Articles
USE OF WINERY-DISTILLERY COMPOSTS FOR LETTUCE AND WATERMELON SEEDLING PRODUCTION
Article number
898_16
Pages
143 – 150
Language
English
Abstract
The aim of this work was to study the utilisation of three different winery-distillery composts (WDC1, WDC2 and WDC3) as alternative components of growing media for transplant production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) and watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris Pata Negra). The composts used were elaborated mainly using exhausted grape marc and other wastes, such as citrus juice waste, for WDC1; tomato soup waste, for WDC2; and cattle manure, for WDC3. Three media were elaborated for each compost type, based on the addition of increasing quantities of the compost, using peat as diluent (20, 40 and 60%, v/v). Pure peat was established as the control treatment.
Physical and physico-chemical properties of the different mixtures peat/compost considered, as well as the germination and the effects of these mixtures on the transplant morphological and nutritional aspects were studied.
In general, the germination of the lettuce seedlings was not negatively affected for WDC2; however, WDC1 and, especially, WDC3 produced significant decreases.
For watermelon, only the highest application dose of the WDCs (60% v/v) induced a statistical decrease in germination.
In general, the media elaborated showed adequate physical and physico-chemical properties compared to peat for their use as growing media in horticulture, the compost WDC2, in the proportions of 20-40% v/v, being the most suitable ingredient for the partial substitution of peat.
Physical and physico-chemical properties of the different mixtures peat/compost considered, as well as the germination and the effects of these mixtures on the transplant morphological and nutritional aspects were studied.
In general, the germination of the lettuce seedlings was not negatively affected for WDC2; however, WDC1 and, especially, WDC3 produced significant decreases.
For watermelon, only the highest application dose of the WDCs (60% v/v) induced a statistical decrease in germination.
In general, the media elaborated showed adequate physical and physico-chemical properties compared to peat for their use as growing media in horticulture, the compost WDC2, in the proportions of 20-40% v/v, being the most suitable ingredient for the partial substitution of peat.
Publication
Authors
M.A. Bustamante, R. Moral, E. Agulló, M.D. Pérez-Murcia, A. Pérez-Espinosa, E.M. Medina, C. Paredes
Keywords
composting, transplant production, substrate, cattle manure, agro-food wastes
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