Summary
Soil/air temperature differences were measured in 15 cm diameter plastic pots and in 30-cm diameter fibre pots under high radiant flux densities in a controlled environment cabinet. When there was no surface insulation or shading on the sides of the plastic pots, soil temperatures at −1 cm equilibrated at 7.5°C above air temperature. Reflective surface covering and shading on the sides of the pot reduced this difference to 2.4°C. In the fibre pots with reflective surface covering and side shading, soil equilibrium temperature was 1°C below air temperature, but equilibration time was 8 to 9 hours following day/night temperature changes.
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References
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Watts, W.R. Air and soil temperature differences in controlled environments, as a consequence of high radiant flux densities and of day/night temperature changes. Plant Soil 42, 299–303 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02186991
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02186991