@article{durand_fonteno_michel_2024, title={A review and analysis of particle size parameters and their relationships to physical properties of growing media}, ISSN={["1435-0661"]}, DOI={10.1002/saj2.20661}, abstractNote={Abstract}, journal={SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL}, author={Durand, Stan and Fonteno, William Carl and Michel, Jean-Charles}, year={2024}, month={Mar} }
 @article{durand_jackson_fonteno_michel_2023, title={Quantitative Description and Classification of Growing Media Particle Morphology through Dynamic Image Analysis}, volume={13}, ISSN={["2077-0472"]}, DOI={10.3390/agriculture13020396}, abstractNote={The physical properties of growing media are dependent on the morphological characteristics of the particles composing them. Thus, their characteristics can be more precisely altered for specific purposes by a better morphological design of materials to optimize the use of raw materials and increase water efficiency. There are many references on the relationship between basic particle size and physical properties, but the arrangement of the particles and the resulting physical properties are also affected by the shape of the particles. Growing media have seldom been characterized by shape criteria and, therefore, their influence remains unknown. A dynamic image analyzer, the QicPic device, was used to assess particle shape and size for a wide diversity of growing media constituents. As well as FeretMAX and ChordMIN diameters describing individual particle length and width, respectively, individual particle shape was analyzed in terms of several descriptors (aspect ratio, circularity, roundness, and convexity). A classification was established to discern different particle shapes and all materials were described accordingly. Correlations between particle morphology descriptors were reported, showing that the greater the particle length, the smaller the width/length ratio, circularity, roundness, and convexity. Circularity, roundness, particle length, and its associated relative span were identified as the most relevant parameters describing materials’ morphology. This work shows a large diversity in particle morphology of growing media constituents, which were categorized into four classes of materials. Three classes were mainly described according to their particle shapes, with a decreasing elongation and an increasing circularity, roundness, and convexity: (1) fine and coarse wood and coir fibers; (2) all Sphagnum white peats, milled or sod; and (3) black peats, sedge peat, coir pith, fresh and composted pine bark, green waste compost, and perlite. A fourth class was represented by coir medium (mixing pith and fibers) and was above all characterized by high diversity in particle length. These findings extend the characterization of the materials for a more thorough evaluation of the links between particle morphology and physical properties.}, number={2}, journal={AGRICULTURE-BASEL}, author={Durand, Stan and Jackson, Brian E. and Fonteno, William C. and Michel, Jean-Charles}, year={2023}, month={Feb} }
 @article{durand_jackson_fonteno_michel_2021, title={The Use of Wood Fiber for Reducing Risks of Hydrophobicity in Peat-Based Substrates}, volume={11}, ISSN={["2073-4395"]}, DOI={10.3390/agronomy11050907}, abstractNote={Peat substrates are well known to become hydrophobic during desiccation, thus degrading their water retention properties. Synthetic wetting agents are commonly incorporated to limit the risk of hydrophobicity, but substrates companies are searching for more sustainable alternatives. To that end, the effect of wood fiber addition in peat-based mixes was measured using contact angles and hydration curves. The study was carried out on two raw materials (white milled peat and wood fiber) and binary mixes. The results showed a shift from hydrophilic to more hydrophobic character with a decrease in the ability to rewet of peat-based substrates in relation to the intensity of drying, whereas wood fiber remained hydrophilic. Increasing wood fiber content in peat-based mixes improved the rehydration efficiency, but with a lower intensity of that measured with synthetic wetting agent addition. Our results highlighted the hydrophilic nature of wood fiber and demonstrated an additional benefit of wood fiber use in peat-based growing media.}, number={5}, journal={AGRONOMY-BASEL}, author={Durand, Stan and Jackson, Brian E. and Fonteno, William C. and Michel, Jean-Charles}, year={2021}, month={May} }