Same Particle Size with Different Nature and Proportion
When a single particle size was used (Cf:T of 1 mm) to make the mixtures,
variability in total porosity decreased (standard deviation less than 7.6). This low
variability happens when there is a dominance of simple packing voids, which allows
reproducing the data for research purposes (Table 2). Nevertheless, for practical purposes,
Gutiérrez-Castorena et al. (2011) found that the response of lettuce seedlings is limited
when there is only one type of pores (storage or percolation), and that the ratio of the
materials also influences plant development. According to Ansorena (1994), it is not
enough for the substrate to have a high total porosity, but rather that it is necessary that it
is conveniently made up of macropores, with air, and micropores storing water.