Usage of Herbal (Thyme and Chicory) Waste as an Organic Substrate in Cucumber Production

This experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to study the effect of herbal waste substrate as local substrate in cucumber (Cucumis sativus cv. Zomorod) production. Treatments included thyme: perlite (T50:PR50); thyme: perlite (T25:PR75); thyme, perlite: peat moss (T25:PR25:P50); chicory: perlite (C50:PR50); chicory: perlite (C25:PR75); chicory: perlite: peat moss (C25:PR25:P50), and perlite (100) as control. The experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with 5 replications. The results showed that fruit number and fruit weight were more (about 54% and 65%, respectively) in C25:PR25:P50 treatment than that in the control. Also, the highest leaves number, shoot length, shoot fresh and dry weights, and root fresh and dry weights were observed in this treatment (C25:PR25:P50). The highest K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fe contents were obtained in C50:PR50 treatment. Zn and Cu significantly increased in C25:PR25:P50 treatment. In general, substrate containing chicory was more effective than substrate containing thyme. As comparison among all the substrates, substrate containing chicory, C25:PR25:P50 had a significant effect on growth and yield, and C50:PR50 was more effective than the other substrate on nutrient element concentrations.     

海水连续4年灌溉对库拉索芦荟生长、糖和芦荟甙含量的效应研究

研究不同比例海淡混合水4年灌溉对库拉索芦荟全叶鲜重、叶片含水量和叶片中可溶性糖、多糖和芦荟甙含量的影响。结果表明:10%、25%海水灌溉下,芦荟的全叶鲜重与对照(淡水)差异不显著,50%、75%和100%海水灌溉下的全叶鲜重显著下降,分别较对照降低11%、28%和46%。10%、25%、50%、75%海水灌溉下,芦荟的全叶干重与对照(淡水)差异不显著,100%海水灌溉下的全叶干重显著下降,较对照降低14%。CK、10%、25%、50%海水处理的地上部含水量之间差异不显著,75%、100%海水处理下,其地上部含水量显著下降。在地上部不同叶位的叶片中,老叶随着海水胁迫强度的增加,其含水量下降幅度较大,而幼叶和中部叶含水量下降幅度较小。海水灌溉处理下叶片可溶性糖含量显著高于淡水灌溉处理,在海水灌溉各处理间,随海水比例增大,芦荟叶片中可溶性糖含量呈逐渐显著增加趋势,经过4年比例海淡混合水连续灌溉,芦荟叶片中多糖含量与淡水灌溉处理没有显著差异,但芦荟甙含量随海水灌溉强度的增加而增加,75%海水处理达最大值。不同比例海淡混合水灌溉芦荟的试验是可行的,可以节约淡水,并在一定的海水稀释配比下(75%海水)可以提高芦荟的主要药用功效成份芦荟甙的含量。     

Comparison of different soilless media for growing gerbera under alkalinity stress condition

A factorial experiment was developed with two factors of the growing medium (v/v): 100% coconut fiber (CF), 75% vermicompost+25% perlite (VP), 25% zeolite+75% perlite (ZP), 75% peat+25% perlite (PP), 75% coco chip+25% perlite (CCP), 75% coconut fiber+25% perlite (CFP) and 100% perlite (P); and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) (0, 20 and 40 mM) involving the growth of gerbera cv. Dafne. Compared with CF substrate, NaHCO₃ in the nutrient solution caused significant decrease in vegetative and reproductive traits and nutrient concentration [especially iron, phosphorus, and magnesium (Fe, P and Mg)] in the rest of the media. The improved crop performance of plants grown onto CF substrate was attributed to their strong capacity to accumulate Fe in the aerial part under alkaline conditions and to maintain a better plant nutritional status (higher P and Mg). It is concluded that the use of CF substrate could provide a useful tool to improve alkalinity tolerance of gerbera plants under NaHCO₃ stress.     

INFLUENCE OF SODIUM CHLORIDE AND CALCIUM FOLIAR SPRAY ON HYDROPONICALLY GROWN PARSLEY IN NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE SYSTEM

The effects of salinity [30 or 90 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] and calcium (Ca) foliar application on plant growth were investigated in hydroponically-grown parsley (Petroselinum crispum Mill). Increasing salinity reduced fresh weight and leaf number. Calcium alleviated the negative impacts of 30 mM NaCl on plant biomass and leaf fresh weight but not in case of 90 mM. Plant height, leaf and root dry weight and root length did not differ among treatments. Total phenols increased with calcium application, chlorophyll b reduced by salinity, while total carotenoids increased with salinity and/or Ca application. Salinity reduced nutrient uptake [nitrate (NO₃), potassium (K), phosphorus (P) and Ca] and elemental content in leaves and roots. Calcium application reduced P but increased Ca content in plant tissues. Increments of Na uptake in nutrient solution resulted in higher Na content in leaves and roots regardless Ca application. These findings suggest that calcium treatment may alleviate the negative impacts of salinity.     

