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

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.

                                                                                        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 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 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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