Articles
POTENTIAL OF COWPEAT AS PEAT SUBSTITUTE IN HORTICULTURAL SUBSTRATES FOR FOLIAGE PLANTS SEEDLING PRODUCTION
Article number
1004_13
Pages
123 – 128
Language
English
Abstract
This study evaluated the potential of cowpeat (composted dairy manure) for use as peat substitute in horticultural substrate for foliage plants seedling production.
Cowpeat had larger size particles compared with Canadian peat, 38.2% particles with diameter between 0.85 to 2.83 mm.
The bulk density and electric conductivity (EC) of media showed a linearly increase with the more proportion cowpeat mixing into the media.
Cuttings of Pothos, Ficus and Philodendron in all the 6 formulated potting media and control achieved 100% rooting rates.
The biomass of roots and shoots of the rooted seedling showed that seedlings in cowpeat based media had equal or better growth compared to control.
Seed germination was tested with Asparagus densiflorus Sprengeri, Chlorophytum amaniense Fire Flash, and Schefflera actinophylla Umbrella Tree. Most of the cowpeat based media resulted with equal or higher seed germination rates than control, except fire flash in media with 60% cowpeat.
These results showed that cowpeat could be used as peat alternative for most foliage plants cutting or seeding production.
Cowpeat had larger size particles compared with Canadian peat, 38.2% particles with diameter between 0.85 to 2.83 mm.
The bulk density and electric conductivity (EC) of media showed a linearly increase with the more proportion cowpeat mixing into the media.
Cuttings of Pothos, Ficus and Philodendron in all the 6 formulated potting media and control achieved 100% rooting rates.
The biomass of roots and shoots of the rooted seedling showed that seedlings in cowpeat based media had equal or better growth compared to control.
Seed germination was tested with Asparagus densiflorus Sprengeri, Chlorophytum amaniense Fire Flash, and Schefflera actinophylla Umbrella Tree. Most of the cowpeat based media resulted with equal or higher seed germination rates than control, except fire flash in media with 60% cowpeat.
These results showed that cowpeat could be used as peat alternative for most foliage plants cutting or seeding production.
Publication
Authors
Qiansheng Li , Min Deng, Jianjun Chen
Keywords
composted dairy waste, soilless media, seed germination, cutting
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