Effect of Ammonium: Nitrate Ratio on Yield,Calcium Concentration,and Photosynthesis Rate in Strawberry

The effect of ammonium:nitrate (NH₄:NO₃) ratio in nutrient solution on growth, photosynthesis (Pn), yield, and fruit quality attributes in hydroponically grown strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) cvs. ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Selva’ was evaluated. There were four nutrient solutions of differing NH₄:NO₃ ratios as follows: 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25. Plants grown in solution with 75% NH₄ had lower leaf fresh and dry weights and leaf area than those with 25% NH₄ in both cultivars. High ratios of NH₄ and NO₃ in the solution always reduced the yield. The yield was increased by 38% and 84% in ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Selva,’ respectively, when the plants were grown in the 25NH₄:75NO₃ solution compared with plants grown in a higher NH₄ ratio solution. The increased yield at the 25 NH₄:75NO₃ ratio was the result of the increase in fruit size, i.e., length and fresh weight of fruits. Plants grown in the 25NH₄:75NO₃ solution had the highest rate of Pn, while those grown in 75NH₄:25NO₃ solution had the lowest Pn rates in both cultivars. Increasing the NH₄ ratio in the solution from 0 to 75% significantly reduced the calcium (Ca) concentration and postharvest life of the fruits in both cultivars. Both higher leaf area and Pn rate appeared to be the reason for the increased yield and plant growth in the 25:75 ratios of nitrogen (N). The results indicate the preference of strawberry plant growth toward a greater nitrate N form in a hydroponic solution. Therefore, a combination of two forms of N in an appropriate ratio (25NH₄:75NO₃) appears to be beneficial to plant growth, yield, and quality of strawberry fruits.     

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.     

Effect of dicyandiamide on growth and nutrient uptake of cotton

Abstract

The nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) offers potential for improving efficiency of N applications to cotton grown on sandy soils of the southeastern Coastal Plain. Research has indicated that cotton is sensitive to DCD. The purpose of this greenhouse experiment was to investigate the effect of DCD on growth and nutrient uptake of DPL 90 cotton grown for 73 days in pots containing a typical Coastal Plain soil (Norfolk sandy loam, Typic Paleudult). Nitrogen (50 mg kg^‐1) as NaNO₃ or urea, and DCD (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg kg^‐1) were applied to the soil at first true leaf and plants were harvested 58 days later. Sodium nitrate increased leaf dry weight and total dry weight of plants 9.1 and 6.0%, respectively, over urea fertilized plants. Leaf area, dryweight, and stem dry weight were reduced linearly with DCD. Fertilization with urea increased concentrations of leaf P, K, and Mn and reduced the concentration of Mg in leaf tissue. Dicyandiamide increased leaf N, P, and K concentrations but reduced concentrations of Ca, Mg, and Mn. Uptake rates (μg^‐1 g^‐1 fresh root day^‐1) of Ca and Mg were increased 7.5 and 13.7%, respectively, with NaNO₃ vs. urea, while P uptake rate was 15.5% greater for urea‐fertilized plants vs. NaNO₃‐fertilized plants. Dicyandiamide reduced Ca and Mg uptake rates. Phosphorus uptake rates were increased by DCD when urea was the N source. The effects of DCD on cotton growth and nutrient uptake generally resulted from the compound itself and were not an indirect result of nitrification inhibition. Although significant reductions in plant growth did not occur unless DCD exceeded that normally applied with recommended N rates on this soil, these results suggest a need for caution when applying DCD to cotton grown on sandy soils.     

