Water potential and hydraulic conductivity of peat growth media in containers during drying.

Abstract

The matric potential and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of peat-based growth media in containers was measured continuously as a function of drying. The particle size distribution and the water retention characteristics of the media were determined from parallel samples. The growth media used were a light, coarse graded peat, a medium graded peat and a mixture of a perlite and the medium graded peat. Containers of two types were packed with the media and allowed to evaporate from saturation. Matric potential was measured automatically using tensiometers during drying.SphagnumSphagnumSphagnum-5-10