Alternatif Tarim Inc. uses pumice, a volcanic stone, as the main raw material in the production of organomineral soil conditioners and fertilizers. Alternatif Tarim Inc. produces pumice from its own resources. And with its current bed reserve of 1 billion cubic meters, it is among the most important pumice producers not only in Turkey but also in the world.
Pumice reduces heating costs, which are the most important expense item in greenhouses, due to its high water retention and heat storage. Pumice ensures aeration due to its intensely porous structure while also eliminating drainage problems. Our pumice not only improves the physical conditions of the environment but also improves its chemical properties for the benefit of plants. It also does not contain heavy metals that may harm human and plant health. Alternatif Tarim Inc.’s machinery park is planned to be sufficient for production in all sizes from 0.1mm to 10 cm diameter.
Why is Soilless Agriculture Necessary?
As is known, in greenhouse farming, since intensive irrigation, fertilization and soil cultivation are carried out, greenhouse soils lose their properties quickly, resulting in hard, salty, chemically contaminated soils. Apart from this, pests such as nematodes and fungi that are very difficult to remove once they contaminate the soil are also found in greenhouse soils. For this reason, greenhouse soils are either completely changed or removed and aerated every few years, bringing great costs to our farmers. In recent years, soilless agriculture application has started to gain importance to eliminate salinity, soil pests and other negative problems.
Benefits of Soilless Agriculture
Possibility of agricultural production in places where soil is not suitable
Since soilless agriculture is a production method that can be done without being dependent on soil, agriculture can also be done in unsuitable areas.
Earliness, yield and quality increase
Since it provides balanced nutrition and care opportunities, plants yield earlier and more. Since the desired nutrient elements are given to plants at the necessary time and in amounts, there is an opportunity to obtain early and quality products.
Controlled feeding of plants
It is possible to select the nutrient elements to be given to plants and to give them at the desired time and amounts. Thus, plant nutrition can be done in a controlled manner. It becomes easier to fertilize plants equally, ensuring their equal growth and development and obtaining close yields. The harmful effects of some nutrient elements (such as Manganese, Iron, Zinc, Molybdenum, Copper) can be avoided. Problems such as pH and salinity that have a negative effect on plant nutrition in soil cultivation can be prevented. In addition, since temperature and oxygen control can be done in the environment around the root, the plants’ performance in utilizing nutrients is positively affected.
Water economy and control
In soil agriculture, water given to plants is used excessively through seepage into the soil, being held in the soil or due to evaporation. Irrigation in agricultural areas also requires a lot of expense every year for processes such as creating water furrows or ponds. In soilless agriculture, water given is measurable and given to plants in a controlled manner, so it is not wasted much and since it is connected to automation, irrigation systems require less money.
Reduction of energy and labor
Significant savings are obtained in the labor required for operations in soil agriculture because technological and automation systems are completely involved. Less energy is consumed.
Disease, pest and weed control
The nutrient solution and growing medium used for plant nutrition can be sterilized. Thus, root-borne diseases can be prevented. In addition, since there is controlled production during the growing period, the risk of disease and pests can be greatly reduced. Since the growing medium is water or solid medium, there is no weed problem.
Soilless Agriculture with Pumice
Pumice is a volcanic-origin, porous stone. It is an ideal growing medium in soilless agriculture due to its lightness, high water holding capacity and excellent drainage properties.
Advantages of Pumice
- Provides irrigation economy with high water holding capacity
- Excellent ventilation and drainage with porous structure
- Disease and pest-free environment with sterile structure
- Long-lasting and reusable
- pH value is ideal for plant cultivation
- Ease of transportation and use with its light structure
Application Areas
Pumice-based soilless agriculture systems are successfully used in the production of vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants and cut flowers. Especially in greenhouse cultivation, high yield and quality are obtained in products such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, and strawberries.