Abstract
Biochar (BC) has the potential as a peat moss alternative for container plant growth. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of mixed hardwood BC, compost types, mycorrhizae, and fertigation on container-grown tomato and pepper growth. In experiment 1 (Exp1), BC at 50%, 70%, and 90% (vol.) were mixed with 5% vermicompost (VC) with the rest being a commercial peat moss-based substrate (CS) and fertigated at 200 or 300 mg L−1 N. In experiment 2 (Exp2), 80% BC was mixed with chicken manure compost (CM; 5% or 10%) and CS and fertigated at 100 or 200 mg L−1 N. In experiment 3 (Exp3), 90% BC was blended with CS and fertigated at 200 or 300 mg L−1 N. Mixes in all the three experiments were added with or without mycorrhizae. Results showed that, compared with CS, in Exp1 tomato and pepper plants grown in BC-VC mixes had similar soil-plant analyses development (SPAD), growth index (GI), and total dry weight (TDW); in Exp2 and Exp3, plants in BC mixes (80% or 90%) had lower GI and TDW. In conclusion, BC (≤70%) amended with VC mixes could be used for container tomato and pepper production without negatively affecting plant growth, while BC (80%, 90%) mixes could have some negative impacts on plant growth.
Highlights
Questions have been raised on peat moss, the most commonly used greenhouse medium with its ideal properties for plant growth, due to environmental impacts and economic concerns [1,2,3]
MC × F interaction was only significant for total dry weight (TDW) in tomato and soil-plant analyses development (SPAD) in pepper
Significant interactions for Mix × MC were observed in growth index (GI) 8, fruit dry weight (FDW), and TDW in tomato, and SPAD and TDW in pepper
Summary
Questions have been raised on peat moss, the most commonly used greenhouse medium with its ideal properties for plant growth, due to environmental impacts and economic concerns [1,2,3]. The price of peat moss has been rising, which causes economic concerns and could hinder growers’ profits, especially when transportation costs are considered [4]. Attention has shifted to biochar (BC) as a peat moss alternative due to its numerous advantages [3,5]. BC can be generated faster and is not a limited resource like peat moss, presenting great environmental potential as a peat moss alternative. The average BC price is $78.57 m−3, less than half the price of peat moss ($173.93 m−3), presenting a great economic advantage as a peat moss alternative [20,21]. Different waste biomass and waste heat utilized during BC production process could bring significant savings for the overall economy [22]
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