User Guide

ORGANIC SUBSTRATE (PEAT AND MOULD)ORGANIC SUBSTRATE (PEAT AND MOULD)

ORGANIC SUBSTRATE (PEAT AND MOULD)

pH measurement of organic substrates is important in greenhouses and nursery

growing pots. pH should be checked at the outset to make sure that the pH of

the substrate bought is that desired (pH can change if too much time elapses

from the date of packaging to the moment of utilization).

A) Direct Measurement in pot

If the substrate is not wet, add a little distilled water. Insert the electrode into

the soil and measure.

B) Measurement of the Organic Substrate Solution (1: 2 ratio).

Let the substrate dry;

Discard the coarse vegetable residues and pebbles;

In a beaker, prepare a solution composed of 1 part mould and 2 parts HI 7051

solution (for example: fill the beaker with the substrate up to 50 ml, press it

gently, empty the content in an other container and add 100 ml of HI 7051

solution);

Mix for 30 seconds and then wait for 5 minutes;

Mix again and measure the pH of the solution.

NUTRIENT SOLUTIONNUTRIENT SOLUTION

NUTRIENT SOLUTION

A rational fertilization is needed for optimum growth of plants in greenhouses;

the pH of a nutrient solution (water + fertilizer) has to meet the plants need.

If you have a fertirrigation system with automatic pH control, ensure that it is

functioning properly.

Check the pH of the solution distributed to the plants as well as any recycled

solutions.

IRRIGATION WATERIRRIGATION WATER

IRRIGATION WATER

The quality of irrigation water is a very important factor to consider. If the pH

value is very far from neutral (pH=7), probably, other anomalies are present.

Ranges for evaluation of water quality:

- good from 6 to 8,5

it can be utilized without problems

- sufficient from 5 to 6 and from 8,5 to 9

sensible crops could have problems

- scarce from 4 to 5 and from 9 to 10

utilize it carefully, avoid wetting the vegetation

- very scarce with pH < 4 and pH > 10

There are other anomalies that have to be identified via chemical analysis.