Comparison of Herbaceous Perennial Plant Growth in Seaweed Compost and Biosolids Compost

Liners of angelonia ‘Pink’ (Angelonia angustifolia Benth.), shooting star (Pseuderanthemum laxiflorum), coreopsis ‘Early Sunrise’ (Coreopsis grandiflorum Hogg ex Sweet.), and scutellaria ‘Purple Fountains’ (Scutellaria costaricana H. Wendl.) were transplanted into containers filled with, by volume, 1) 100% compost; 2) 60% compost, 25% vermiculite, 15% perlite; 3) 30% compost, 30% sphagnum peat, 25% vermiculite, 15% perlite; 4) 0% compost, 60% sphagnum peat, 25% vermiculite, 15% perlite. Two compost products were evaluated: SW, a 1:1 by volume mixture of partially composted seaweed and partially composted yard trimmings and SYT, a 1:1 by weight mixture of biosolids compost and yard trimmings compost. There was no difference in angelonia shoot dry mass among the different percentages of SW compost but angelonia plants grown in 0 and 30% SYT had greater shoot dry mass than plants grown in 60 or 100% SYT. Shoot dry mass of shooting star plants increased as the percentage of SYT compost increased from 0 to 30 % and then decreased while shoot dry mass of plants grown in SW compost decreased as the percentage of compost increased. There was no difference in coreopsis shoot dry mass or scutellaria shoot dry mass between the two compost products and there also was no difference in shoot dry mass among the different percentages of either compost product.     

Tomato waste compost as an alternative substrate to peat moss for the production of vegetable seedlings

Different proportions of tomato waste compost (TWC) were combined with peat moss and vermiculite as growth substrates used to evaluate the quality of seedlings of economic vegetables, including tomato, hot pepper, cucumber and summer squash. The seeding substrates used were: (T0), vermiculite: peat moss: TWC (4: 1: 0, by weight), 0% TWC; (T1), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0.75: 0.25), 5% TWC; (T2), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0.5: 0.5), 10% TWC; (T3), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0.25: 0.75), 15% TWC; and (T4), vermiculite: peat: TWC (4: 0: 1), 20% TWC. The best seedling response was recorded in substrate mixtures supplemented with 5% and 10% TWC, which hastened seed germination and improved seedling morphology. Since vegetable seedlings produced with TWC-amended substrate were of higher quality, compared to those produced exclusively on peat substrate, we suggest that TWC may be used to replace partially peat-based substrate used for vegetable transplants production in nurseries.     

菇渣基质特性及其对黄瓜和番茄幼苗生长的影响

The aim of this research was to evaluate weathered spent mushroom substrate (SMS),made from spent Flammulina velutipes mushroom substrate,as a growing medium for nursery seedlings.Two vegetable species,cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.cv.Jinchun No.2) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.cv.Mandy),were grown in 8 media of SMS in various ratios with perlite or vermiculite.A mixed substrate of peat with perlite (1:1;v:v) was used as the control (CK).The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design under greenhouse conditions.Prior to sowing,some physical and chemical properties of the growing media were determined.Results showed that all the mixtures had desirable physical and chemical properties for their use in nursery tomato and cucumber seedlings except for the T4 (SMS:vermiculite=1:1;v:v) and the T8 (SMS:perlite=2:1;v:v) mixtures.Compared with the CK,increased plant height,leaf area,fresh weight,dry weight and index of seedling quality were found in the T3 (SMS:vermiculite=2:1;v:v) and T6 (SMS:perlite=4:1;v:v) growing media.SMS should be considered as an alternative for the widely used but expensive and resource-limited peat in greenhouse cultivation.     

Composts as Media Constituents for Vegetable Transplant Production

The use of compost with high salt concentration was evaluated, under commercial conditions, as a potential growing media constituent for vegetable transplant production. Two composts were prepared from sweet sorghum bagasse, pine bark, and either urea (compost A) or brewery sludge (compost B) as N source. Three vegetable species — broccoli (Brassica oleracea), tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum), and onion (Allium cepa) with different tolerance to salinity were used. Eleven substrates were formulated and tested: a control consisting of a moss peat-based commercial substrate; compost A; compost B; and, eight mixtures containing 33 or 67% by volume of each compost with either raw peat moss or commercial substrate as diluent. All the substrates prepared had suitable physical, physicochemical and chemical properties for use as growing media, except for the electrical conductivity (ranging from 3.20 to 13.21 dS m^?1) which was above the reference levels for soilless cultivation. Broccoli was the least affected by substrate salinity whilst tomato was the most. Onion transplants had an intermediate response to saline conditions. Tomato seed germination was markedly reduced when compost A, with a higher salt concentration, was used at a rate higher than 67%. Media prepared with either of the composts, and mixed with either a commercial substrate or peat in a rate up to 67%, did not cause any detrimental effect on the growth and nutritional status of broccoli, tomato and onion transplants, despite the high initial salinity of the substrates. These composts appear to be acceptable substitutes for Sphagnum peat in seed sowing mixtures.     

