Abstract
Water retention was measured in soilless potting media irrigated by capillary mat, flood and drain, drip or overhead sprinkler. Media were amended with wetting agent or hydrophilic polymeric gel. Pots 12 cm high with a volume of 465 cm3 were loose-filled to the top with media. Potted media were wetted overhead with 120 ml water, then pots were randomly assigned to irrigation treatments. Capillary mat irrigation was continuous; other irrigation treatments were applied daily. Water retention was measured by weighing. Irrigation was continued until no further retention was measured. Water retention was significantly affected by irrigation method and medium amendments. Irrigation method followed the order overhead >= drip > flood and drain >= mat. Hydrophilic gel increased water retention, but in contrast to previous results, wetting agent did not, nor was any interaction of gel and wetting agent observed. Retention of water at container capacity, measured in situ at the end of each experiment, was significantly larger than actual retention.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
