Analysis of water movement in peatbags used for the Kagawa strawberry substrate culture system [Japan]

• Published in: Bulletin of the Kagawa Prefecture Agricultural Experiment Station (Japan) no. 57
• Main Authors: Yamaji, M.(Kagawa-ken. Agricultural Experiment Station, Takamatsu(Japan)), Ushida, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: 01.03.2005
• Subjects: CULTURE MEDIA; FRAGARIA ANANASSA; IRRIGATION; MEDIO DE CULTIVO; MILIEU DE CULTURE; MOUVEMENT DE L'EAU DANS LE SOL; MOVIMIENTO DEL AGUA EN EL SUELO; PEAT; RADIACION SOLAR; RADIATION SOLAIRE; RIEGO; SOIL WATER MOVEMENT; SOLAR RADIATION; TOURBE; TURBA
• ISSN: 0374-8804

We conducted an investigation of water movement in peatbags and growth accompanying changes in solar radiation and irrigation in the Kagawa strawberry substrate culture system (Rakuchin). 1. The water content of the substrate increased constantly for five days after setting and thereafter remained almost level. The water content rate became high from the start in the parts containing the roots. 2. At the bottom of the peatbag, the water content increased from the central part where roots were present at the time of setting, and rate of the increase was accelerated by shading and high irrigation. 3. In fine weather, there was no stagnation in the peatbag. In cloudy weather, water movement to the upper part of the peatbag was slow. 4. With plentiful irrigation, there were no symptoms of weak coloration among veins of new leaves or slow growth. 5. It was concluded that in the Rakuchin system, peatbags at the beginning of irrigation do not suffer water excess or deficiency, nor do they develop water stagnation. Furthermore, it seems that an increase of irrigation has no influence on the growth of the "Nyohou" strawberry cultivar.