番茄工厂化育苗木糖渣基质与肥料配比研究

研究了以木糖渣为主料配合粉煤灰、煤渣与尿素、磷酸二氢钾、烘干鸡粪配成的不同基质对番茄幼苗生长的影响。结果表明：以６０％的木糖渣、３０％的煤灰、１０％的煤渣,每７２孔穴盘加尿素５ｇ,磷酸二氢钾５ｇ,鸡粪２０ｇ的配方做基质可代替蛭石、草炭用于蔬菜工厂化育苗降低蔬菜工厂化育苗成本。     

Growth Responses of Organic Tomato Seedlings to N Liquid Fertilizers and Compost-Amended Growing Media

This work evaluated the response of organic tomato seedlings to locally produced compost-amended growing media and commonly used N liquid fertilizers. Green (GC) and mixed (MC) composts were used in growing media formulation with 70, 45, 20, and 0% (control based on peat) on volume basis for organic tomato seedling growth. Three locally available N liquid fertilizers, hydrolyzed-protein-based fertilizer (HP), blood-meal-based fertilizer (BM), and algae-extract-based fertilizer (AE), were tested. Seedlings were evaluated 34 days after sowing for plant height; stem diameter; shoot weights; sturdiness index; specific leaf area; and N, P, and K contents in the seedlings shoot. The statistical analysis showed that the substrate type, fertilizer, and their interaction significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected, in most cases, the seedlings growth. The compost, especially with 20 or 45% amended substrate, produced longer seedlings with thicker diameter, greater fresh and dry weights, and greater leaves number compared to the control (compost-free) substrate. The use of the HP or the AE fertilizer generally contributed to better seedlings growth than did the BM-based fertilizer. The HP fertilizer clearly affected (p ≤ 0.01) the seedling diameter, fresh weight, and leave numbers while the AE fertilizer affected clearly seedling sturdiness index. The use of the GC or MC compost complemented with the HP or the AE fertilizer successfully reduced up to 45% of peat use in growing media and produced robust organic tomato seedlings.     

Tomato seedling development is improved by a substrate inoculated with a combination of rhizobacteria and fungi

Chile's seedling production industry has been growing for the last 10 years, and demand has actually reached 1250 million seedlings per year. This system has special relevance due to the high cost of seeds. In addition, there is an increasing demand for substituting synthetic agrochemicals. Therefore, the potential use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in tomato production has been investigated. Before sowing, the micro-organisms provided by Biogram S.A. were inoculated into the substrate diluted in 250 mL/L unchlorinated water. The experiment was laid out in a ‘split-plot’ design with the two plant substrates as main plots and the inoculants as subplots, including six replicates per treatment. Tomato seedlings were grown using two different plant substrates: a mixture of 70% peat and 30% perlite by volume, and a substrate with 20% peat, 20% perlite and 60% compost by volume, both inoculated with Bacillus subtilis or Pseudomonas fluorescens or Bioroot®, which is a commercial product containing B. subtilis, P. fluorescens, Trichoderma harzianum, yeast, algae and Nocardia. For control, uninoculated tomato seedlings were grown on the respective plant substrates. Variance analysis did not identify significant interactions between substrate type (main plots) and inoculation treatment (subplots), P ≤ 0.05. There were significant differences between inoculants (P ≤ 0.05). Means were compared by using the Tukey's multiple range test. Tomato growth in terms of leaf area (cm²/plant) and shoot and root dry weight (g/10 plants) was improved for the seedlings grown on the substrate with 70% peat and 30% perlite, compared to the compost containing an alternative that is valid for both uninoculated perlite peat and all inoculated treatments where perlite peat was outstanding. Inoculation with Bioroot® improved the leaf area, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, radical contact area, volume of roots and root forks compared with the control without inoculation, when both plant substrates were analysed together. Thus, inoculation with Bioroot® can be recommended as an alternative to tomato seedling growers' dependence on synthetic agrochemicals.     

