不同栽培基质对菌根化枳实生苗生长和矿质元素含量的影响

以蛭石、珍珠岩、椰糠、泥炭作为介质,与土壤按照体积比1:1混合作为栽培基质,比较Glomus mosseae接种的枳Poncirus trifoliata实生苗在这些基质栽培下生长、菌根侵染率和矿质营养状况。结果表明,土+蛭石作为栽培基质最有利于菌根的侵染(73.58%)和苗木的生长(地上部干重、地下部干重和整个植株干重),土+椰糠混合的表现最差。以土+蛭石基质下菌根化枳实生苗叶片具有显著最高的磷、钙、锌、铁含量。因此,土+蛭石混合是一种高效的柑桔苗木菌根化栽培基质。     

Vector analysis in the study of the nutritional status of Philodendron cultivated in compost-based media

Compost (CP) made from 70% ligno-cellulosic compounds and 30% sewage sludge was studied as a component of growing media in a 6-month Philodendron cultivation. CP's agronomic viability was evaluated via four plant-growth media containing 25–50–75–100% CP and white sphagnum peat (WP) in comparison to a commercial substrate with white and black peat. Plant nutrition conditions were investigated by determining macro- (TKN, P, K, Ca, Mg and micronutrients (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Na) and heavy metals (Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb) in roots and shoot tissues. Data were compared by vector analysis against control. Even if no leaf injuries were visible after 6-months’ growth, a CP ratio of up to 50% caused growth depression of canopy tissues, as attested by the 37 and 36% reduction in total leaf dry weight and leaf area, respectively. Root growth decline was also notable at 25% CP, where 38% root dry weight reduction implied a significant increase (46%) in shoot–root dry weight ratio. The investigation on nutrient tissue content showed high accumulation of Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn, Cd, Mn, Mg and P in roots; Mg appeared related to K deficiency. Above-ground nutritional status showed a severe lack of P, Mg and Mn. Vector analysis suggests the sewage sludge CP in Philodendron pot cultivation produces many such effects like direct toxic action and antagonistic action, resulting in a general nutrient imbalance in plants.     

Effect of soil salinity levels on growth and chemical composition of Syzygium cumini L.

Seedlings of Syzygium cumini were grown in artificially salinized soils of conductivities 0 to 20 mmhos cm^-1 for 19 months. Adverse effects on growth were seen at and above a conductivity level of 16 mmhos cm^-1 of the saturation extract. As the conductivity increased, the adverse effects of growth and the extent of plant injury were intensified As salinity increased, the leaf chlorophyll content at the end of the experiment decreased. The leaf N content did not differ significantly, but the root N content was significantly lower at higher salinity levels. With increased salinity the K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Fe in the leaves and roots lessened, but leaf Na rose in concentration with increasing salinity. The Mn and Cu contents of leaves and roots did not differ significantly.     

Nutrient uptake of pepino plants in soilless cultivation

Summary

This study addresses vegetative growth and the uptake of nutrients and their accumulation in the vegetative and reproductive tissues of pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.). The study was conducted in soilless plastic house conditions, with a planting density equivalent to 25.000 plants ha^–1 during two seasons (1997–98 and 1998–99). The plants were sampled, fractionated into leaves, stems, fruits and roots, then dried and weighed and the macronutrient content was analysed every 30.d for 300.d after transplanting. The yield obtained was 2.kg of fruit per plant, which is 30% of the total dry weight. The relative growth rate (RGR) ranged from 0.0028 to 0.0451.d^–1. The highest N, K, Ca and Mg concentrations were recorded in the leaves, and the highest P concentration in the roots. The nutrient accumulation of this yield was 10.64, 1.12, 16.06, 10.0 and 1.58.g of N, P, K, Ca and Mg per plant respectively. The highest accumulation of all nutrients was found in the leaves. The nutrient with the highest specificuptake rate was K, which ranged from 0.0037 to 0.0838.g g^–1 d^–1.     

