Steam Treated Sawdust as Soilless Growing Media for Germination and Growth of Horticulture Plant

Abstract

The major substrates used in soilless growing media are peat moss and perlite, where peat moss is a limited and expensive natural resource. Determination of appropriate substrates based on technical and economic feasibility is the vital aspect of research and the key to success in any soilless production system. This research work was performed to evaluate different low-cost and sustainable alternative substrate as soilless growing media for horticulture plant. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of sawdust species and steam treatment, for physico-chemical properties and growth of horticultural plant. This study involves the physical and chemical characterization and growth test of four substrate (pine sawdust, oak sawdust, steamed pine sawdust and steamed oak sawdust) in order to evaluate their use as components of growing media. Steamed oak sawdust (121°C, 30 min) showed adequate physical and chemical properties compared to peat moss for their use as growing media. The growing media were prepared using different mixture proportion to grow Brassica campestris L., Festuca arundinacea and Lespedeza cyrtobotrya Miq. The highest germination, stem length and leaf area of Brassica campestris L., Festuca arundinacea and Lespedeza cyrtobotrya were observed in 30 minute steamed oak sawdust mixture growing media. The steam treatment condition of sawdust used in the growing media significantly positive affected the germination, the stem length and the leaf area.