Evaluation of New Container Media for Aglaonema Production

Mandated processing of waste by‐products in the United States has inspired national interest in addressing the effectiveness of using composted biosolids and yard trimmings to grow containerized plants. Diamond bay Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema ‘Diamond Bay’) was transplanted in containers filled with one of eight formulated media (components added by volume). Medium 1 was a standard mix commonly used in Aglaonema production (5:2:3 peat–vermiculite–perlite); medium 2 was formulated on site to contain peat–bark–stalite–rice hulls–coir (2:2:3:1:2); media 3 and 4 contained 40% biosolid–yard waste compost instead of peat and with or without 20% stalite, respectively; and media 5, 6, 7, and 8 were commercially formulated to contain peat–bark–perlite–rice hulls–coir (4:1.5:2.5:1:1, 4:1.5:2.5:1:1, 4:2:2:1:1, and 3.0:2.5:2:1:1.5, respectively). Physical and chemical properties of the eight media were in ranges 50–65% container water‐holding capacity, 2.9–7.8% air‐filled porosity, 55–80% moisture (w/w), 0.11–0.37 g·cm³ bulk density, 0.34–0.96 g·cm³ particle density, 4.2–7.2 pH, 0.12–4.4 dS·m^?1 electrical conductivity (EC), 27.3–54.5 meg/100 g cation exchange capacity (CEC), 17.9–39.0% carbon (C), and 0.22–1.7% nitrogen (N). Medium 4 (40% compost) had 5.5 times more ammoniacal N (NH₄‐N) and 1.7 times more nitrate N (NO₃‐N) than that of the standard commercial mix. At week 8, plants grown in media 2 and 5 were 8.9% to 9.5% taller than plants grown in medium 1 (commercial standard). At week 16, there were no significant differences in plant heights or growth indices among media. At week 24, there were no significant differences in plant height, growth index, visual quality, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight among media. However, cumulative phosphorus (P) leaching from media 1, 4, and 5 was significantly more than leaching from media 2 and 8. This study suggests that compost may serve as a horticulturally suitable and cost‐effective alternative to peat‐based media for Aglaonema production.     

PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF COMPOSTED PISTACHIO HULL AND RICE HUSK AS POTTING MEDIUM ON SCINDAPSUS AUREUS VEGETATIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN GREENHOUSE CONDITION

Pistachio hull is a horticultural waste product obtained during dehulling process of pistachio nuts. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of pistachio hull and rice husk compost, as culture medium, on vegetative and physiological characteristics of pothos (Scindapsus aureus) plants. Rooted cuttings were used as plant materials and cultured in pots (40 × 30cm) filled with the following media: S₁ = 100% peat (control), S₂ = 100% rice husk, S₃ = 70% rice husk + 30% pistachio hull, S₄ = 50% rice husk + 50% pistachio hull, S₅ = 30% rice husk + 70% pistachio hull and S₆ = 100% pistachio hull. The vegetative parameters were affected by media type, so that no plants survived in 100% pistachio hull. The application of 50% pistachio hull and 50% rice husk (S₄), increased shoot fresh weight, and potassium (K) concentration of shoot and root compared to control. Fresh and dry root weight and phosphorus (P) concentration of shoot was increased with S₂ treatment (100% rice husk).     

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Compost as a Tomato Transplant Medium

For 3 years, different types of growing media were evaluated in nursery-produced tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. cv “Atletico”). Five mixtures of substrates were used: old peat (65%) + white peat (30%) + perlite (5%), old peat (65%) + MSW compost (30%) + perlite (5%), MSW compost (65%) + white peat (30%) + perlite (5%), MSW compost (95%) + perlite (5%) and MSW compost (50%) + cocofiber (50%). Various seedling indices were measured in order to assess the quality of the nursery-produced plant. The quality of the MSW compost used (pH, salinity, organic matter) bore a strong influence on results. Electrical conductivity (EC) values of the MSW compost of over 9 dSm^?1 produced poorer quality tomato seedlings in the mixture of substrates with peat. The use of MSW compost as the only substrate and the mixture of MSW compost with cocofiber had a lower growth index and poorer performance than the standard peat mixture. However, growth and development of the tomato seedlings in the mixture: old peat (65%) + MSW compost (30%) + perlite (5%) were similar to that obtained with the standard mixture: old peat (65%) + white peat (30%) + perlite (5%).     

