Articles
Green application for an industrial by-product: aged Eucalyptus globulus bark-based substrates
Article number
1305_44
Pages
325 – 332
Language
English
Abstract
A sustainable practice for Eucalyptus globulus bark valorization applying circular economy approach – a valuable waste stream from industrial pulpwood production in temperate regions – might be this fiber conversion into a new raw-material component for horticultural substrate industry.
Forest-based materials, as alternatives to peat in growing media, are associated with inherent biological and chemical limitations, such as the presence of phytotoxic substances in fresh biomass and high microbial N immobilization.
This study evaluates E. globulus bark aging treatment over successive periods of time (at 0, 4 and 12 weeks), and the effect of an initial amendment (220 mg N L‑1), regarding substrate biological, chemical and physical properties.
Fresh bark (FB) was phytotoxic: cress seed germination rate (GR) and root index (RI) were close to 0%, compared to peat control (GR and RI of 100%). Aging gradually removed the toxic effect; after 4 weeks FB showed GR=85% and RI>80%. On the 4th week of aging period FB chemical properties fitted within the recommended range for substrate use, excepting mineral N content.
The aging process may promote N immobilization, however, and therefore initial substrate amendment is required prior to potting, thus providing enough nutrients according to plant needs.
After seven days of incubation, aged bark pre-amended led to a lower N immobilization rate (0.02 mmol N L‑1 day‑1) than aged bark without N-supplement (0.29 mmol N L‑1 day‑1). The gradual addition of bark enhanced substrate aeration while water availability decreased.
However, compaction risk may be reduced.
Aged E. globulus bark can be blended up to 25% with peat and produce plants as good as in commercial peat-based substrates.
Forest-based materials, as alternatives to peat in growing media, are associated with inherent biological and chemical limitations, such as the presence of phytotoxic substances in fresh biomass and high microbial N immobilization.
This study evaluates E. globulus bark aging treatment over successive periods of time (at 0, 4 and 12 weeks), and the effect of an initial amendment (220 mg N L‑1), regarding substrate biological, chemical and physical properties.
Fresh bark (FB) was phytotoxic: cress seed germination rate (GR) and root index (RI) were close to 0%, compared to peat control (GR and RI of 100%). Aging gradually removed the toxic effect; after 4 weeks FB showed GR=85% and RI>80%. On the 4th week of aging period FB chemical properties fitted within the recommended range for substrate use, excepting mineral N content.
The aging process may promote N immobilization, however, and therefore initial substrate amendment is required prior to potting, thus providing enough nutrients according to plant needs.
After seven days of incubation, aged bark pre-amended led to a lower N immobilization rate (0.02 mmol N L‑1 day‑1) than aged bark without N-supplement (0.29 mmol N L‑1 day‑1). The gradual addition of bark enhanced substrate aeration while water availability decreased.
However, compaction risk may be reduced.
Aged E. globulus bark can be blended up to 25% with peat and produce plants as good as in commercial peat-based substrates.
Authors
C. Chemetova, G. Barroso, J. Gominho, A. Fabião, H. Ribeiro
Keywords
biomass waste, peat replacement, phytotoxicity, N immobilization, bark blending
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