Differential effect of transpiration and Ca supply on growth and Ca concentration of tomato plants

To determine the extent to which transpiration and Ca concentration in the nutrient solution affect the regulation of growth, two independent experiments with young tomato plants were carried out under fully controlled climate conditions and grown hydroponically. The first experiment consisted of the regulation of transpiration by three levels of relative air humidity (RH): 50%, 70% (control) and 95% (corresponding to 1.32, 0.79 and 0.13 kPa, respectively) during 7 days. The second experiment involved four periods of 1, 3, 7 or 14 days of low-calcium (0.5 meq L⁻¹) compared with the nutrient standard solution (9 meq L⁻¹). The results show that plant growth was affected more by RH than by the reduction of Ca in the nutrient solution. High humidity reduced the total plant dry matter and total leaf area, increasing the dry matter partitioning into the stems and reducing it into the leaves. However, the low-Ca supply did not affect those parameters. Plant Ca concentration was significantly reduced by low-Ca supply as well as by high RH, but to a much greater extent by the Ca supply than by high RH. Ca concentrations in leaves, stem, and roots were quickly reduced already after 1 day of low-Ca. After 14 days, Ca concentration in all plant organs (leaves, stems and roots) was reduced by approximately 70% compared to control plants. Our data show that calcium supply, and consequently Ca concentration in the tomato plant can be reduced drastically for short-term periods during the vegetative growth stage without any adverse effect on growth whilst higher humidity reduce both growth and Ca concentration in young vegetative tomato plants. Consequently, reduced Ca uptake at high air humidity is not the cause for the reduction in growth.     

Nitrogen-enriched ground kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) stem core as a component of soilless growth media

Summary

Four experiments showed that stem core (xylem of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) in combination with sphagnum peat moss and fertilizer nutrients was a satisfactory growth medium for plants of ‘Toy Boy’ tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Greater shoot growth was achieved in media containing 20 to 35% kenaf by volume than 50%, and with fine kenaf (2–4 mm diameter) than coarser grades. In the absence of weekly solution fertilization, N-enrichment of the kenaf was necessary to support greater shoot growth than occurred in commercial growth media. Soaking the kenaf in solutions of increasing nitrogen (N) concentration (0 to 15,000 mg N l^?1) increased shoot growth, but urea ammonium nitrate (UAN, 30N–0P–OK) generally resulted in greater shoot growth than 20N–4.4P–16.6K at the same N concentration. The soaking time for kenaf in UAN was considerably less than in the complete fertilizer to produce similar shoot dry weights. Only a small portion of the kenaf in the growth media required pre-plant N enrichment provided the N concentration of the soak solution was increased in ‘ proportion to the volume reduction. Increasing the N concentration of weekly solution fertilization (20N–4.4P–16.6K) from 0 to 500 mg N l^?1 increased shoot growth irrespective of the N concentration of the kenaf soak solution. In media receiving 0 or 100 mg N l^?1 weekly solution fertilization, shoot growth increased with increasing N concentration of the kenaf soak solution.     

不同无土基质对微型盆栽月季生长发育的影响

 研究了7 种无土复合基质对微型盆栽月季( Rosa hybrida‘Miniature Pink’) 生长与发育的影响,结果表明, 100%泥炭、70%泥炭+ 30%珍珠岩、70%珍珠岩+ 30%泥炭3 种基质比较理想, 对其生长及开花均表现为显著的促进作用; 微型盆栽月季无土基质的优化物理性状为: 容重0.12～0.19 g·cm^-3 , 比重1.6～1.9 g·cm^-3 , 含水量(风干基质) 6%～16% , 总孔隙度90 %～94 %。     

Nitrogen accumulation and nitrate reductase activity in MM. 106 apple trees as affected by nitrate supply

The effect of nitrate supply in the nutrient solution on N accumulation was investigated in various organs of MM.106 apple trees (Malus domestica Borkh.). Increasing nitrate supply increased the concentration and amount of total N in leaves and stems, but there was a saturation point of total N accumulation in response to the nitrate supply. The increased accumulation of total N in leaves and stems with increasing nitrate supply were due to increases in reduced N, since nitrate N remained relatively constant. Reduced N contents of trunk bark and trunk wood were significantly decreased when low nitrate was supplied, whereas that of roots was changed insignificantly. Most organs contained only a small portion of their total N as nitrate. The activities of nitrate reductase (NR) were measured using an in vivo assay either with or without nitrate for estimating reduced N accumulation. The in vivo —N03^- NR assay may be a better way to estimate the accumulation of reduced N than the in vivo +N03^- NR assay since the in vivo +N03^- nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was not related to the changes in the reduced N concentration with the differential nitrate supplies. Increasing nitrate supply significant increased in vivo —N03^- NRA of all organs. The rate of increase of the in vivo —N03^- leaf NRA was greater than those of stems and roots with increasing nitrate supply. Consequently, the proportion of leaf NRA to the total activity increased as the nitrate supply increased. The roots exhibited higher NRA than leaves and stems. The stem also contributed considerably to the total NRA. It can therefore be concluded that the reduction of nitrate can occur in various organs of MM. 106 apple trees as long as nitrate is available.     

