Improvement in the retention and distribution of water in green walls using alternative materials as a growing media

Abstract

This work shows how coconut fiber mixed with rice husk is useful as a growing medium in green walls, reducing the environmental impact of the Sphagnum moss exploitation in the long term. For this, a prototype of green walls was designed to analyze the difference between both substrates. The runoff and the water retention of the substrates were analyzed by flow and humidity sensors. The substrate composed of rice husk and coconut fiber showed greater homogeneity in the distribution of irrigation water than Sphagnum moss. The chlorophyll analyzes showed statistically significant differences between the plant material planted in the coconut fiber substrate and rice husk than in the Sphagnum, but no differences were found in biomass and water content.

Keywords

• Sphagnum
• sustratos alternativos
• Jardín vertical
• Flujo de agua