Hydroponic Growth Media (Substrate): A Review | International Research Journal of Pure and Applied..

Scientists experimented on different substrate medias used in hydroponic systems, according to the reviewed literature. They also looked at various media combinations and their effect on crop development. Scientists have investigated various organic and inorganic media, such as cocopit, saw dust, rice husk vermiculite, perlite, hydroton, pumice, and sand, according to the reviewed literature. It was also discovered that these media are not readily, inexpensively, or locally accessible to consumers. Aside from that, a few scientists looked into the physical and chemical properties of media including particle size, porosity, bulk density, wettability, water holding capacity (WHC), and air filled porosity (AFP), These media's electrical conductivity and pH. Many scientists studied and published on the crop specific suitability of combinations of different media mixtures. Salinity of media resulted in a linear decrease in water intake, according to a study of the literature. The scale and shape of the particle size distribution can be used to estimate the media's hydraulic properties.Longterm cultivation of the substrate increases organic matter content and microorganism activity, resulting in increased oxygen competition in the root environment.According to the crop and its sensitivity to various salinity levels, the optimum EC levels range from 1.5 to 4.0 dSm-1. It was also discovered that a temperature for the rising medium that is similar to that of the ambient air appears to be more suitable. The ideal substrate has a total porosity of more than 85%. Smaller individual grain particles have a greater specific surface region.

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