Articles
INFLUENCE OF A WOOD FIBER SUBSTRATE AND WATER QUALITY ON PLANT QUALITY AND GROWTH OF SAINTPAULIA X IONANTHA AND SINNINGIA X HYBRIDA
The plants were cultivated in different substrates and treated with different water qualities.
At the end of the experimental period, the characteristics of plant quality and growth were determined.
The substrates compared were examined for pH-value, main nutrient components, and EC-value.
The different amounts of CaCO3 given to the wood fiber substrate influenced quality and growth of the African violets.
Plant quality was increased by the use of this substrate as compared to others.
In the case of gloxinias two standard substrates lead to less quality of the plants as compared to wood fiber substrates.
In both plant species the use of bark material as a substrate amendment reduced the quality of the plants.
This was possibly due to the remaining nitrogen fixation of this component.
From the results can be concluded, that the fertilization of plants cultivated in wood fiber substrates should start 8 to 10 days earlier as compared to standard substrates.
In recirculating systems the concentration of the nutrient solution should be increased by 0.1 to 0.2 % O when using wood fiber substrates.
For the obtainment of high quality plants a modified supply of water and an early start of the fertilization is of great importance.