I've been reading a lot about rice hulls as a cheap alternative to perlite in potting mixes.  It's sold in feed stores as animal bedding and comes parboiled.   It's supposed to breakdown very slowly in pots and provides good drainage and aeriation. It sounds like it's good at least for starting cuttings.  This is all new to me and the perlite, and mixes are costing too much.
Soni

I dont see a problem as long as it does what it's suppose to do. I seen people use crushed styrofoam in the plcae of perlite.

The only question would be if they are susceptible to molding, particularly if uses with cuttings or newly rooted plants.

That's a good point.  The ones called PBH are supposedly sterilized (par boiled hulls)  IDK if that kills mold.
  I havnt been able to find a source of them any way.  If I do I'll give it a try.

As you water them they will mold.  Sterilized rice hulls are a great medium used commercially to grow fungi on.

Thanks rcantor 
That's about as bad as it gets!  I dont need fungi.
Soni

Soni,
Yes. These may be useful.
http://www.gpnmag.com/sites/default/files/potentialforricehulls.pdf
http://www.gpnmag.com/finding-alternative-perlite
I can point you towards more technical articles if that might help you.

Bob,
I have PBH in several mixes and have not experienced any mold problem. It could be the difference in climate between Northern California & Kansas City although my bias is to think not. Are sterilized and parboiled the same? Who manufactures your stuff?

 @  DWD2,  Thanks for the info.  That 2nd article sounds like the increase in air pores would be on the good side for preventing mold. 
If i can find a source of PBH, ricehulls I'd like to test it out.