An upper limit for elevated root zone dissolved oxygen concentration for tomato

It is well understood that insufficient oxygen within plant root zones can greatly diminish plant productivity. However, little is known about the effect of elevated root zone oxygen concentrations. Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum Mill., cv. Trust) seedlings were grown in nutrient solutions containing dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration ranging from 5.3 to 40 mg L⁻¹ for 4 weeks. There were no visible symptoms observed on the leaves or stems in any of the treatments. Leaf chlorophyll content was higher in the 40 mg L⁻¹ treatment than with 20 and 30 mg L⁻¹ DO treatments. Two weeks from the start of the experiment, roots in the 40 mg L⁻¹ treatment exhibited stunted growth, became thicker, and had fewer side and fine roots compared to roots in the lower levels of DO treatment. Almost all the measured growth parameters (fresh and dry weights of root, stem, and leaf, leaf area, stem diameter) were significantly reduced in plants grown in the 40 mg L⁻¹ treatment compared to plants in the lower level of DO treatments, except that the plant height increased with the increasing DO concentration. Root respiration increased linearly with increasing DO concentration; however, there was no effect on leaf net CO₂ exchange rate. It is suggested that it was safe to enrich root zone DO to as high as 30 mg L⁻¹, although the growth benefit was minor by increasing DO from ambient air saturated level (∼8.5 mg L⁻¹) to 30 mg L⁻¹. Higher than 30 mg L⁻¹ could cause reduction in tomato plant growth.     

Nitrogen uptake,partitioning and remobilization in ‘Kotata’ blackberry in alternate-year production

Summary

Mature ‘Kotata’ trailing blackberry plants growing in the alternate-year (AY) system in the field, were treated with ammonium sulfate depleted in ¹⁵N in early April, 1997. Based on the whole plant, excluding roots, accumulation of new dry matter over the two year AY production cycle averaged 5.96 kg plant^-1. On average, 28, 64 and 8% of this new dry-matter accumulation could be attributed to harvested fruit; loss from the crop as prunings and leaf senescence; and increased dry matter in the crowns for the next growth cycle, respectively. On average, 46% of new dry matter accumulation occurred in the off-year (non-producing). Whole plant (excluding roots) accumulation of new N (labelled and non-labelled) over the two-year AY production cycle averaged 63.7 g N plant” . Over a two-year production cycle, 44% of new N accumulation occurred in the off-year. Of the newly accumulated N, 37% was in harvested fruit, 58% was lost from the crop as prunings, and 5% was accumulated in crowns for the next growth cycle. For both the on-year and the off-year plants fertilized with labelled N, near maximum nitrogen derived from fertilizer (NDFF) accumulation occurred by August. At this time, 45% of the applied fertilizer could be accounted for in the non-root portion of on-year plants. A portion of this maximum on-year accumulation was either lost from the system or translocated to the roots. At the time of maximum accumulation, 39, 37,19, 3 and 2% of the accumulated NDFF was contained in the fruit, laterals, primocanes plus primocane leaves, floricanes, and crowns, respectively. Labelled N applied in the off-year was used primarily for primocane and primocane leaf growth. A large portion of the nitrogen stored in the off-year was used for early growth of floricanes, fruiting laterals and fruit in the following on-year. Excluding roots, by the end of the 1997 season, almost 30% of the applied fertilizer was accounted for in the non-root portion of off-year plants. There was also evidence of remobilization of N among plant tissues at different times during the production cycle. Results of this study suggest fertilizer N is an important N source for fruiting lateral and fruit growth in the on-year and for new primocane and primocane leaf growth in the off-year. N accumulated in the off-year is also an important source for early growth of floricanes, fruiting laterals and fruit the following year.     

