Geocomposite use in container nursery production of selected ornamental shrubs

Abstract

Geocomposite, which is an innovative technology of superabsorbent material (hydrogels) occurring in a form of openwork discs closed in black agrotextile, reduces the negative impact of soil/substrate on the absorption capacity of hydrogel with simultaneous reduction of the negative impact of the hydrogel on the physical soil/substrate parameters. The aim of this research was to assess the influence of geocomposite use with different fertilizers and their doses (3 g Osmocote Plus 3-4M, 1.5 g Osmocote Plus 3-4M, 3×1 g YaraMila Complex) on biomass production of Prunus pumila var. depressa (Pursh) Bean and Diervilla lonicera Mill. cultivated in containers in an unheated foil tunnel. Fresh and dry biomass of both species was higher with the use of geocomposite, which did not affect root/shoot ratios for either taxa. For both species, fresh and dry shoots weight was the highest with 3 g Osmocote. The highest fresh and dry root weights and root/shoot ratios of Prunus was noted in 1.5 g Osmocote, while the fertilization had no effect on total weight of this plant. Diervilla obtained the highest fresh and dry root and total weight with 3 g Osmocote. The highest fresh and dry root/shoot ratio was noted in 1.5 g Osmocote. For both species, the highest fresh and dry biomasses were achieved by the use of geocomposite in combination with 3 g Osmocote fertilizer. The lowest fresh and dry shoot weights were obtained by both species with 1.5 g Osmocote fertilization without the use of geocomposite. The lowest fresh and dry root/shoot ratios occurred in treatments using 3 g of Osmocote without geocomposite application. The results of this research show that geocomposite use in container nursery production of ornamental shrubs had a positive influence on shoot and root growth.