Nitrogen Supplemented Cocopeat-Based Organic Wastes as Potting Media Mixtures for the Growth and Flowering of Chrysanthemum

Abstract

ABSTRACTGrowth and flowering characteristics of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) was evaluated in organic wastes comprising burnt rice husk ash (RHA) and composted sewage sludge (SS) amended with differential proportions of soil:cocopeat (CP) in 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% each on dry weight volume basis. The media mixtures were supplemented with varying nitrogen (N) levels (0, 2, 4, and 6 g N per pot). Utilizing CP as an amendment with the organic media considerably improved the physical as well as chemical properties of the potting media that was found desirable for the root zone environment in a finite volume of a pot. Chrysanthemum plants produced in increasing proportions of CP were observed to be well anchored and exhibited excellent quality of flowers. Utilizing 50% CP and 25% soil as a growing media amendment in SS (25%) proved to be the best media mixture for ideal growth and performance of potted chrysanthemum. Better aggregate stability provided by the SS and increased potassium (K) content in CP coupled with improved physical root zone environment provide a suitable reason to utilize CP as an amendment in potting media for an ideal display of pot mums.