Growth,allocation of N and carbohydrates,and stomatal conductance of greenhouse grown apple treated with prohexadione-Ca and gibberellins

Summary

Potted M.26 apple (Mahis domestica) liners were treated with the gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor prohexadione-Ca (Apogee®) at 0 to 500 mg l”¹ as a foliar spray. Apogee inhibited stem elongation, leaf formation, total leaf area and shoot dry weight, while significantly increasing specific leaf weight, root dry weight and root: shoot ratio, regardless of rate. Foliar application of gibberellin A4₊₇ (GA4₊₇) at 200 mg l”¹ to Apogee-treated plants one day later reversed these effects, especially stem elongation, root dry-matter production and root: shoot ratio. Apogee increased N concentration in stems but not in leaves and roots. There was no effect on the pattern of N allocation amongst organs. GA4+7 increased leaf N concentration but decreased stem and root N concentrations compared with untreated controls, with N allocation shifting from roots to stem. Total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC), expressed either on a concentration or content basis, increased in all parts of the Apogee-treated plants, due to increased levels of starch rather than soluble sugars, without altering allocation pattern. Conversely, GA4₊₇ reduced TNC levels (mainly starch levels) in all parts, with the pattern of allocation slightly shifted from roots to stem. The afternoon decline in stomatal conductance occurred earlier in the Apogee treated plants, measured 10 d after stem elongation had ceased. Starch buildup in the Apogee-treated plants appeared to be associated with this effect, suggesting an involvement of a feedback inhibition of photosynthesis in the Apogee-induced stomatal control.     

Root shoot interactions in passionfruit (Passiflora sp.) under the influence of changing root volumes and soil temperatures

Summary

Passionfruit are grown in the tropics and subtropics where mean monthly soil temperatures at 15 cm range from about 10° to 30°C. The choice of rootstock can also influence production with most industries exploiting either the purple (Passiflora edulis f. edulis) or golden passionfruit (P. edulis tflavicarpa). We examined the relationship between shoot and root growth in purple x golden hybrid E-23 grafted onto golden passionfruit seedlings. Growth was manipulated by varying the volume of the soil available to the roots or temperature of the root zone. Shoot and root growth increased as root zone volume increased from 0.3, 1.4, 4, 12 to 24 1. Shoot weight (W_s) was correlated with root weight (W_R):W_S = 12.697 + 5.272 W_R + 0.195 W_R² (r² = 91%, P<0.001), with the plants allocating a smaller proportion of dry matter to the roots as root weight increased. Differences in shoot growth with pot volume were not due to changes in water or nutrient status. In the temperature experiment, the two critical root zone temperatures at 90% of maximum growth were about 20° and 35° C for vine extension, leaf area, node and leaf production, and 20° and 30°C for flower production. Leaf and stem dry weight were optimal between about 18° and 34°C, while maximum root growth occurred at 38°C. There was a weak relationship between shoot (W_s) and root dry weight (W_R): W_s = ?19.346 + 24.500 W_R ?1.046 W_R² (r² = 53%, .P<0.001). Apparently, variations in shoot growth at different soil temperatures cannot be explained solely by differences in root growth. Reduced growth at 10°C was associated with lower chlorophyll concentration, stomatal conductance and net CO₂ assimilation, but not lower leaf water potential. The concentration of most nutrients were lower at 10°C than at higher temperatures, but none was outside the range which would be expected to restrict growth. There appears to be a co-ordination of shoot and root growth as the soil volume available for root growth increases, whereas root temperature affects the roots and tops differently. The results of the pot volume experiment demonstrate the importance of rootstock vigour in passionfruit breeding. Productivity would be affected in cool subtropical areas with soil <20°C and in tropical areas with soil >30°C.     

Growth,biomass allocation and leaf ion concentration of seven olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars under increased salinity

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is the major fruit tree in the Mediterranean region, often grown in locations where plants are exposed to increased salinity. To determine the effect of NaCl on shoot and root growth, dry matter allocation, leaf Na⁺ and K⁺ concentration, electrolyte (EL) and K⁺ leakage (KL), seven olive cultivars of different origins were grown in nutrient solution containing 0, 33, 66, 100 or 166 mM NaCl for three months. The general effect of salinity was linear and quadratic decrease of observed plant growth parameters. Different responses of tested cultivars to applied levels of salinity were found for stem dry weight, shoot length and number of leaves. As salinity increased, growth of ‘Manzanillo’ declined sharply, whereas ‘Frantoio’ was the most tolerant to growth reduction in most of the observed growth parameters. Allometric analysis showed that biomass allocation under salinity stress was similar in all cultivars, but the slope between shoot weight and total plant weight decreased as salinity increased. Since the higher allocation in roots was not found, it seems that salinity only slowed the above ground plant canopy growth. Sodium concentration in leaves of all cultivars increased as salinity increased with the highest increment reached when the salinity of nutrient solution was raised from 100 to 166 mM NaCl. Significant differences among genotypes were found in leaf Na⁺ and K⁺ concentration and K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, but they were not related to the growth rate. Generally, ‘Frantoio’ and ‘Oblica’ accumulated less Na⁺ and were able to maintain higher K⁺:Na⁺ ratios as compared to other genotypes. Electrolyte leakage and KL linearly increased with increasing salinity and the magnitude of the response depended upon the olive cultivar.     

