Abstract
A REVIEW of the recent progress in soil-less cultivation has recently been given by Prof. R. H. Stoughton (J. Min. Agric., 49, 25; 1942). In spite of many misconceptions and difficulties, steady progress has been made both in the laboratory and on small-scale semi-commercial installations, and a stage appears to have been reached when some reliable judgment can be formed on the question. Two types of systems are in use: (1) in which the plants are grown in a tank of nutrient solution with the roots immersed in a liquid medium ; (2) where the permanent substratum is an inert material such as sand or gravel, to which nutrient solution is supplied at intervals. Carefully controlled trials have shown that in general the first of these is unsuitable for use in Great Britain, owing to the difficulty of securing adequate aeration for the roots, and the low light intensity. Far more promising results have been obtained with the second method, which may be considered under two main headings, namely, sand and sub-irrigation culture. In sand culture the plants are fed by watering on the nutrient solution from above, the surplus liquid draining away. Tomatoes, chrysanthemums, lettuce and a wide range of vegetables gave very satisfactory crops under these conditions, and promising results have been obtained with carnations using a slightly modified and simplified technique.
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Soil-less Cultivation. Nature 150, 174 (1942). https://doi.org/10.1038/150174a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/150174a0