Abstract
The use of peat moss (PM) as a growing media is decreasing due to high costs and environmental considerations. Therefore, diverse waste products are being used as organic amendments in certain soils before afforestation. The main objective of this work was to identify and evaluate possible substrate alternatives or amendments to peat moss. This study involves the physical and chemical characterization and growth test of lignocellulosic substrate (waste paper (WP), oakwood sawdust, hinoki wood sawdust and rice hull) in order to evaluate their use as components of growing media. Lignocellulosic substrates showed adequate physical and chemical properties compared to peat moss for their use as growing media. The mixtures growing media were prepared using different proportions as substrate to grow Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. glabra) in a greenhouse. Different lignocellulosic substrates were compared with a commercially available substrate. The highest values for seed germination were obtained for 30% peat moss + 10% perlite + 60% waste paper substrate. The stem height and leaf area of the WP (containing 30% peat moss, 10% perlite and 60% waste paper) was higher than that of PM. Utilization of waste paper can be considered as an alternative media component to substitute the widely using expensive peat moss. Keywords: Growing media, waste paper, waste sawdust, rice hull, lignocellulosic substrate African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(14), 1541-1549
Highlights
Today, various organic substrate and inorganic substrate are used as growth media
The four lignocellulosic substrates used as growing media were tested (Peat moss was a commercial growing media used as the control)
This work shows that the utilization of lignocellulosic substrate peat moss, 10% perlite and 60% waste paper)
Summary
Various organic substrate and inorganic substrate are used as growth media. Organic materials such as peat moss or pine bark and inorganic materials such as sand, calcined clay, perlite and vermiculite are used to formulate growth media to produce woody landscape plants in containers. Most of them are combined with various materials, such as a mixture of peat moss and pine bark, or a mixture of peat moss and pine bark with mineral materials like perlite or vermiculite. Stone wool and other materials like perlite, pumice, polyortanphome, zeolite, coco peat and sawdust are used as growth media in soilless culture (Ghehsarehet al., 2011, Tehranifaret al., 2012). The selection of media components in which grown plants can be successfully grown is usually based on freedom from soil pests and harmful chemicals, cost, shipping weight and local availability.
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