Abstract
Ornamental industry demanding large amounts of container substrate which is giving opportunity to recycle agricultural and urban organic waste materials. The study presents the physical and physicochemical characterisation of hazelnut husk substrates supplemented with biosolid in different proportions (0, 25, 50 and 75%), comparing to the standard peat substrate. In addition, plants were planted into 10 L pots filled with the prepared substrates and cultivated in a glasshouse. On the basis of the research results, it was concluded that physical and physico-chemical properties of hazelnut husk substrates were in the range of optimum, except for the higher dose of biosolid (75%). Furthermore, it was also observed that biosolid mixture with hazelnut husk can be used in the cultivation of ornamental palm tree. The main factor affecting plant growth was higher substrate nitrogen value in higher dose of biosolid application, which is positively correlated with leaf N and plant dry weight. Based on substrate characteristics and plant growth, hazelnut husk and municipal biosolid can be recycle in the ornamental industry as a container substrate.
Highlights
Peat and natural soil have been widely used as growing media constituents for the production of ornamental potted plants in Turkey
In an effort to recycle and reclaim solid wastes, various organic residues generated by agriculture, livestock farming, forestry, industries and city centres have been successfully used as container media for ornamental plant production (Guerin et al, 2001)
Bulk and particle density were slightly higher in commercial peat than in hazelnut husk because of the perlite in peat
Summary
Peat and natural soil have been widely used as growing media constituents for the production of ornamental potted plants in Turkey. Predominant potting components in most nurseries are natural sandy soil and animal manure. Rapid decomposition of animal manure in potting mix causes soil compaction and poor plant growth and this decreases the commercial value of the ornamental plants. Some alternative materials that are being investigated are peat moss, expanded perlite and pumice. The cost of high quality peat for horticultural use together with the declining availability of peat in the near future makes it necessary to look for alternative materials. In an effort to recycle and reclaim solid wastes, various organic residues generated by agriculture, livestock farming, forestry, industries and city centres have been successfully used as container media for ornamental plant production (Guerin et al, 2001)
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