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Must know this before farming Soil with/without Perlite-Erakina

April 15, 2022 3 Mins Read
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Defining Perlite soil

  • At its crux, perlite refers to a structureless volcanic glass with a chemical formation called SiO2.
  • It has a high water retention ability, relatively higher than many other volcanic glasses.

Perlite Soil In The Making                                                                                         Perlites being added to non-perlite soil

  • Due to its natural occurrence and its high hydration content, it is mined worldwide.

Perlite Mineral- Characteristic Analysis

  • In Pre-processing, perlite minerals are black or dark grey.
  • Perlite minerals are natural minerals with low density. 
  • Post-processing, when it is ready to be mixed with soil, perlite takes the form of styrofoam balls.
  • Perlite turns exceptionally lightweight and non-toxic.
  • They are usually bright white.

Perlite Soil

 Perlite in the backyard

Perlite- Characteristic Analysis

  • Perlite soil is amended and improved soil quality, so its characteristics are straightforward. Most significantly, perlite does not deteriorate.
  • Soil is light, airy and drains well.
  • It aerates the soil, just enough for the plant roots to get oxygen.
  • It loosens up heavy clay soil, so that water doesn’t pool on the surface of the soil.
  • It also insulates the soil from temperature fluctuations.
  • This soil, thus, prevents soil induced problems such as root rot, fungal issues or bacterial diseases.
  • Resultantly, it is the most ideal soil type for pots, patio plantings, window boxes and ornamental containers.

Perlite- A Gardener’s Favourite

  • The alternate name for perlite minerals may give us a heads up on why the mixing of processed volcanic glass in their soil is every gardener’s preference.
  • Pertile mineral is alternatively known as ‘volcanic popcorn’ because when heated, it can expand up to sixteen times its original size.
  • What this entails is that its expansion causes its density to lower further than it already, thus making it extremely porous. 
  • Now, porousness is a quality that is one of the most favourable soil qualities.
  • Soil porousness makes the plant soil have moisture-absorbent qualities, which is essentially what the processed perlite contains.
  • Undoubtedly, perlite mixed soil improves the soil performance and results in better gardening results. 

Perlite Soil plants

Perlite plants in the house

Soil Without Perlite

  • The sole purpose of adding perlite to any soil is for its improved quality to benefit better plant growth.
  • So, naturally, soil without perlite will have its shortcomings.
  • Without perlite, the soil will not have guaranteed aeration and drainage – two very important characteristics for the maintenance of soil nutrients.
  • Without perlite, the soil is not guaranteed to survive temperature fluctuations from changing seasons. 

Why Choose Perlite

  • The addition of perlite soil is of course not of utmost necessity for better plant growth. It is not the last element required to guarantee a gardener the best plant growth. 
  • But, in a time like today when every type of agriculture yields a good income, perlite soil is the best organic non-toxic solution for better higher plant growth while maintaining the soil nutrients.
  • In an age of chemicals and fertilizers that guarantee quicker plant growth but shorten the longevity of good soil quality, perlite is nature’s lottery! 
  • So, wide use of perlite soil seems to be the solution to almost all major agriculture problems. 
  • But now the question arises – how can everyone have access to perlite soil and solve this agricultural issue once and for all?

Market For Perlite

  • The answer to perlite soil’s availability is as simple as its complicity involved in the mass implementation of perlite soil. 
  • The market for perlite across agriculturally rich countries like India is very reasonable and widely accessible. 
  • Even in the countries whose economy is heavily dependent on industrial mining, the export rates of perlite are cheap and therefore, very in demand.
  • Per bag of perlite, soil costs about Rs. 185 in India and that is just the trade within the country. 
  • Perlite thus has a highly demanded and active market, with agriculturists from all financial backgrounds wanting their farms to yield the highest.

Internal links:

Why soil testing is important? – Erakina

Do you Know? what is under your feet? the soil uderwater- ERAKINA

Soil Pollution: Causes, Consequences, and Control -Erakina

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Read more about soil

By Devanshi Nigotiya

Date: 07/04/2022

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