Peat and peat substitutes as growth media for container-grown plants

Raviv, M.; Chen, Y.; Inbar, Y.

doi:10.1007/978-94-009-4426-8_11

Cited by 116 publications

(135 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…Such substrates typically have an inorganic and organic component (Bilderback et al, 2005). The organic component provides high porosity, low bulk density, and nutrient retention (e.g., water, nutrient ions) (Raviv et al, 1986), which makes Sphagnum peat moss a strongly suitable option with widespread use (Carlile et al, 2015;Robinson and Lamb, 1975). However, increasing expense and competing uses for peat (Caron et al, 2015), impacts of its harvest on wetland ecosystems (Barkham, 1993;Robertson, 1993), including loss of peat bogs as a key global C sink (Cleary et al, 2005), and its perception as unsustainable (Caron et al, 2015) have spurred recent investigations of substitutes for peat in soil-free substrates, including biomass waste products such as compost and sawdust (e.g., Ceglie et al, 2015;Maas and Adamson, 1972;Wright et al, 2009;Álvarez et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substitution of peat moss with softwood biochar for soil-free marigold growth

Margenot

Griffin

Alves

et al. 2018

Industrial Crops and Products

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A B S T R A C TPeat moss has historically been a key component of soil-free substrates in the greenhouse and nursery industries. However, the increasing expense of peat, negative impacts of peat mining on wetland ecosystems, and growing perception of peat as unsustainable have led to investigation for alternatives. Biochar (BC) is a promising substitute for peat, yet the majority of studies examine additions of BC to peat-based substrates rather than replacing the peat component or employ relatively low substitution rates. Furthermore, at high substitution rates the alkalinity common to many BCs may increase substrate pH and adversely impact plant production. We evaluated BC substitution for peat and pH adjustment of resulting substrates on marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) performance under standard greenhouse conditions. A high pH (10.9) softwood BC (800°C) was substituted for peat in a standard 70:30 (v/v) peat:perlite mixture at 10% total volume increments. Substrate pH was either not adjusted or adjusted to pH 5.8 using a BC by-product, pyroligneous acid (PLA). Germination was inhibited in pH adjusted substrates with high BC substitution (50-70% total substrate volume) likely due to higher dosages of PLA needed to neutralize pH. At harvest (flowering stage, 9 weeks) the initial pH gradient (4.4-10.4) in substrates that were not pH adjusted had converged to pH 5.6-7.5, and BC substitution for peat did not negatively impact marigold biomass or flowering. At low substitution rates (10-30% total substrate volume), marigold biomass and leaf SPAD values were greater than the control peat-perlite mixture (0% BC). This study demonstrates that softwood BC can be considered as a full replacement for peat in soil-free substrates, and even at high rates (70% total substrate volume) does not require pH adjustment for marigold production. Crop-and BC-specific considerations and economic potential should be investigated for wider application.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substitution of peat moss with softwood biochar for soil-free marigold growth

Margenot

Griffin

Alves

et al. 2018

Industrial Crops and Products

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“…The T regime in the container must also be considered, particularly if CRF are used (Raviv et al, 1986;Handreck, 1992). Further studies in nursery conditions are needed to measure the effects of fertigation compared to the use of CRF on leachate composition and productivity in ornamental plant nurseries on the Mediterranean coast.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of climate and fertilization strategy on nitrogen balance in an outdoor potted crop of Viburnum tinus L.

Narváez

Cáceres

Marfà

2012

Span. j. agric. res.

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Little information is currently available on how fertilization management affects leachate composition and the plant nitrogen (N) uptake of crops under Mediterranean climate. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of different fertilization strategies and doses on the composition of the leachates and the use of N by plants, to establish a N balance for the different fertilization strategies and doses used and to establish a linear regression model to predict N concentration in leachates from an outdoor potted crop of Viburnum tinus L. 'Eve Price'. Two fertilizations strategies, i.e. continuous fertigation (NS) and incorporated controlled-release fertilizer (CRF), were applied to the crop. The treatments were two NS doses (NSA: 57.4 mg NO 3 --N L -1 and NSB: 43.4 mg NO 3 --N L -1 ) and two CRF doses (CRFC: 5 g L -1 and CRFD: 7 g L -1 ). The NO 3 --N concentration in the leachates from the CRF treatments was high in the first weeks of growing (100-300 mg L -1 ). The efficiency of use of N was greater in the NSA treatment (9.2 g g -1 ). When CRFC was applied there was an increased loss of N by leaching (48 % of the total N). The concentration of N in the leachates for both fertilization strategies was found to be correlated with the variables substrate temperature and precipitation. Therefore, these variables must be considered when determining the dose of fertilizer to be added to a crop, especially when CRF are chosen, to avoid high losses of N by leaching.Additional key words: controlled-release fertilizer; fertigation; Mediterranean climate; nitrate pollution; nitrogen efficiency; woody ornamental. ResumenEfectos del clima y de la estrategia de fertilización en el balance de nitrógeno en un cultivo al exterior en contenedor de Viburnum tinus L.Existe poca información sobre el efecto de la estrategia de fertilización en la composición de los lixiviados y la absorción de nitrógeno (N) por un cultivo en clima mediterráneo. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron determinar el efecto de diferentes estrategias de fertilización y dosis en la composición de los lixiviados y en el uso del N por las plantas, establecer un balance de N basado en la estrategia de fertilización y dosis aplicadas y establecer un modelo lineal para predecir la concentración de N en los lixiviados de un cultivo de Viburnum tinus L. `Eve Price´. Se aplicaron al cultivo fertilizantes mediante fertirrigación continua ( ). Las pérdi-das de N por lixiviación aumentaron significativamente al aplicar el tratamiento CRFC (48% del N total). La concentración de N en los lixiviados de todos los tratamientos se correlacionó con las variables temperatura del sustrato y precipitación, por lo que éstas deben ser consideradas para determinar la dosis de fertilizantes a añadir a un cultivo, especialmente cuando se usan CRF, y así evitar elevadas pérdidas de N por lixiviación.

