What is the pH value?

The pH value represents the pH of the matrix itself: pH=7 is neutral, pH

Changes in pH are recorded in multiples of 10, which means that for every unit increase or decrease in pH, the pH value increases or decreases by 10 times. For example, pH9 (10-9 hydrogen ion equivalents per litre) is 10 times more alkaline than pH8 (10-8 hydrogen ion equivalents per litre), and 100 times more alkaline than pH7 (10-7 hydrogen ion equivalents per litre).

What effect does the pH value of the substrate have on crops grown in soilless cultivation?

Different planting substrates exhibit different acidity and alkalinity according to different substrate materials, including acidic, alkaline and neutral.

The pH of the substrate will indirectly affect the effective absorption of various elements in the nutrient solution by soilless cultivation crops, leading to crop nutritional imbalance, such as:

① When the pH value in the substrate is too high (pH>7): it will lead to the precipitation of trace elements such as iron, manganese, copper and zinc in the nutrient solution, making the crops unable to effectively absorb such trace elements. At the same time, too high a pH value will also cause It will lead to increased solubility of aluminium and manganese in the nutrient solution, causing plant intolerance;

② When the pH value in the substrate is too low (pH<5), due to the antagonistic effect of hydrogen ions, the absorption of calcium by crops will be blocked, causing plant calcium deficiency.

An environment that is too acidic or too alkaline will affect the balance and stability of the nutrient solution. Since the pH value inside the UPuper® rockwool grows medium is alkaline, in order to allow the elements in the nutrient solution to fully play their role and ensure the good growth of plants, it is necessary to leave it in a slightly acidic environment.

Generally speaking, we adjust the pH value of UPuper® rock wool substrate to pH5.5-6.5

Most crops used for hydroponic cultivation in greenhouses prefer a slightly acidic environment with a pH of 5.5-6.5, but there are exceptions. For example, blueberries prefer a slightly acidic environment, and spinach prefers a neutral environment. Growers can adjust the pH according to the actual needs of the crops. The pH of the Garden® Rockwool growing media.

AiPu® rockwool matrix is an inorganic and inert planting matrix with a stable and uniform pH value. The physical and chemical properties of the rockwool matrix produced in each batch can be basically the same, and will not mix with the nutrient solution during the planting process of crops. Any component in the product undergoes a physical or chemical reaction to avoid changes in the internal pH value of the substrate that may affect the healthy growth of crops.

Compared with rock wool substrates, organic substrates such as coconut bran and peat have certain nutrient adsorption and release capabilities, which means that these organic substrates may cause certain chemical reactions or ion exchanges with the nutrient solution. The process can easily lead to changes in the pH value of the crop nutrient solution.

Especially during the long-term planting process, it is easy to cause large changes in the EC and pH of the rhizosphere of the crop roots, which in turn increases the risk of premature senescence of the crop. This is not conducive to the production management of the second half of the crop planting cycle and may include but not be limited to crop yield reduction, product quality decline and other issues.