Abstract
A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the growth and development of poinsettia ‘Prestige Red’ (Euphorbia pulcherrima) grown in a commercial peat-based potting mix (Sunshine Mix #1) amended with biochar at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, or 100% (by volume) at four different fertigation regimes: F1: 100 to 200 mg·L−1 nitrogen (N), F2: 200 to 300 mg·L−1 N (control), F3: 300 to 400 mg·L−1 N, or F4: 400 to 500 mg·L−1 N. The experiment was a two-factor factorial design with 10 replications for each combination of biochar by fertigation. As the percentage of biochar increased, root substrate pore space and bulk density increased, while container capacity decreased. Root rot and red bract necrosis only occurred in F4 combined with 100% biochar. Plants grown in 40% biochar had a similar growth and development to those in 0% biochar. Up to 80% biochar, plants exhibited no significant change, except in terms of dry weight, which decreased at higher biochar percentages (60% and 80%). In summary, at a fertigation rate of 100 mg·L−1 N to 400 mg·L−1 N, up to 80% biochar could be used as an amendment to peat-based root substrate with acceptable growth reduction and no changes in quality.
Highlights
The number of potted poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) sold in 2015 was over thirty million, ranking no. 1 in number sold, with a wholesale value of $140 million, ranking no. 2 in value of potted flowering plants in the U.S [1]
These results suggest that amending peat-based root substrates with biochar could provide better root substrate physical properties and higher nutrient retention for plant growth than commercial peat-based substrate, though the suitable percentage of biochar may depend on plant species and the biochar type
Mix #1) amended with up to 80% biochar could be used in poinsettia greenhouse production
Summary
The number of potted poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) sold in 2015 was over thirty million, ranking no. 1 in number sold, with a wholesale value of $140 million, ranking no. 2 in value of potted flowering plants in the U.S [1]. The number of potted poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) sold in 2015 was over thirty million, ranking no. 1 in number sold, with a wholesale value of $140 million, ranking no. The majority of greenhouse poinsettia production uses peat-based root substrate [3]. Peatmoss-based root substrate is a dependable medium in the greenhouse industry [4]. Natural environments, and the large demand for peatmoss in the horticultural industry [5,6,7]. In Europe, environmental, scientific, and governmental agencies have proposed to limit the use and extraction of peatmoss [8]. Many scientists are interested in finding less expensive, renewable, and locally available substitutes to reduce the use of peatmoss in the horticultural industry [9,10]
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