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Finding high quality, low cost, easily available, and environmentally friendly constituents is one of the growing media industry’s biggest challenges. During the past few decades more attention has been paid to biochar for its potential use in agriculture, the energy sector, and for environmental purposes. This work examines the application of biochar as an alternate to peat moss and perlite in growing media.

Column experiments were conducted to assess the bioclogging characteristics of peat vs. sand used in biofilters. It was concluded that the pore structure of the peat allowed the biomass to distribute itself over a greater depth within the peat biofilter and delayed the formation of a biomat at the surface and eventual clogging of the filter medium.

Hydraulic and thermal efficiency of green roofs are largely dependent on the water retention properties of the materials used as base products for green roof substrate fabrication. The theoretical approach and simulation of interactions between water transport processes and heat flow are of great interest for optimizing the material choice and green roof layout.

We review changes in the wettability of organic materials used in horticulture in relation to their water content and impacts on their physical properties. Beyond horticultural growing media, this approach could be generalized to understand the physical behavior of water-repellent soils and determine the effects of organic matter on some physical characteristics (e.g., soil structure, runoff risks).

Worldwide, economic and environmental pressures are leading to changes in the choice of materials for use in growing media. We review the principal organic constituents of media and their properties.

We present oxygen diffusion and water retention data measured in near zero (micro-) gravity aboard the International Space Station. Results suggest higher percolation thresholds and tortuosities during drainage that are caused by heterogeneities in the water distribution not observed for hydrostatic conditions on Earth. These findings are important to control water and gases in root zones for successful plant growth in space.

Romaine lettuce is at significant risk of water stress during periods of high evapotranspiration demand. Marketable yields can be substantially reduced by the appearance of tip burn. The mechanisms of water flow in the root zone of organic soil were investigated with HYDRUS-2D; the results show a strong link between tip burn and insufficient root water uptake, consistent with field observations.

Maps of soil water availability for plants are a tool for precision irrigation management, allowing the growers to save water and apply an accurate amount of water in appropriate areas.

Organic growing media are made of a mixture of organic and mineral components. They have been classically used in greenhouse and nursery production, but their use is now rapidly expanding. They also show many similarities to muck soil, being composed of material of similar botanical origin. Classical concepts derived from mineral soil physics need to be adapted to optimize crop growth and water use.

After the conversion of natural peatland in this study into agricultural land began 50 yr ago, the organic topsoil became compacted and developed drainage issues, which may soon reduce crop yield.

In this study, we characterized the water-holding characteristics of organic soils using various methods. This information is useful for computer models that help optimize water use in agriculture.

This study will contribute to a better efficiency in water use for pot plants, taking into account the evolution of the hydraulic properties of the main growing media used in horticulture.

This editorial highlights contributions to the special issue, Organic Materials Used in Agriculture, Horticulture, Reconstructed Soils, and Filtering Applications.

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