol. 11 Issue 5, p907, 1p
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Peat substrates are well known to become hydrophobic during desiccation, thus degrading their water retention properties. Synthetic wetting agents are commonly incorporated to limit the risk of hydrophobicity, but substrates companies are searching for more sustainable alternatives. To that end, the effect of wood fiber addition in peat-based mixes was measured using contact angles and hydration curves. The study was carried out on two raw materials (white milled peat and wood fiber) and binary mixes. The results showed a shift from hydrophilic to more hydrophobic character with a decrease in the ability to rewet of peat-based substrates in relation to the intensity of drying, whereas wood fiber remained hydrophilic. Increasing wood fiber content in peat-based mixes improved the rehydration efficiency, but with a lower intensity of that measured with synthetic wetting agent addition. Our results highlighted the hydrophilic nature of wood fiber and demonstrated an additional benefit of wood fiber use in peat-based growing media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20734395
Volume :
11
Issue :
5
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Agronomy
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
150477734
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11050907