Impact of Bio-Composite on Growth and Chemical Composition of Three Pine Species Seedlings as Comparing With Some Growing Media

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different growing media (sand, clay, mixture of clay and sand at the ratio of 1:1(V/V) and Bio-composite) on the growth and chemical composition of Pinus halepensis, Pinus brutia and Pinus pinea seedlings in the nursery. The recorded data indicated that the most effective growing medium was Bio-composite, which gave highest values for all recorded growth characteristics, particularly Pinus halepensis which reached to (63.7cm, 16.3g and 6.3g in plant height, Fresh weight and Dry weight respectively), whereas the least effective media were sand and clay (when each was used alone). The selection of a growing medium is one of the important decisions in most containers culture of nursery plants. The physical, chemical and biological characteristics of a growing medium affect not only seedling growth but also other aspects of nursery operations.