Effect of humic substances in nutrient film technique on nutrient uptake

An experiment was conducted to find out how humic substances affected nutrient uptake of plants. The test plants, oregano, thyme, and basil, were grown in nutrient film technique at two pH levels (4.5 and 6.5), in two substrates (peat and perlite), and at three levels of humic substance that was a peat extract (control, low, and high concentration). Nutrient uptake of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) were determined by elemental contents in aerial parts of the plant and its weight. Humic substance had no effect on K, Ca, and Mg uptake but lowered the uptake of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu for the three test plants, more pronounced with perlite than peat and more at low pH than at high pH. The lowering of the uptake might be caused by complexation of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu by the humic substance and the lower availability of these metals in complexed form than as a cation or as EDTA‐chelate in the case of Fe. It is not clear why the effect of the humic substance on micro‐element uptake is larger at low than at high pH. The complexation is expected to be stronger at pH 6.5 than at pH 4.5. At low pH, the high concentration of humic substance caused a low fresh weight of the shoots, perhaps caused by a toxicity of the humic substance at low pH. This was less pronounced at high pH.     

Effects of different growing media on vegetative and reproductive growth of bell pepper

A soilless pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different growing substrates on vegetative and reproductive growth of bell pepper. The growing substrates consisted of: rice hull (100%), perlite (100%), coarse saw dust (100%), rice hull (75%)+zeolite (25%), perlite (75%)+zeolite (25%), saw dust (75%)+zeolite (25%), rice hull (50%)+perlite (50%), saw dust (50%)+perlite (50%), and rice hull (50%)+saw dust (50%) (by volume). Results showed that for all measured vegetative traits the highest and lowest amount was related to the plants grown in the perlite+zeolite and pure rice hull or saw dust, respectively. Results also showed that using perlite+zeolite as the media produced the highest fruit number and yield, while plant grown in the saw dust+zeolite produced the lowest fruit number. According to the results, adding zeolite and perlite to rice hull or saw dust in most cases, significantly increased the pepper yield compared with their pure treatments.     

Effect of Nutrient Solution PH on the Vegetative and Reproductive Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Rose Cv. ‘Grand Gala’ in Hydroponic System

The rose plants were cultivated in the pots containing 75% cocopeat+ 25% perlite and were nourished with ½ Hoagland nutrient solutions with pH of 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 8. The results revealed that plant fresh and dry weight, flower bud, and stem diameter increased with the increase in pH from 4.5 to 6.5, but then started to decrease with further increase in pH up to 8. The highest number of buds, chlorophyll content, F_v/F_m, performance index (PI), and leaf phosphorus, iron, manganese, and copper concentrations were obtained at pH 6.5 and the lowest one at pH 8. The highest and lowest zinc concentration was observed at pH 6.5 and 4.5, respectively. According to the results, pH 6.5 was evaluated as optimum for hydroponic culture of rose, which resulted in the higher uptake of elements and better vegetative and reproductive growth and higher quality of rose plants.     

Effect of Foliar Salicylic Acid Applications on Growth,Chlorophyll, and Mineral Content of Cucumber Grown Under Salt Stress

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of foliar salicylic acid (SA) applications on growth, chlorophyll, and mineral content of cucumber grown under salt stress. The study was conducted in pot experiments under greenhouse conditions. Cucumber seedlings were treated with foliar SA applications at different concentrations (0.0, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mM). Salinity treatments were established by adding 0, 60, and 120 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl) to a base complete nutrient solution. The SA was applied with spraying two times as before and after transplanting. Salt stress negatively affected the growth, chlorophyll content and mineral uptake of cucumber plants. However, foliar applications of SA resulted in greater shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, and root dry weight as well as higher plants under salt stress. Shoot diameter and leaf number per plant increased with SA treatments under salt stress. The greatest chlorophyll content was obtained with 1.00 mM SA treatment in both saline and non-saline conditions. Leaf water relative content (LWRC) reduced in response to salt stress while SA raised LWRC of salt stressed cucumber plants. Salinity treatments induced significant increases in electrolyte leakage. Plants treated with foliar SA had lower values of electrolyte leakage than non-treated ones. In regard to nutrient content, it can be interfered that foliar SA applications increased almost all nutrient content in leaves and roots of cucumber plants under salt stress. Generally, the greatest values were obtained from 1.00 mM SA application. Based on these findings, the SA treatments may help alleviate the negative effect of salinity on the growth of cucumber.     

