Summary
We determined the degree of peat decomposition by measuring the reflectivity of near red rays (λ=650 nm) on 194 Sphagnum peat samples. This technique was simple, fast, inexpensive and reliable. The percentage reflectivity was highly correlated with the concentration of soluble humic substances (r=0.88), and with the maximum water holding capacity (r=0.92). Thus, the measure of reflectivity can be used advantageously to evaluate the degree of decomposition of Sphagnum peat related to its horticultural potential as growing medium.
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Grandmaison, J., Laflamme, Y. Evaluation of peat decomposition by reflectivity. Plant Soil 93, 147–152 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02377156
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02377156