The effect of node origin on the development of cuttings of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze)

The growth of roots and shoots of cuttings taken from nodes 3 to 9 on the parent stem, counting from the apex, have been compared. Comparisons also included dry weight of parts of the cuttings and leaf areas.

The number of cuttings with roots was unaffected by node origin; the weight of roots was similarly unaffected with the exception of one doubtful case.

Shoot growth, on the contrary, was found to be much more advanced in cuttings from older nodes, presumably because the buds were more highly developed. The cutting buds produced the flush-type growth and leaf forms typical of a mature tea bush.

The effect of node position on dry weights of cuttings was irregular. The greater loss of original leaves among cuttings from older nodes appeared to counteract the expected greater dry weight of these cuttings.     

Assessment of tolerance to NaCl salinity of five olive cultivars,based on growth characteristics and Na and Cl exclusion mechanisms

Changes caused by NaCl-induced salinity on several growth parameters and ions accumulation have been measured in five olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars (‘Chemlali’, ‘Chetoui’, ‘Koroneiki’, ‘Arbequina I18’, and ‘Arbosana I43’) growing in a greenhouse in nutrient solution pot experiment. One-year-old plants were transplanted to sand–perlite (1:1) culture, and were irrigated with half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution containing NaCl at various levels (0.5, 50, 100 and 200 mM). Salinity induced significant decrease in growth parameters, but to a different extent in each cultivar. Leaf growth and total leaf area per plant were significantly affected by all salinity treatments in all studied cultivars, being ‘Arbequina I18’ the most sensitive cultivar. Leaf drop phenomenon was observed from 60 days after salt application at high salinity treatments, mainly in Arbequina I18. Contrary to leaf area, leaf thickness increased progressively during the experiment. ‘Chemlali’ developed thicker leaves at the two highest salinity treatments when compared to the other cultivars. Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations were higher in roots than in shoots and leaves in most of the cultivars investigated. The effectiveness of Na⁺ exclusion mechanism in the roots differed significantly among studied cultivars, working effectively in ‘Chemlali’ (by inhibiting translocation of Na⁺ to the aerial part) and being much less efficient in ‘Arbequina I18’. Furthermore, leaf abscission can be considered as an additional tolerance mechanism of olive cultivars allowing the elimination of leaves that had accumulated Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. Tolerance to salinity stress was as follows: ‘Chemlali’ > ‘Chetoui’ > ‘Arbosana I43’ > ‘Koroneiki’ > ‘Arbequina I18’. This order of salt tolerance was indicated by lower reduction in plant growth parameters (shoot elongation, trunk diameter, total plant dry weight, internodes length, and total leaf area), the increase of leaf thickness, and by the effectiveness of the exclusion mechanism of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in the root system.     

Influence of temperature on selenium and sulphur accumulation in Brassica oleracea L.

Summary

Selenium (Se) and sulphur (S) accumulation are affected by many factors in plants. To understand how growing temperature affected Se and S uptake and accumulation in Brassica oleracea, plants were grown at three different temperatures: 10°, 20° and 30°C. Plant growth, as reflected in fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW), increased with increasing temperature. Se and S accumulation were temperature-dependent and tissue-specific. Se levels increased linearly with increasing temperature in the leaves, and varied from 1.73 – 2.54 mg Se g^–1 DW. Conversely, Se accumulation decreased linearly with increasing temperature in the roots, and varied from 2.17 – 2.87 mg Se g^–1 DW. Growing temperature significantly affected S accumulation in leaves, but not in shoots or in roots. Sulphur levels ranged from 20.83 – 30.98 mg g^–1 DW in leaves, and increased with higher temperatures. Sulphate accumulation was similar to S, except that accumulation decreased at the highest growing temperature. Vegetables that accumulate S can be an efficient means and an effective alternative to deliver Se in human diets. To ensure that optimal levels of Se are attained in plants, without negative effects on plant productivity, factors that affect uptake and accumulation, such as growing temperature, need to be better understood.     