生物氢烷工程沼渣用于油菜及菠菜育苗的效果

为探究将生物氢烷工程沼渣应用于蔬菜育苗基质生产的可行性,以油菜品种"华绿四号"、菠菜品种"先锋菠菜"为材料,按不同体积比将生物氢烷工程沼渣与土壤或草炭、蛭石和珍珠岩三者混配作为育苗基质,通过穴盘育苗试验研究生物氢烷工程沼渣对基质理化性质和油菜、菠菜幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:添加生物氢烷工程沼渣可显著改善基质的容重、总孔隙度、有机质含量、pH值和电导率EC(electronical conductivity)值等理化性质;适宜配比的生物氢烷工程沼渣对幼苗生长发育有一定的促进作用,其中T6(生物氢烷工程沼渣20%、草炭30%、蛭石25%、珍珠岩25%)的基质配方较为适宜,T6中油菜出苗率显著高于CK3(草炭50%、蛭石25%、珍珠岩25%)(P0.05),提高了14.3%,菠菜出苗率提高了12.4%,幼苗的株高、茎粗、单株叶面积显著高于或接近CK3(P0.05),幼苗根冠比和壮苗指数与CK3无显著差异;添加生物氢烷工程沼渣可使幼苗地下部生物量显著升高(P0.05),促进根系生长,使幼苗地上部、地下部生物量分配更加均衡。因此,生物氢烷工程沼渣具有一定的肥效,可部分替代草炭用于叶菜育苗基质生产,但使用前可考虑进行好氧堆肥处理进一步腐熟或与氮肥配施以提高肥效。     

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.     

Poinsettia growth,tissue nutrient concentration,and nutrient uptake as influenced by nitrogen form and stage of growth

Growth, development, and uptake of essential nutrients as influenced by nitrogen (N) form and growth stage was evaluated for ‘Freedom’ poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. Ex Klotz.). Treatments consisted of five nitrate (NH₄ ⁺):ammonium (NO₃ ^‐) ratios (% NH₄ ⁺:% NO₃ ^‐) of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100 with a total N concentration of 150 mg L^‐1. Plants were grown in solution culture for ten weeks under greenhouse conditions. Nutrient uptake data was combined into three physiological growth stages. Growth stage I (GSI) included early vegetative growth (long days). Growth stage II (GSII) began at floral induction and leaf and bract expansion (short days). Growth stage III (GSIII) was from visible bud through anthesis and harvest. Dry weights for all plant parts and height increased as the ratio of NO₃ ^‐ increased. Leaf area and bract area were maximized with 25:75 and 50:50 N treatments, respectively. Nitrogen treatments significantly affected foliar nutrient concentrations with calcium (Ca⁺⁺) and magnesium (Mg⁺⁺) being highest when NO₃ ^‐ was the predominant N form. Uptake of each macronutrient was averaged across all treatments and divided into physiological growth stages (GS) to identify peak demand periods during the growth cycle. The greatest uptake of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^‐ was from the early vegetative stage to floral induction (GSI). Phosphorus (P), potassium (K⁺), and Mg⁺⁺ uptake were greatest from floral induction to visible bud (GSII) and Ca⁺⁺ uptake remained relatively unchanged through GSI and GSII. Uptake was lowest for all nutrients from visible bud to anthesis (GSIII). Results from this study clearly indicate that peak demand periods for macronutrient uptake existed during the growth cycle of poinsettia.     

Influence of Drought Stress on Leaf Traits of Different Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa L.) Varieties in Natural Environment

A study was carried out to explore leaf traits analysis of three strawberry varieties under different drought conditions in Malaysian upland environment in 2013. Plants of three strawberry varieties were grown in three different soil moisture levels including 25 percent (severe stress), 50 percent (mild stress), and 75 percent (normal irrigation) and remained for 60 days as a duration of stress to get appropriate observations of plants to drought stress. Significant differences were observed among varieties, treatments, and duration of drought stress in different traits (P < 0.05). Leaf area, leaf number, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll stability index, leaf moisture, leaf expansion rate, and leaf yield were diminished under stress especially when treated with 25 percent of soil moisture level and 60 days of duration. Moreover, there were remarkable differences among plants in terms of leaf thickness in 25 percent, 50 percent, and control. Severe stress reduced leaf thickness significantly compared to other treatments.     