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“…Nursery potting media usually contain substantial amounts of peat moss (Sphagnum spp.) since it provides adequate aeration, moisture retention and support for the seedlings (Raviv et al, 1986). However the use of peat involves the exploitation of non-renewable resources and the degradation of highly valuable ecosystems like peatlands (Robertson, 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Compost and vermicompost as nursery pot components: effects on tomato plant growth and morphology

Lazcano

Arnold

Tato

et al. 2009

Span. j. agric. res.

151

101

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Post transplant success after nursery stage is strongly influenced by plant morphology. Cultural practices strongly shape plant morphology, and substrate choice is one of the most determining factors. Peat is the most often used amendment in commercial potting substrates, involving the exploitation of non-renewable resources and the degradation of highly valuable peatland ecosystems and therefore alternative substrates are required. Here the feasibility of replacing peat by compost or vermicompost for the production of tomato plants in nurseries was investigated through the study of the effect of increasing proportions of these substrates (0%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 75% and 100%) in target plant growth and morphological features, indicators of adequate post-transplant growth and yield. Compost and vermicompost showed to be adequate substrates for tomato plant growth. Total replacement of peat by vermicompost was possible while doses of compost higher than 50% caused plant mortality. Low doses of compost (10 and 20%) and high doses of vermicompost produced significant increases in aerial and root biomass of the tomato plants. In addition these treatments improved significantly plant morphology (higher number of leaves and leaf area, and increased root volume and branching). The use of compost and vermicompost constitute an attractive alternative to the use of peat in plant nurseries due to the environmental benefits involved but also due to the observed improvement in plant quality.Additional key words: peat moss, plant nursery, soil-less substrate, Solanum lycopersicum L. Resumen Compost y vermicompost como componentes de sustratos artificiales de cultivo en viveros: efectos en el crecimiento y morfología del tomateTanto las prácticas de cultivo en los viveros como la elección del tipo de sustrato tienen una gran influencia sobre la morfología de las plántulas y por lo tanto en su adaptación post transplante. Aunque la turba es uno de los sustratos más utilizados en viveros, su uso conlleva la explotación de un recurso no renovable y la degradación de las turberas, por lo que se hace necesaria la búsqueda de sustratos alternativos que puedan reemplazarla total o parcialmente. En este trabajo se investigó la posibilidad de reemplazar la turba por compost o vermicompost en la producción de plántulas de tomate, mediante el estudio de los efectos de proporciones crecientes de estos sustratos (0%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 75% y 100%) en parámetros morfológicos y de crecimiento claves para la adaptación post transplante. Compost y vermicompost mostraron ser sustratos adecuados para el crecimiento de las plántulas. La sustitución total de la turba sólo fue posible con vermicompost mientras que las dosis de compost mayores que el 50% produjeron la mortalidad de las plántulas. Las dosis bajas de compost (10 y 20%) y altas de vermicompost, produjeron incrementos significativos en la biomasa aérea y radicular de las plantas. Además estas dosis mejoraron de forma significativa su morfología (número de hojas, superficie foliar, volume...

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Peat and peat substitutes as growth media for container-grown plants

Cited by 116 publications

References 79 publications

Substitution of peat moss with softwood biochar for soil-free marigold growth

Substitution of peat moss with softwood biochar for soil-free marigold growth

Effects of climate and fertilization strategy on nitrogen balance in an outdoor potted crop of Viburnum tinus L.

Compost and vermicompost as nursery pot components: effects on tomato plant growth and morphology

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