Secondary Macro- and Microelements in Sphagnum Peat-based Substrates Amended with Parboiled Fresh Rice Hulls or Perlite

Abstract

Substrates were formulated by blending parboiled fresh rice (Oryza sativa) hulls (PBH) or perlite with sphagnum peat (peat) to produce root substrates (substrates) that contained 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or 60% (by volume) PBH or perlite with the remainder being peat. After 0, 4, or 8 weeks in a greenhouse environment, samples were taken and calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) were determined. At all sampling times, substrates containing PBH had higher Ca concentrations than perlite-containing substrates. At all sampling times, Ca concentration decreased as the amount of perlite or PBH was increased, but the Ca concentration decreased at a higher rate in perlite-containing substrates than in PBH-containing substrates. After 0 weeks, perlite-containing substrates had higher Mg concentrations than equivalent PBH-containing substrates, but the opposite was true after 4 weeks. After 8 weeks, perlite- and PBH-containing substrates had similar concentrations of Mg. At all times, Mg concentration decreased as the amount of perlite or PBH was increased. Perlite substrates had higher concentrations of Fe than equivalent PBH substrates, and as the amount of perlite or PBH was increased, the amount of Fe decreased. PBH-containing substrates had higher concentrations of Mn than equivalent perlite-containing substrates, and as the amount of PBH was increased, the amount of Mn increased. Cu concentrations were significantly affected by sampling time, but at all sampling times, PBH-containing substrates had similar or higher Cu concentrations than equivalent perlite-containing substrates. Perlite substrates had higher concentrations of Zn than equivalent PBH substrates, and as the amount of perlite was increased, the amount of Zn increased. S and B were not significantly affected by substrate component or time. Secondary macro- and microelement concentrations of all substrates were within recommended levels for greenhouse crops except for Mn. Mn concentrations were within recommended ranges at up to 50% PBH. In most cases, PBH would be used at levels lower than 50%, but in cases where more than 50% PBH were used in the substrate, proper pH management may be important to prevent excessive Mn availability.