PJB-2011-62
EFFECT OF DIATOMITE ON GROWTH OF STRAWBERRY
ILKER ANGIN1, MURAT KOSE2 AND RAFET ASLANTAS3
Abstract
Diatomite is a sedimentary rock primarily composed of the fossilized remains of unicellular fresh water plants known as Diatoms. However, its usage in horticulture is not common. It is mostly used as a filter material in industry. It is very finely porous, very low in density, and essentially chemically inert in most liquids and gases. These properties make diatomite an excellent growing media for horticultural applications. This study was carried out to characterize some physical and physico-chemical properties of diatomite and its potential use as a growing media for strawberry. For this aim two grades (2-4 mm (DE-I) and 4-8 mm (DE-II)) of diatomite and three amendment levels were used. Results obtained from this study have shown that diatomite is an effective amendment to improve water holding capacity of light textured soils. Among the substrates tested, the highest water retention capacity was obtained from 30% DE-I treatment.
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