Effect of organic media on growth and development of patiola F1 horned violet (Viola cornuta L.)

Dorota Janicka,Agnieszka Dobrowolska

doi:10.5586/aa.2013.011

Abstract

The specificity of horticultural production makes it possible to use substrates based on compost from municipal and industrial waste, particularly in the cultivation of ornamental plants. Experiments were conducted in the years 2005–2007. Six horned violet cultivars (<em>Viola cornuta </em>L.) from Patiola F1 group and four substrates were used in them: I – sphagnum peat; II – substrate from peat and compost 1 (1:1 v/v); III – substrate from peat and compost 2 (1:1 v/v); IV – coconut fibre. Compost 1 was prepared using municipal sewage sludge (35%), potato pulp (35%) and straw (30%). Compost 2 was prepared using municipal sewage sludge (35%), potato pulp (35%) and sawdust (30%). Composts after 10 months of composting were used in the research. The addition of municipal sewage sludge composts did not cause observable adverse changes in plants grown. Composts made from municipal sewage sludge are rich in nutrients. Plants that are grown in substrates with the addition of composts and in a peat substrate grow and develop properly without the necessity of introducing top dressing.

Highlights

Pansies and later horned violet have been among the most popular bedding and pot plants that are eagerly bought (Startek et al 2006; Zawadzińska and Janicka, 2007)
The specificity of horticultural production makes it possible to use substrates based on compost from municipal and industrial waste, in the cultivation of ornamental plants
Six horned violet cultivars (Viola cornuta L.) from Patiola F1 group and four substrates were used in them: I – sphagnum peat; II – substrate from peat and compost 1 (1:1 v/v); III – substrate from peat and compost 2 (1:1 v/v); IV – coconut fibre

Summary

Introduction

Pansies and later horned violet have been among the most popular bedding and pot plants that are eagerly bought (Startek et al 2006; Zawadzińska and Janicka , 2007). Nature-related management of sewage sludge is the simplest and cheapest way of disposing of this waste material. It makes it possible to re-introduce nutrients and organic matter to the natural cycle (Siuta and Wasiak , 2001). It is possible to obtain a substrate appropriate for plant cultivation from municipal sewage sludges after they are composted (Krzywy et al 2000 a, b) During this process, as a result of stabilisation and hygienisation, the heavy metal content and the number of pathogenic microorganisms are reduced and the fertilising ingredients they contain are transformed, which results in an increase in the number of nutrients assimilable by plants (Krzywy et al 1999; Zawadzińska and Janicka , 2007). The process of composting municipal sewage sludge with the addition of various structure-forming materials considerably lowers the quantity of undesirable substances in the environment, increases the aeration of the mass, makes it easier to obtain the optimal moisture of the composted mass at a level of 50–60%, and it results in enriching the compost mass with nutrients for plants and in reducing the concentration

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