Woody Ornamental Plant Response to Fertilization and Using of Organic Residues as a Partial Constituent of Substrate Mixtures

Abstract

Large spaces are required to eliminate waste by burying and this method is very costly. The horticulture use of waste seems to be one of the best optional methods of disposal. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of fresh bio-filters (FBF), composted sewage sludges (CSS), and composted de-inked sludges (CDS) on growth of three woody ornamental species (Spiraea japonica `Little Princess', Spiraea nipponica `Snowmound', and Physocarpus opulifolius `Nanus') produced in containers. Three fertilization regimes (N at 200, 400, and 600 mg·L–1 in the form of soluble fertilizer 20–20–20) were applied weekly onto containers during 3.5 months. Plants were potted in 10 substrates. The control substrate contained 4 peatmoss: 5 composted conifer bark: 1 fine crushed gravel (by volume). In the other nine substrates, peatmoss was partially substituted by one of the three organic residues (10%, 20%, or 30% of FBF, CSS, or CDS). The experimental design was a split-split-plot with four replicates and two samples by treatment. Chemical analysis of the organic residues proved that the fertilization value of CSS was greater than the other residues and heavy metals are below the undesirable limits for the three residues. The amount of available major mineral elements in these residues is too low to satisfy the mineral nutrient needs of plants. In addition, there is a linear effect of the fertilization on plant growth. The CDS required a high dose of the fertilizer (600 mg·L–1) which may be due to the immobilization of N. The 10% proportion of FBF and CDS, combined with the other materials, was the most adequate proportion and did not reduce the growth of plants (height, aerial, and root dry matter). However, CSS can be used with a high proportion (20%) especially for Spiraea japonica `Little Princess'.