施肥量对醋糟基质栽培生菜的影响

研究了5种施肥量处理[正常施肥量的0 (0 s)、1/8 (1/8 s)、1/4 (1/4 s)、1/2( 1/2 s)和1(1 s)单位]对醋糟混合基质栽培生菜生长以及品质的影响.结果表明,1/4单位施肥量(1/4 s)处理下醋糟基质的pH和EC值变化较其他处理平稳.1/4单位施肥量(1/4 s)处理下生菜茎粗、产量、根鲜重、叶鲜重最大,而1个单位施肥量(1 s)处理下上述指标最小.对采收时生菜品质的分析表明,生菜叶片内的硝酸盐含量随着施肥量的增加而迅速上升,1个单位施肥量(1 s)处理下生菜叶片中硝酸盐和可溶性蛋白含量最高,1/4单位施肥量(1/4s)处理下生菜叶片中可溶性糖含量最高.综合考虑产量和品质,采用1/4单位的配方(1/4 s)是适合醋糟基质栽培生菜的施肥配方.     

The influence of soil aeration on growth and elemental absorption of greenhouse‐grown seedling pecan trees

Abstract

‘Dodd’ pecan seedlings were exposed to 3 levels of soil aeration for 30 days; 100%, 5%, and 0% of the container surface exposed to the atmosphere. These treatments resulted in about 21%, 13.5%, and 3% soil O₂and 0.3%, 5%, and 13% soil CO₂for 100%, 5%, and 0% of the container surface exposed, respectively. Restricting soil aeration induced partial stomatal closure, and decreased leaf number, leaf area, and leaf, trunk and root dry weights. The decrease in root dry weight associated with reduced soil aeration exceeded the decrease in top dry weight by about 50%. Translocation of N and P to the leaves was reduced when soil aeration was restricted, but root N and P concentrations were increased compared to trees grown in well aerated soil. Leaf elemental concentrations of Ca, Mg, and Mn were lower when trees were exposed to reduced soil aeration. Zinc and Fe concentrations were greater in the roots of trees with low aeration, but leaf and trunk concentrations of Zn and Fe were not affected     

生物质炭醋糟复配物代替草炭对辣椒幼苗生长的影响

生物质炭的农业利用日益受到关注。针对草炭资源日益耗竭的问题,以药渣炭、木屑炭和猪粪炭为试验对象,配比一定量的醋糟,分析了不同配比生物质炭复合基质对辣椒幼苗生长的影响,探讨了生物质炭复合基质代替草炭基质的可能性。试验结果表明:生物质炭在与醋糟按4∶2、3∶3、2∶4等不同配比混合后,基质的pH大多数在6.0~7.5,基质的通气孔隙有所提高。综合整个幼苗生育期,含20%生物质炭的各复合基质处理的辣椒幼苗株高、茎粗、叶面积、地上部生物量均显著优于对照草炭基质;含20%、40%药渣炭的基质处理的幼苗根表面积、根体积表现较好,在前期与草炭基质无显著差异,后期显著高于草炭基质。药渣炭和木屑炭与醋糟混配基质的壮苗指数优于草炭处理,其中B1A2(药渣炭∶醋糟∶蛭石∶珍珠岩=4∶2∶3∶1)、B1A4(药渣炭∶醋糟∶蛭石∶珍珠岩=2∶4∶3∶1)、B2A4(木屑炭∶醋糟∶蛭石∶珍珠岩=2∶4∶3∶1)处理的壮苗指数均显著高于其他处理。综合评价各生长指标,B1A2和B1A4处理基质的表现最好,可代替草炭基质在辣椒育苗上应用。     

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.     

Elemental leaf content and deficiency symptoms in rabbiteye blueberries: 2. Calcium and magnesium

In separate tests, rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei Reade) grown in sand culture were subjected to varying levels of Ca (0–81 mg/liter) and Mg (0–24 mg/liter) applied at rates of 250 ml/plant daily. Other essential nutrients were kept constant. Leaf concentrations of N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, B, Zn, Co, and Al were determined. The concentration of Ca in the leaves increased linearly but that of Cu decreased in response to increasing levels of Ca fertilization. Leaf concentrations of other elements were not significantly influenced by Ca fertilization. Leaf Mg and Al concentrations increased linearly in response to increasing levels of Mg fertilization. The P content in leaves followed a quadratic curve with increased Mg fertilization. Percent P increased from the 0 to 12 mg/liter levels and then decreased from the 12 to 24 mg/liter levels of Mg. High levels of Mg fertilization resulted in reduced Cu content of leaves.

Fertilization rates of Ca or Mg had little effect on shoot dry weight except at the 0 mg/liter levels. As leaf Ca decreased below 0.20% Ca, Ca deficiency symptoms became more prevalent. Magnesium deficiency symptoms increased as leaf Mg decreased below 0.15% Mg.