Abstract
Sphagnum peat moss has been a primary component of soilless potting media for decades; however, concerns over the sustainability of harvesting peat have fostered a search for renewable media components. Anaerobically digested dairy fiber (ADDF), a by-product of methane production, shows promise as an alternative to peat. Herbaceous nursery crops including “Jack Frost” brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla I.M. Johnst), “Moonbeam” coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata L.), “Whoops-a-Daisy” Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum × superbum Bergmans ex J.W. Ingram), “Kobold Original” liatris (Liatris spicata (L.) Willd.) and “David” phlox (Phlox paniculata L.) were grown in media containing bark-peat-perlite or bark-ADDF-perlite in a 4:2:1 proportion. All leachate was collected from pots to evaluate cumulative nitrogen and phosphate leaching. Brunnera grew to a similar size and quality in both mixes, although brunnera in the bark-ADDF-perlite mix had slightly chlorotic leaf margins. Coreopsis grew to a similar size and quality in both mixes but was slightly etiolated and chlorotic in bark-ADDF-perlite. Shasta daisy grown in bark-ADDF-perlite were larger than those grown in bark-peat-perlite. Both mixes produced similar growth and quality liatris and phlox. More ammonium, nitrate and phosphate were recovered from leachate from bark-ADDF-perlite than from bark-ADDF-perlite.
Highlights
Peat has been one of the principal components of potting media for decades due to physiochemical propertiesHow to cite this paper: Lamont, J.R. and Elliott, G.C. (2016) Anaerobically Digested Dairy Fiber in Soilless Potting Media for Herbaceous Perennials
Of all plant growth parameters measured, the only significant differences between plants grown in bark-peatperlite and bark-Anaerobically digested dairy fiber (ADDF)-perlite were greater mean dry weights in Shasta daisy grown in the bark-ADDF-perlite mix (Table 1)
There was no difference in mean shoot dry weight between coreopsis grown in either mix (Table 1) coreopsis grown in bark-ADDF-perlite was slightly chlorotic and etiolated compared to those grown in bark-peat-perlite (Figure 1(b))
Summary
Peat has been one of the principal components of potting media for decades due to physiochemical propertiesHow to cite this paper: Lamont, J.R. and Elliott, G.C. (2016) Anaerobically Digested Dairy Fiber in Soilless Potting Media for Herbaceous Perennials. Peat has been one of the principal components of potting media for decades due to physiochemical properties. How to cite this paper: Lamont, J.R. and Elliott, G.C. (2016) Anaerobically Digested Dairy Fiber in Soilless Potting Media for Herbaceous Perennials. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 7, 288-295. C. Elliott that are excellent for plant growth and adaptable to a wide range of management practices [1]. Despite the usefulness of peat, there are important environmental concerns related to its harvest. Peatlands are fragile ecosystems that can be severely, and perhaps permanently, damaged by peat harvesting [2]. Harvesting peat releases carbon sequestered in peatlands, contributing to climate change [3]
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