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631.4 L. M. Shtyagina, E. L. Illarionova, T. I. Chufarovskaya, and N. I. SverdlovaArtificial soil compositions have been used as substrates for growing plants on the basis of modified polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers and films of sodium alginate. The agrophysical characteristics of these artificial substrates based on modified PAN fibers indicate that such composites have low volume mass, high water capacity, and a good level of capillary water rise. These artificial substrates provide for normal plant development. At the end of the experiments, the root systems of grasses had penetrated the substrates, which provided for firm plant embedding. Most of the parameters for grass on artificial substrates correspond to those for grass grown on natural soil, and in some cases even exceed those results. The best results are obtained with fibers modified by urea (PAN-KA), because urea acts as a nutrient during growth. Artificial soils containing alginate films bearing mineral nutrients have also given good results. In that case it is possible to mount the seeds directly on the film, which provides for convenient transportation and facilitates planting.There are practical applications requiring complete or partial transfer to artificial conditions for growing plants: these are life support systems designed for long-term independent existence such as in space vehicles, Arctic and Antarctic stations, regions in the Far East, and long-distance ships.A major problem in cultivating plants under artificial conditions is to provide proper root nutrition media. Scientists worked on soil substrate replacements beginning in the middle of the 19th century, when it became clear that actual soil is essentially a supplier of mineral elements and mechanical support to plants.The first artificial root feeding medium consisted of aqueous salt solutions containing inorganic elements needed by plants (hydroponics). The commonest method involved water culture on solid carriers (substrates) on the basis that plants are seeded on some solid medium periodically flushed by nutrient solutions.The most promising method is to grow plants on ion-exchanger soil; by such soils are meant artificial nutrient media based on ion-exchange materials, which contain chemically attached inorganic nutrients, which are gradually given up to the roots of the plants on treatment with water [1-3].One form of such soil employs ion-exchange fibers and various textile compositions based on them [4]. They should have reasonably high exchange capacity for inorganic nutrients and not release biologically damaging substances while having satisfactory strength, good hydrophilicity, and capillary action. Recently, artificial soils have been simplified and cheapened by using gel-bearing polymers, in particular alginate, into which are introduced inorganic elements needed by plants for normal development, together with microorganisms, biostimulators, substances to regulate the pH, and so on. Also, plant seeds can be placed in modules made of gel-forming polymers, which is conve...
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