Substrates of pumice and trumao soil with bark humus: a possibility for recycling an industrial waste

Abstract

The physical and chemical characteristics of two substrates, pumice with bark humus and trumao soil with bark humus, were studied to identify their possible utilization in plant production. It was determined that a presence of bark pumice of over 50% of the total mixture has a positive influence on the water and nutritional regime, being necessary to supplement those elements which do not reach adequate levels due to reactions with the bark humus or because of their low original content. The supplemental dosis must be determined through chemical characterization, because the different origin of pumice, trumao soil and bark humus could give different values from those indicated in the present study.