Changes in sugar and starch concentrations in parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.) during root growth and development and in cold storage

Summary

Low-temperature sweetening of parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.) roots, which may occur both pre-harvest and post-harvest, is a well-known phenomenon, but is poorly understood. ‘White King’ parsnip roots were analysed over two seasons (2008 and 2009) during field growth and over six months cold storage at 1ºC for their dry matter content, as well as their starch, sucrose, glucose, fructose, and malto-oligosaccharide (MOS) concentrations and for their changes in amylolytic enzyme activities (2009 only). In 2008, when the air temperature fell below 5ºC for 12 d in the last 8 weeks before harvest, the concentration of starch decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) and the concentration of total sugar increased significantly. In 2009, when temperatures did not fall below 5°C during the last 8 weeks before harvest, the concentrations of starch (339 + 17 mg g^–1 DW) and total sugars (168 + 12 mg g^–1 DW) did not change significantly. However, in both years, during 24 weeks in cold storage at 1ºC, starch levels were almost completely depleted, whereas sucrose concentrations and, to a lesser extent, MOS concentrations increased at least two-fold. Glucose and fructose concentrations also increased significantly during 24 weeks in cold storage, but to a much lower level than sucrose or MOS. Total amylolytic activity and α-amylase activity doubled during the first 8 weeks in cold storage, whereas β-amylase activity did not change significantly. As products of α-amylase activity, changes in MOS concentration paralleled the changes in α-amylase activity. The accumulation of sucrose and MOS may raise the culinary quality of cold-stored parsnip.     

Effects of conifer wood biochar as a substrate component on ornamental performance,photosynthetic activity,and mineral composition of potted Rosa rugosa

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to assess the performance of biochar obtained from pyrolysis of conifer wood as a substrate component for growing potted Rosa rugosa plants. Rose plants were grown with different mixtures of sphagnum peat and biochar (100% peat, 75% peat–25% biochar, 50% peat–50% biochar, 25% peat–75% biochar; v:v). Increasing the biochar content from 25% to 75% increased the air content, bulk density, electrical conductivity, and K and Na concentration in the substrates. The addition of 25% biochar to the substrate showed promising potential for R. rugosa when compared with 100% peat given the similar growth performance, water-use efficiency, and ornamental quality (number of flowers and leaf colour). The Ca and Na concentrations in leaves and roots as well as the Mg content in roots increased as the biochar percentage in the substrate increased, whereas an opposite trend was observed for P and K concentrations. The best performance and ornamental quality of R. rugosa grown with 100% peat and 75% peat–25% biochar compared with 50 and 75% biochar treatments were attributed to a higher degree of photosynthesis, Soil Plant Analysis Development index, and pigment content. Overall, adding 25% of conifer wood biochar as a substrate component could be applied for economic purposes without detrimental effects on the yield and quality of potted roses.     

Use of organic agricultural wastes as growing media for the production of Anthurium andraeanum ‘Pink Lady’

Summary

The conventional organic growing medium used for anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) production is peat. Quality peat, however, is costly and is a non-renewable natural resource. The current study compared the suitability of using charred and composted organic agricultural wastes (OAW) vs. sphagnum peat as components of various growth media for the ornamental plant, anthurium (A. andraeanum ‘Pink Lady’). Ten different media were prepared from composted corn cobs (C), charred corn cobs (CC), charred garden waste (CG), and Pindstrup? sphagnum peat moss (P) in various proportions. The media contained [on a % (v/v) basis]: C (100%), CC (100%), CG (100%), C (70%) + CG (30%), CC (70%) + CG (30%), C (35%) + CG (15%) + P (50%), CC (50%) + P (50%), CC (35%) + CG (15%) + P (50%), C (50%) + P (50%), or P (100%) as a control. After 15 months in a greenhouse, the growth and flowering of transplanted anthurium plants were optimal using P, CC+P, or CC+CG+P.These results indicate that mixing charred OAW with peat could provide a suitable medium for anthurium production, thereby reducing the need for peat and converting agricultural waste material into useful products.