Growth and Nutrition of Geraniums Grown in Media Developed From Waste Tire Components

Abstract

<jats:p>Two cultivars of zonal geraniums (<jats:italic>Pelargonium</jats:italic> ×<jats:italic>hortorum</jats:italic> Bailey), `Danielle' and `Kim', were grown in media containing three grind sizes of rubber (2.4, 6, or 10 mm) and fiber from the fabric belting processed from waste tires in three proportions: 1 rubber or fiber: 1 peat; 1 rubber or fiber: 1 vermiculite: 2 peat; and 2 rubber or fiber: 1 vermiculite: 1 peat (by volume). Two control media were also included: 1 vermiculite: 1 peat, and 1 rockwool: 1 peat (by volume). Geranium plants were grown in media containing up to 25% waste tire products along with traditional medium components without reducing plant quality. Plant growth was best and flower count was highest in the vermiculite and peat medium, plants were smallest and flower count was lowest in media containing the rubber grinds at 2.4 or 6 mm, making up 50% of the media. The medium 1 rubber: 1 vermiculite: 2 peat, regardless of grind or fiber, produced plants equal to the rockwool and peat moss medium. All plants grown in media containing rubber by-products had elevated Zn and Cu in the foliage; however, Zn and Cu were highest in media containing 50% rubber. Foliar P: Zn ratios were less for plants grown in media containing 50% rubber and also were lower in plants grown in media with smaller rubber grind sizes.</jats:p>

Tire-Wear Particles as a Source of Zinc to the Environment

“…As compared to recently applied soluble Zn salts, the fraction of the Zn in tire debris (exposed to 11 months of outdoor weathering in Belgium following soil application) that was labile in the pore water was 10-40% (23). Tissue of plants grown in soils amended with ground tire material showed elevated concentrations of Zn (76)(77)(78)(79). Microorganisms inhabiting soil and water can probably influence the mobilization of Zn from tire rubber in two distinct ways.…”

Fate and Effect of Zinc from Tire Debris in Soil

“…The increase in total soil Zn concentration was not reported but was most likely much larger than 6, indicating that the Zn in tires is relatively less available than that in control soil. Plants grown in soilless potting media containing ground tire rubber showed elevated Zn concentration in their tissue and plant yield decreased with increasing rubber content in these media ( , ).…”

Katı Atık Emisyonlarının Azaltılmasında Ömrünü Tamamlamış Araç Lastiklerinin Toprakaltı Drenaj Sistemlerinde Zarf Malzemesi Olarak Kullanım Olanaklarının Araştırılması

“…Kırıntı ve toz haline getirilen atık lastikler otomotiv endüstrisinde, spor alanlarının yer kaplamalarında ve inşaat malzemeleri üretiminde kullanılmaktadır. Newman et al, (1997) İki katmanlı olan permeametre düzeneğinde üst katmanda zarf malzemesi, alt katmanda toprak bulunacak şekilde tasarlanmıştır. Toprak parçacıklarının permeametre dibine düşmesini engellemek için permeametrenin altına destekleyici bir elek ve bunun üzerine de elek çapında kesilmiş bir sargı bezi yerleştirilmiştir.…”