三种堆肥对番茄生长及青枯病防治效果的影响

合理施用堆肥能够有效地改善植物的生长条件和土壤的生态环境,从而提高植物对病害的抗性。通过盆栽试验,研究了药渣、 污泥和猪粪三种堆肥以不同比例与泥炭混合对番茄植株生长和番茄青枯病防治的影响。结果表明: 三种不同堆肥均能促进番茄植株生长,其中猪粪堆肥对番茄生长的促进效果最显著,当泥炭与猪粪的混合比例为3∶1时效果最好,当收获番茄植株时,其鲜重和干重较泥炭基础基质处理分别提高了29.8%和41.2%,污泥堆肥次之,药渣堆肥最差; 三种不同堆肥都能抑制青枯病的发生,药渣堆肥对番茄青枯病的抑制效果最明显,当泥炭与药渣的混合比例为4∶1时效果最好,在番茄植株移栽33d 时,其病情指数较泥炭基础基质降低了66.7%,污泥堆肥次之,猪粪堆肥最差。添加不同堆肥使得盆栽基质的理化性质、 酶活性和可培养微生物的数量发生了不同的变化,推测可能是上述因素的变化使其对番茄的生长和青枯病的防治效果产生了明显的差异。     

Utilization of Agricultural Waste Compost as an Alternative Potting Media Component with Coir Dust for Leafy Vegetable Ipomoea Acquatica

The aim of this research was to study the potential utilization of an alternative potting media developed from agricultural waste compost in combination with coir dust on the growth and development of leafy vegetable Ipomoea aquatica (L). Agricultural waste compost was prepared from poultry litter, sawdust, rice straw, gliricidia, and cow dung. Seven different potting media were prepared by mixing compost at the rates of 0%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% with coir dust at the rate of 100%, 90%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 0%, respectively. Developed potting media showed adequate physical and chemical properties for Ipomea aquatica cultivation. Crop yield showed significant differences among all treatments and treatment with 100% compost gave the best growth and yield parameters. The highest plant height, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight obtained from the 100% compost were increased by 2.70, 18.07, and 18.02 times in comparison to the 100% coir with chemical fertilizer control.     

不同基质接种丛枝菌根真菌对番茄生长及PAL、PPO酶活的影响

以番茄为试材，研究常用的几种基质：大田土，有机土，蛭石和草碳混合物接种丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)中的Glomus mosseae(G.m)对番茄生长及PAL、PP0酶活性的影响。结果表明：接种G.m对番茄株高和茎粗均有显著的促生效应，G.m在蛭石+草碳处理中对番茄的促生效果最好，总干物重比对照增加131%, 不同基质极显著地影响了G.m侵染和扩展，有机土中G.m的侵染率最高。接种35 d，50 d，65 d PAL,PPO酶活均呈现由高到低的趋势，但不同基质间PAL,PPO酶活随侵染率的不同呈现显著差异。     

Composted Sewage Sludge as an Alternative Potting Media for Lettuce Cultivation

A study was conducted to evaluate the potential possibility of using composted sewage sludge (CSS) as an alternative potting media component to substitute for expensive peat (PE) in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivation. Five different substrates were developed by changing the CSS and PE percentages in the growth medium. Percentages of CSS addition to PE were 0%, 15%, 30%, 50%, and 70% v/v, respectively. Growing media developed from CSS by substituting PE had plentiful physical and chemical properties and prominent contents of plant nutrients, mainly phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). The greatest growth and yield increments were achieved from the medium with 30% CSS and 70% PE of the total volume, respectively. The shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, and root dry weight obtained from the medium with 30% CSS and 70% PE were increased by 56.53%, 43.93%, 29.46%, and 67.24%, respectively, compared to PE control.     

氮钾肥配施对番茄幼苗生长及前期产量构成的影响

以尿素和硫酸钾为主要氮、钾肥料,以草炭和蛭石为育苗基质进行番茄育苗试验,研究分析了育苗基质中不同氮、钾肥料配施方案对番茄幼苗生长及其前期产量构成的影响,结果表明:番茄育苗过程中氮、钾肥料不同配比对番茄幼苗生长及前期产量存在显著影响,偏施氮肥或钾肥均可降低番茄出苗率、抑制番茄幼苗生长与干物质积累,氮、钾肥料合理配施可明显提高番茄幼苗素质,增加番茄前期开花数与座果数从而增加番茄前期产量,番茄基质育苗过程中氮、钾(N∶K2O)肥料最佳配比为1∶1.2。     

