Poinsettia Growth and Development Response to Container Root Substrate with Biochar

Abstract

A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the growth and development of poinsettia 'Prestige Red' (Euphorbia pulcherrima) grown in a commercial peat-based potting mix (Sunshine Mix #1) amended with biochar at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, or 100% (by volume) at four different fertigation regimes: F1: 100 to 200 mg·L −1 nitrogen (N), F2: 200 to 300 mg·L −1 N (control), F3: 300 to 400 mg·L −1 N, or F4: 400 to 500 mg·L −1 N. The experiment was a two-factor factorial design with 10 replications for each combination of biochar by fertigation. As the percentage of biochar increased, root substrate pore space and bulk density increased, while container capacity decreased. Root rot and red bract necrosis only occurred in F4 combined with 100% biochar. Plants grown in 40% biochar had a similar growth and development to those in 0% biochar. Up to 80% biochar, plants exhibited no significant change, except in terms of dry weight, which decreased at higher biochar percentages (60% and 80%). In summary, at a fertigation rate of 100 mg·L −1 N to 400 mg·L −1 N, up to 80% biochar could be used as an amendment to peat-based root substrate with acceptable growth reduction and no changes in quality.

Mixed Hardwood and Sugarcane Bagasse Biochar as Potting Mix Components for Container Tomato and Basil Seedling Production

“…When adding biochar in composted green waste, the shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, and root dry weight of Calathea insignis were increased by 57.3%, 79.7%, 64.5%, and 82.0%, respectively [25]. Similar works had also been reported on Easter lily [6,26,27]. The biochar from red oak feedstock mixed with vermiculite also increased hybrid poplar total biomass and shoot biomass [28].…”

“…Biochar, a carbon-rich by-product from biomass pyrolysis, has potential for substituting PM as greenhouse growing media [6]. Pyrolysis biochar is generated from biomass thermo-chemical decomposition in oxygen-depleted or oxygen-limited atmosphere [7][8][9].…”

“…Graber [23] reported that citrus wood biochar has potential to improve pepper and tomato plant growth in a systematic way, increasing the leaf area, canopy and yield. Guo [6] found that incorporating pinewood biochar with PM-based commercial substrate increased poinsettia growth. Huang's [24] study showed that mixing hardwood biochar with two different composts could lead to similar or better plant growth in basil and tomato plants in comparison to those in PM-based commercial substrates.…”

Plant Production in Controlled Environments

“…Seeking a sustainable, locally available alternative for peat moss is vital. Guo et al [13] conducted a greenhouse study to evaluate the growth and development of poinsettia grown in a commercial peat-based substrate amended with biochar at different ratios along with different fertigation regimes [13]. They concluded that up to 80% biochar could be used as an amendment to peat-based substrate with acceptable growth and no change in quality.…”

Evaluation of Biochar and Compost Mixes as Substitutes to a Commercial Propagation Mix

“…Biochar (BC) is a carbonaceous material obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass, including plant-based materials, such as wood, grasses, or crop residues [6,7], and animal-based materials, such as crab shell [8] or manure [9][10][11]. Biochar has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions [12], sequester environmental contaminants [13] and be used as a valuable substrate component for plant production [14][15][16][17][18]. Biochar is regarded as a sustainable product, which turns agriculture waste products into valuable materials.…”