The effect of biobased plastic resins containing chicken feather fibers on the growth and flowering of Begonia boliviensis

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and flowering of Begonia boliviensis A. DC. 'Bonfire' when grown in the growing medium mixed with pellets from biobased plastic resins containing chicken feather fibers, and analyze macro-and micro-elements in soil and leaf tissues during different developmental stages of begonia. Growth, flowering, and foliar analysis of plants grown in 10 cm pots containing 95 grams medium mixed with 6 grams each of pellet 29 (P 29), 32 (P 32), 37 (P 37), or 40 (P 40), 3 grams of Na (P NaS), or 9 grams of 45 (P 45) were similar to the control plants. Extra nitrogen was available from P 32 and P 37 based on the growing medium and foliar analysis of plants grown in P 32 (P 32 plant) and P 37 plant during the first 59 days after planting (DAP). Slow growth, low flowering percentage, or even the death of B. boliviensis 'Bonefire' grown in P NaS medium is attributed to high pH and high sulfur concentration. Based on the pH, soluble salts level, and the concentrations of macro-and micro-elements in the medium and leaves, P 45 pellet is the suitable source, if nitrogen is supplied constantly to the optimum level. Pellets prepared following mixing > 30 feather fibers without using glycerol should be further tested.Additional key words: availability of nitrogen, chicken feather pots, foliar analysis, growing medium Hort. Environ. Biotechnol. 53(1):81-91. 2012.

Growth, Flowering, and Nutrient Composition of Salvia Grown in Peat Moss Media Containing Pellets Processed with Poultry Feather Fibers at Different Mixing Ratios

“…Although flowering of salvia grown in individual growing medium P45-2 was not different from the flowering of plants in other media, a lower number of florets in individual growing medium P45-2 or P45-1 suggest that these two pellets were not suitable when used alone without mixing with PM to use as a growing medium. When P45, which is similar to the P45-1 used in this study, were mixed with commercial soilless growing medium and supplemented with a slow-release fertilizer, was reported to be suitable for growing floral crops such as Begonia 'Bonfire' (Roh et al, 2012b), Lilium hybrids (Roh, 2013), and Platycodon hybrid (Kim et al, 2017). However, the length of inflorescence, plant height, number of leaves, and other parameters observed in this study are inhibited, indicating that P45-1 and P45-2 are definitely not suitable to use alone as growing media.…”

“…DC. 'Bonfire' and Lilium hybrids (Roh et al, 2012b;Roh and Huda, 2014). Additional supplement of a slow release fertilizer is necessary because P45 is low in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium (Roh et al, 2012b).…”

“…'Bonfire' and Lilium hybrids (Roh et al, 2012b;Roh and Huda, 2014). Additional supplement of a slow release fertilizer is necessary because P45 is low in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium (Roh et al, 2012b). Other types of pellets containing 20% glycerol and 50% feather keratin fibers are not recommended due to the high soluble salt and nitrogen concentrations (Roh et al, 2012a, b;Roh, 2013).…”

“…Nitrogen concentration in leaves of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) grown in a container containing feather fibers is reported to be higher than that grown in plastic pot or peat pots (Evans and Hensley, 2004). However, nitrogen fertilizer is needed at later stages for growth and development in Begonia 'Bornfire' (Roh et al, 2012b). Other types of pellets containing 20% glycerol and 50% feather keratin fibers are not recommended due to their high soluble salts and nitrogen concentrations (Roh et al, 2012a, b;Roh, 2013).…”

Quantifying the Effects of Crop-cultural Practices on Growth and Development of Herbaceous Annuals and Perennials in Novel Bioplastic Biocontainers

“…When raw materials were mixed into growing media at lower concentrations, plant growth and flowering were similar to untreated plants, but both decreased as concentrations of poultry feather pellet concentrations increased (Roh et al, 2012b).…”