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

Margenot, Andrew J.; Griffin, Deirdre E.; Alves, Bárbara Samartini Queiroz; Rippner, Devin A.; Li, Chongyang; Parikh, Sanjai J.

doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.10.053

Cited by 38 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…Dispenza et al [18] reported that incorporation of conifer BC (60% or 80% by volume) in a brown peat-based substrate increased the dry weight and canopy height of potted Euphorbia × lomi plants due to improved physiochemical characteristics of the substrate. Margenot et al [19] found that softwood BC in a soilless substrate can completely replace peat at 70% (v/v) without pH adjustment for producing containerized marigold. Similarly, Guo et al [20] demonstrated that pinewood BC produced at 450 • C can be used in a peat-based substrate for up to 80% (v/v) without negative effects on the growth and development of containerized Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar or Biochar-Compost Amendment to a Peat-Based Substrate Improves Growth of Syngonium podophyllum

2019

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Increasing demand for sustainable and low-cost alternatives to peat is a challenge in the production of container-grown plants. Biochar (BC) and compost, as eco-friendly materials, could be used to completely or partially substitute for peat. However, information regarding plant responses to the substitution is limited. This study evaluated effects of the amendment of a BC or a BC-compost mixture (BioComp) to a peat-based substrate at 20% by volume on the growth of Syngonium podophyllum. BC was pyrolyzed from wheat straw at 350 °C. Compost was made from farm green waste. BC or BioComp amendment elevated the pH and electrical conductivity of formulated substrates and improved plant growth. Concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and chlorophyll in leaves and the net photosynthetic rate of plants grown in BC or BioComp amended substrates were significantly higher than those grown in the control substrate. Total soluble protein and total phenolic contents were greater in plants grown in BC- or BioComp-amended substrates as well, but no significant difference occurred in reactive oxygen-related enzymatic activities, reducing power or proline contents across substrates. Our results show that BC or BioComp can be used to replace 20% of peat by volume, and such replacement enhanced S. podophyllum growth.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar or Biochar-Compost Amendment to a Peat-Based Substrate Improves Growth of Syngonium podophyllum

2019

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“…Similar to our results, Nieto et al [39] tested and indicated that the germination rate of the lettuce seeds in mixes with 75% BC (from pruning waste at 300 or 500 • C) and peat were similar to the 100% peat control. Margenot et al [23] also showed that the substrate with 70% (by volume) softwood BC and 30% perlite without pH adjustment had no negative effect on the germination rate of marigold seeds compared to the 70:30 peat:perlite mixture. Webber III et al [20] concluded that the percentage of seedling establishment for green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris var.…”

