Vermicompost and biochar as substitutes of growing media in ornamental-plant production

Álvarez, J. M.; Pasian, C.C.; Lal, R.; Lapez, R.; Ferna¡ndez, M.

doi:10.37855/jah.2017.v19i03.37

Cited by 34 publications

(23 citation statements)

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“…Zulfiqar et al [1] reported that 10% BC mixed with 10% compost significantly increased the growth of Dracaena deremensis relative to standard peat-perlite-based growing media due to improved chemical properties of the substrate. Alvarez et al [26] also reported enhanced shoot dry weight in geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) and petunia (Petunia hybrida) as a result of some combinations of BC with vermicompost.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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: 95%

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

2019

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“…Moreover, biochar can alleviate salinity stress in crops with important environmental, agriculture, and economic benefit [9]. Biochar has demonstrated the potential for inclusion in growing media, together with different materials such as peat [3,10], compost [8,11], coir [3] and vermicompost [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar Type, Ratio, and Nutrient Levels in Growing Media Affects Seedling Production and Plant Performance

et al. 2020

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Biochar can be used as an alternative component in growing media, positively affecting plant growth/yield, but also media properties. In the present study, two commercial grade biochars (BFW-forest wood; and BTS-fresh wood screening), mainly wood-based materials, were used at 7.5% and 15% (v/v), adding nutrient in two levels (100% and 150% standard fertilizer level-Fert). Biochar affected growing media properties, with increases on pH and changes on the nutrient content levels. Biochar BFW enhanced the emergence of seeds in comparison to the control. Increased fertilizer levels benefited plant yield in BFW and BTS at 7.5%, but not at 15%. Leaf stomatal conductance was reduced at 150% fertilized biochars (BFW + Fert and BTS + Fert) at 7.5%, while total chlorophylls increased at BTS + Fert at 7.5% and 15%. The addition of biochars decreased the antioxidant activity in the plant. Lipid peroxidation in lettuce was increased in most cases with the presence of biochars (BFW, BTS) and 150% fertilization, activating antioxidant (superoxide oxidase and peroxidase) enzymatic metabolisms. The addition of Biochars in the growing media increased the content of nutrients in seedlings, as plants could absorb more available nutrients. Biochar of beech, spruce, and pine species (BFW) at 7.5% was more promising for substituting peat to produce lettuce seedlings. However, examining different species (tomato, leek, impatiens, and geranium) with BFW at 7.5%, the results were not common, and each species needs to be evaluated further.

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“…A raft of publications has described biochar as a partial peat replacement over last three years [17][18][19][20][21], with several different organic materials playing an important role in decreasing the C footprint of the horticultural industry [15]. Peat is the principal material for container growing media in Europe, and peat production in Europe is more than 40 million m 3 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Biochar has unique chemical properties. It can reduce leaching of nutrients, including nitrate [28] and P; act as a bio stimulant, especially affecting the roots and suppressing root disease [10,29,30]; reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) from growing media when ebb and flood irrigation is practiced, as anoxic conditions occur for short periods; and sequester C at the end of life of growing media, when it ultimately ends in soil [17]. At present, the costs of biochars are prohibitive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant Nutrient Availability and pH of Biochars and Their Fractions, with the Possible Use as a Component in a Growing Media

et al. 2019

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Biochar has the potential to be used as a growing media component, and therefore plays a role in reducing peat usage. It has unique properties apart from the ability to sequester carbon. Here we investigated the nutrient contents of four commercial biochars and their fractions. The biochars’ feedstock was wood waste, except for one with paper fibres and husk. The fine or finer fractions in wood waste biochars contained higher levels of nutrients that were available to plants. The coarse fraction of the biochar derived from husk and paper fibre feedstock had a higher level of total N, P and K in contrast to the other three biochars. The pH of the finer fraction (pH of 9.08) was also higher compared with coarse fraction (pH of 8.71). It is important that when biochar a is used as a component of a peat based growing media, particle size information should be provided, as fractions from the same biochar can have different levels of total extractable nutrients and pH levels. If biochar is used to replace or reduce lime application rates of a peat-biochar mixtures, one must take into account the levels of total and extractable Ca and Mg levels, as these can vary. The variation of these elements was not only between biochars’ feedstocks, even at similar pH-values, but within different fractions in the same biochar. We concluded that biochars should be characterized from the feedstock as well as from the particle size aspect, as it could have a profound effect on nutrient availability of Ca and Mg. This could lead to nutrient imbalances in cultivating plants on substrate mixtures. In addition to nutrient ratios, the suitable pH-level for a given grown species should be adjusted.

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Vermicompost and biochar as substitutes of growing media in ornamental-plant production

Cited by 34 publications

References 0 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

Biochar Type, Ratio, and Nutrient Levels in Growing Media Affects Seedling Production and Plant Performance

Plant Nutrient Availability and pH of Biochars and Their Fractions, with the Possible Use as a Component in a Growing Media

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