DIN EN 16086-1:2012-01

This European Standard describes a method for the routine determination of the effect of soil improvers and growing media or constituents thereof on the growth of Chinese cabbage (and in certain cases spring barley). This test may not be suitable for all growing media since the growing media characteristics (for example, nutrient content) will vary according to target use and the product is not tested in accordance with the specified use and pack recommendations. This test is not appropriate for the detection of nitrogen immobilization. Depending on the material to be tested, one method described in this standard shall be used: 1. Pot experiment with direct use of the prepared sample: A defined quantity of Chinese cabbage shall be sown into pots containing the prepared sample and cultivated under controlled conditions for a defined period of time. Then the plant response shall be evaluated by determining the germination rate, fresh weight, abnormalities and overall plant growth. If the presence of graminacious herbicides is suspected, spring barley shall be used in addition to Chinese cabbage. For testing of other specific effects, the use of additional plant species (for example, lettuce) can be considered. 2. Pot experiment using an extract of the original sample: Mix the original sample with nutrient solution as an extractant, soak for 4 h at ambient temperature and collect the freely available nutrient solution. Fill the pots with perlite saturated with the extract and continue, irrigate during the test period with a fixed quantity of the extract and afterwards with water. If the presence of graminacious herbicides is suspected, spring barley shall be used in addition to Chinese cabbage. For testing of other specific effects, the use of additional plant species (for example, lettuce) can be considered. The Committee responsible for this standard is NA 057-03-01 AA "Bodenverbesserungsmittel und Kultursubstrate" ("Soil improvers and growing media") at DIN.