Evaluation of Growth Parameters of Anthurium andreanum Plants Grown in Mixes with Municipal Solid Waste Compost

Abstract

In Puerto Rico, the ornamental crop production is one of the most important agricultural enterprises. The growing media most used to grow ornamentals contains peat moss which is very expensive and everyday results less available. There is a need to conduct studies to evaluate alternate organic components. In Puerto Rico, the Municipal solid waste compost (MSW) has been considered as a possible component for a growing mix to grow plants. Results from chemical properties studies of the MSW compost shows that it is a source of nutrients for plants. A raw MSW is a contaminat to the environment, but once is composted does not represent a hazard to humans or environment. The objective of this research was to evaluate the growth responses of Anthurium plants grown in mixes containing different proportions of MSW with a commercial type of mix containing peat moss. Plant of Rosa cultivar Anthura Co. were grown under six treatments containing proportions of MSW: Peatlite mix (0:100,15:85,25:75,50:50,75:25, and 100:0). Data of growth parameters such as number of leaves, leaf area index, clorophyll content, number of flowers, adn fresh and dry weight was gathered and analyzed. Results did show not significant differences in all treatments on number of leaves and leaves area. Clorophyll content was similar on treatment 0:100,15:85 and 25:75 of MSW: Peatlite mix. Fresh and dry weight (g) were lower in all treatments except on 0:100, which got the highest weight. These results shown that MSW could be considered to be a component of a soiless mix to grow ornamentals in order to reduce cost production and environmental impact.