Hydrophysical Properties of Growing Media Prepared by Addition of Organic and Inorganic Materials to Fine Textured Soil

The purpose of this study was to determine the hydrophysical properties of the growing media prepared by mixing different doses of inorganic materials such as pumice and perlite, and organic material such as peat into fine textured soil. moisture content from hydrophysical properties of growing media was determined by drying saturated samples under controlled conditions and saturated hydraulic conductivity was determined according to the constant water head method. the results indicated that the mean volumetric moisture content of the samples from the saturation state until the end of the moisture loss was the highest in the “peat:soil” media (34.1%) and the lowest in the “pumice: soil” media (22.9%). it was also determined that water holding capacity of the mixing media at 25%:75% pumice and perlite was higher than these of the other mixing media. saturated hydraulic conductivity values of the growing media were significantly affected by both material (pumice, perlite and peat) and mixture rates. as a result of the multiple comparison test, it was determined that materials and mixture ratios were different (p <0.05) in terms of the effect of pumice, perlite and peat on hydraulic conductivity. in conclusion it can be stated that the addition of the materials used in this study to a fine textured soil would have effects on physical properties of the growing media and would contribute positively on both living activities and plant development.