Section: The Effect Of the Biochar And Compost MIX On Seed Germinatiomentioning

confidence: 97%

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

Huang

Gu³

2019

Applied Sciences

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The effects of biochar (BC) on seed propagation depend on the type of BC, BC incorporation rate, base substrate, and plant seed species. Limited research tested BC-compost mixes for seed propagation. High percentages (70% or 80%, by volume) of BC with vermicompost (VC) or chicken manure compost (CM) were evaluated to substitute a commercial propagation mix (control) in three experiments. Seeds, including basil, coleus, edamame, marigold, okra, petunia, radish, salvia, tomato, vinca, and zinnia in Experiments 1 and 2 had similar or higher emergence percentages (EPs) and emergence indexes (EIs) in both BC:VC mixes, while celosia, cowpea, corn, and pumpkin had lower EPs or EIs in either 8BC:2VC or 7BC:3VC mixes compared to the control. Seedling fresh weights in both BC:VC mixes were similar to the control except for vinca, pumpkin, marigold, and salvia. The BC:VC mixes had no negative effects on plant dry weights at 7 weeks after transplanting. In Experiment 3, BC:CM mixes suppressed the seed germination or seedling growth of coleus, corn, cowpea, marigold, petunia, pumpkin, radish, salvia, vinca, watermelon, and zinnia due to high pH and CM's high electrical conductivity. Therefore, 7BC:3VC and 8BC:2VC can be used as seed propagation mix, while 7BC:3CM and 8BC:2CM are not recommended. Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 4394 2 of 11 production adds extra value to the bioenergy process [19]. Research has shown the potential of BC to be used in seed propagation substrate for agricultural production [20]. It was shown that coconut shell BC (5%, 10%, 20%, or 40%, by volume) could be mixed with an adapted cornell seed germination mix and did not affect final germination percentages [21]. Additionally, the rate of BC incorporation, base substrate, and the plant species all have effects on the final seed germination and seedling growth. Prasad et al. [22] showed tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seed germination and plant growth were higher in peat mixes with 10% woodchips BC than those in mixes with 50% BC. Similarly, Margenot et al.[23] evaluated the softwood BC substitution for peat in a 70:30 (v/v) peat:perlite mixture on marigold (Tagetes erecta) seed germination and seedling growth. They concluded that mixes with high BC substitution rate (50%, 60%, or 70%, by vol) had lower germinations than the mixes with low BC rates (0, 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40%, by vol) with all substrate pHs adjusted to 5.8. Compared to the 70:30 (v/v) peat:perlite mixture, mixes with 10% or 70% BC led to lower plant height while mixes with 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 60% BC had no effect. Fan et al. [24] also pointed out that the lower germination rate and plant height of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk) were found in substrates with more wheat straw BC, and that the seed germination rate and plant height in substrates with 16% (by volume) BC with 0.8 g L −1 super absorbent polymer were higher than the substrates without super absorbent polymer, indicating that both the BC incorporation rate and base substrate affect seed germination and seedling establishment....

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“…The reason was that the incorporation of superabsorbent polymer increased the porosity and water-holding capacity and also effectively prevented an excessive increase of pH and EC at the high biochar rates [70]. Margenot et al [62] also showed that mixes with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% or 70% softwood biochar and 30% perlite with the rest being peat (by vol.) led to similar seed germination and plant height compared to control (mixes with 30% perlite and 70% peat by vol.).…”

Section: Other Substrate Components Mixed With Biochar In Container Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Biochar on Container Substrate Properties and Growth of Plants—A Review

Huang

Gu²

2019

Horticulturae

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Biochar refers to a processed, carbon-rich material made from biomass. This article provides a brief summary on the effects of biochar on container substrate properties and plant growth. Biochar could be produced through pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal carbonization of various feedstocks. Biochar produced through different production conditions and feedstocks affect its properties and how it performs when incorporated in container substrates. Biochar incorporation affects the physical and chemical properties of container substrates, including bulk density, total porosity, container capacity, nutrient availability, pH, electrical conductivity and cation exchange capacity. Biochar could also affect microbial activities. The effects of biochar incorporation on plant growth in container substrates depend on biochar properties, plant type, percentage of biochar applied and other container substrates components mixed with biochar. A review of the literature on the impact of biochar on container-grown plants without other factors (such as irrigation or fertilization rates) indicated that 77.3% of the studies found that certain percentages of biochar addition in container substrates promoted plant growth, and 50% of the studies revealed that plant growth decreased due to certain percentages of biochar incorporation. Most of the plants tested in these studies were herbaceous plants. More plant species should be tested for a broader assessment of the use of biochar. Toxic substances (heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxin) in biochars used in container substrates has rarely been studied. Caution is needed when selecting feedstocks and setting up biochar production conditions, which might cause toxic contaminants in the biochar products that could have negative effects on plant growth.

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

Cited by 38 publications

References 85 publications

Biochar or Biochar-Compost Amendment to a Peat-Based Substrate Improves Growth of Syngonium podophyllum

Biochar or Biochar-Compost Amendment to a Peat-Based Substrate Improves Growth of Syngonium podophyllum

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

Effects of Biochar on Container Substrate Properties and Growth of Plants—A Review

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