Effect of Compost Properties on Progress Rate of Verticillium dahliae Attack on Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Several composts were tested for their capacity to moderate the effect of Verticillium dahliae Kleb. (VCG B4, VD) on eggplant (Solanum melongena) under greenhouse conditions. Eggplants plantlets were inoculated by immersing their roots in conidial suspension and then planted in pots filled with mixtures of compost or peat moss, mixed with perlite. Six composts and peat moss mixtures were tested, of which tomato waste compost suppressed V. dahliae, and turkey litter compost partially suppressed it. Reduced levels of symptoms and lower fungal colonization were detected in the xylem of eggplants planted in tomato waste compost, and these plants accumulated more dry matter and had higher chlorophyll content compared to other media. However, survival of conidia in tomato waste compost showed only a moderate decrease compared with a sharp decrease in other media, suggesting that conidial eradication cannot be proposed as the suppressiveness mechanism. γ irradiation of tomato waste compost and peat at 2.5 Mrad reduced microorganism density by four orders of magnitude, but irradiation of tomato waste compost did not reduce its suppressiveness of V. dahliae. Composts properties affected progress rate of VD in the xylem tissue of eggplant seedling. These properties could indicate both biotic and abiotic factors affecting the process.     

SYNTHETIC SOIL AGGREGATES AS A POTTING MEDIUM FOR ORNAMENTAL PLANT PRODUCTION

Synthetic aggregates (SA) were developed as alternative potting media for ornamental plant production. Four different types of SA were developed from low productive acidic soil and paper waste with adding different types of compost amendments. Compost amendments used in the experiment were cattle manure compost, chicken manure compost, and leaf manure compost. Popular ornamental plant french marigold (Tagetes patula) was used in this experiment. SA with different compost amendments gave considerable physical and chemical parameters compared to commercial zeolite media. Moreover, plant grown in SA media showed better growth and nutritional parameters compared to plant grown in zeolite media. The plant height, number of flowers per plant, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root length, root fresh weight and root dry weight obtained from three different compost based SA were increased by in the ranges of 8.14--14.41%, 5.66--9.46%, 25.52--31.47%, 9.44--16.13%, 6.14--9.23%, 2.40--8.47% and 8.85--17.05%, respectively, compared to zeolite control.     

Use of Spent Coffee Ground Compost in Peat-Based Growing Media for the Production of Basil and Tomato Potting Plants

A spent coffee ground compost (SCGC) was evaluated as an alternative component of growing media to partially replace commercial peat (CP) and fertilizers in the production of potted plants. Seven mixtures (CP 100% + solid mineral fertilizers, CP 100% + liquid mineral fertilizers, CP 90% + SCGC 10%, CP 80% + SCGC 20%, CP 70% + SCGC 30%, CP 60% + SCGC 40%, and CP 100% without fertilizers) were compared for the production of basil and tomato potted plants. SCGC used in a proportion up to 40% enhanced the general plant stand by affecting the dry weight and the measured foliar parameters. Tomato and basil recorded good growth rates on SCGC-amended media, showing quality indices similar to those obtained under fertilization, evidencing compost plant nutrition provision. SCGC appears to be suitable for application as a partial peat substitute in the production of potted plants.     

The Art in the Science of Compost Maturity

ABSTRACT. As vermicomposts promote germination, growth, and improved plant yield, they have been promoted as a viable alternative to peat as container media components for the horticultural industry. The aim of this article was to compare the effects of two vermicomposts of animal origin, VCD, and of vegetable origin, VGF, as well as a cotton gin compost (CC), on a commercial peat-based (P) substrate on the growth of tomato seedlings (Lycopersicum esculentum cv. Momotaro) under greenhouse conditions. The results showed that the VCD treatment had the highest values of tomato seedling height, stem diameter, number of leaves per seedling, and total dry matter, followed by VGF, CC, and P treatments. These results support previous studies showing that both vermicomposts and compost can be used with very good results as alternative growth media to peat-based substrates. Nevertheless, the greatest plant growth values were obtained when applying the VCD and VGF vermicomposts followed by CC and P, possibly due to the higher mineral element contents of VCD, followed by VGF, CC, and P, respectively.     

Tomato Fusarium wilt suppressiveness. The relationship between the organic plant growth media and their microbial communities as characterised by Biolog

Fusarium wilts are economically important diseases for which there are no effective chemical control measures. Biological control strategies are becoming efficient alternatives for controlling this disease. The suppressiveness to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 1 of grape marc compost and cork compost was evaluated in comparison to peat by using a susceptible cultivar of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Marmande). Based on community level physiological profiles, different community structures were evident among the plant growth media evaluated. The peat microbial community, growth medium conducive to wilt, used mostly sugars, while those associated with both composts, the very suppressive grape marc and the moderately suppressive cork, used mostly carboxylic acids, amino acids, amines, phenolic compounds and polymers.