The WOK analysis developed by RHP gives insight in the water uptake VELOCITY of GROWING MEDIA
The velocity of water uptake can strongly vary per substrate. The WOK analysis developed by RHP gives insight in the water uptake velocity of growing media. The analysis results help choosing the substrate that fits the way of cultivation most.
Steady crop development
Substrate that is able to take up water from dry conditions, is also more able to distribute water and fertilisers in the root ball more equally. As a result, the crop grows more equally. Insight in the velocity of water uptake of your substrate is therefore valuable.
Dry growing or flooded benches culture system?
A quick and easy water uptake of the substrate is in many culture situations very important. In situations of consciously dry growing or a flooded benches culture system, the added value is the supreme. This is because the moisture content of the root balls in such a growing situation can strongly vary. The rows of pots on the outside of the cultivation section can become dry. If your substrate is able to take up water from dry conditions quickly, this helps to distribute water and also fertilisers in the pot equally. And that contributes to a good steady crop development.
WOK analysis
The WOK analysis:
Which velocity do you need?
Do you also want to know if a substrate fits your growing situation and way of watering regarding the water uptake velocity? Ask your supplier or one of the RHP certified companies for the water uptake characteristic of the substrate.
Further improvement of recipes
Substrates have been composed of various raw materials and additives. Every part of the recipe has its own rate of water uptake. Insight in these values and how the raw materials and additives react to each other is important to advise the appropriate recipe per culture and culture method.
Explanation WOK analysis
In the event of a laboratory analysis, a substrate is brought to a very low moisture content in a standard method. Then the samples are put on a layer of water of a few millimetres for 24 hours. In this way it is examined how quickly the substrate takes up water under dry conditions. The water uptake is continuously measured at this. The time in which the substrate attains 50 percent of its potential water uptake, is determinant for the water uptake characteristic.
How quick is your substrate?
Do you want to develop your substrate recipes (further) so that water is taken up more quickly from a dry situation? RHP likes to advise you and can execute a WOK analysis on your request.
