Soilless Container Media Research Articles

Assessment of suitability and suppressiveness of on-farm green compost as a substitute of peat in the production of lavender plants

ABSTRACTSuppression of root rot diseases of ornamental plants is a potential benefit of formulating soilless container media with compost. A green compost (green nursery compost, GNC), obtained by a circular-economy approach from residues of pruning of woody plants and grass clippings during the nursery activities was analysed for its suppressiveness of root rot diseases using lavender. To this end, a bioassay was develop by formulating potting mixes containing GNC with two rates of peat substitution (25% and 50%) and infested with the root rot pathogens Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora nicotianae. Contrasting results were obtained by using both substrates with a significant reduction of root rot by S. sclerotiorum, no effect on the containment of that by P. nicotianae, and an increase of symptoms caused by R. solani. The specific suppressiveness observed may be attributed to the colonisation of compost by specific groups of antagonistic microorganisms. This hypothesis was investigated by the analysis of culturable fungal community, which resulted in the isolation of Trichoderma harzianum and T. atroviride as preponderant fungal species. Trichoderma representative isolates exerted in vitro antagonistic activities against the target pathogens with varying efficiencies indicating the employment of multiple complementary mechanisms, which may have contributed to the observed specific suppressiveness. Both substrates containing GNC resulted suitable for nursery cultivation of lavender, showing a growth performance similar to that obtained with peat-based substrate. Present results indicate that on-farm compost is a suitable component of mixed-peat substrates capable to support plant growth and provide specific disease suppression.

Suppression of Seedling Damping-Off Caused by Pythium ultimum, P. irregulare, and Rhizoctonia solani in Container Media Amended with a Diverse Range of Pacific Northwest Compost Sources

ABSTRACT Suppression of seedling damping-off disease caused by Pythium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani is a potential benefit of formulating soilless container media with compost. Thirty-six compost samples from Pacific Northwest commercial composting facilities were analyzed for a number of physical, chemical, and biological properties, including suppression of damping-off caused by Pythium ultimum, P. irregulare, and R. solani. The samples were produced from diverse feedstocks and composting technol ogies; this was reflected in a large degree of variability in the measured properties. When mixed with sphagnum peat moss and inorganic aggregates, 67% of the compost samples significantly suppressed P. irregulare damping-off of cucumber, 64% suppressed P. ultimum damping-off of cucumber, and 17% suppressed damping-off of cabbage caused by R. solani. Suppression of Pythium damping-off was related to the potential of compost to support microbial activity and a qualitative index of ammonia volatilization. Suppression of Rhizoctonia damping-off was not related to any one compost factor. Currently available compost products potentially could provide commercially acceptable control of damping-off caused by Pythium spp., but it is necessary to fortify composts with microbial antagonists for the control of R. solani.

Compost Tea as a Container Medium Drench for Suppressing Seedling Damping-Off Caused by Pythium ultimum

ABSTRACT Compost tea is being used increasingly in agricultural production to control plant diseases. However, there has been limited investigation relating disease control efficacy to various compost tea production methods, particularly compost tea produced with active aeration and additives to increase microbial population densities in compost tea. Aerated compost tea (ACT) and nonaerated compost tea (NCT), produced with or without additives, was investigated for the suppression of damping-off of cucumber caused by Pythium ultimum. Compost tea was used to drench soilless container medium inoculated with P. ultimum; effect on damping-off ranged from not suppressive to consistently suppressive depending on the method used to produce the tea. The most consistent formulation for damping-off suppression was ACT produced with kelp and humic acid additives. Producing ACT with a molasses-based additive inconsistently suppressed damping-off; evidence suggests that residual nutrients can interfere with disease suppression. Heating or diluting compost tea negated suppression. Across all compost tea samples, there was no significant relationship of bacterial populations, measured as active cells, total cells, or CFU, to disease suppression. However, for all ACT produced without the molasses-based additive, there was a threshold of bacterial population density (6 log(10) active cells per ml, 7.48 log(10) total cells per ml, or 7 log(10) CFU per ml) above which compost teas were suppressive.

The influence of humic acids derived from earthworm-processed organic wastes on plant growth

Some effects of humic acids, formed during the breakdown of organic wastes by earthworms (vermicomposting), on plant growth were evaluated. In the first experiment, humic acids were extracted from pig manure vermicompost using the classic alkali/acid fractionation procedure and mixed with a soilless container medium (Metro-Mix 360), to provide a range of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg of humate per kg of dry weight of container medium, and tomato seedlings were grown in the mixtures. In the second experiment, humates extracted from pig manure and food wastes vermicomposts were mixed with vermiculite to provide a range of 0, 50, 125, 250, 500, 1000, and 4000 mg of humate per kg of dry weight of the container medium, and cucumber seedlings were grown in the mixtures. Both tomato and cucumber seedlings were watered daily with a solution containing all nutrients required to ensure that any differences in growth responses were not nutrient-mediated. The incorporation of both types of vermicompost-derived humic acids, into either type of soilless plant growth media, increased the growth of tomato and cucumber plants significantly, in terms of plant heights, leaf areas, shoot and root dry weights. Plant growth increased with increasing concentrations of humic acids incorporated into the medium up to a certain proportion, but this differed according to the plant species, the source of the vermicompost, and the nature of the container medium. Plant growth tended to be increased by treatments of the plants with 50–500 mg/kg humic acids, but often decreased significantly when the concentrations of humic acids derived in the container medium exceeded 500–1000 mg/kg. These growth responses were most probably due to hormone-like activity of humic acids from the vermicomposts or could have been due to plant growth hormones adsorbed onto the humates.

Phosphate and Potassium Retention and Release during Chrysanthemum Production from Precharged Materials: II. Calcined Clays and Brick Chips

Soilless container media have almost no capacity to retain PO4 or K. The nutrient retention of two calcined clays, attapulgite and arcillite, and brick chips, precharged with PO4 and K, was investigated. These could serve as an alternative slow-release fertilizer when incorporated into a soilless medium as a component of the mix. Sorption curves were developed at 25 °C for attapulgite of two particle sizes (0.8 to 1.6 mm and 1.6 to 3.2 mm), arcillite (1.1 to 3.2 mm), screened pieces of brick (1.0 to 3.6 mm), and a medium of 7 sphagnum peat: 3 perlite (v/v) using solutions of KH2PO4 (P at 0 to 20,000 mg.L-1). Curves indicated that PO4 and K sorption were similar for both particle sizes of attapulgite, so only the larger size [1.6 to 3.2 mm (8 to 16 mesh)] was used in greenhouse studies. Materials were evaluated in greenhouse studies by growing 'Sunny Mandalay' chrysanthemum [Dendranthema ×grandiflora Kitam. (syn. Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)]. The precharged materials were tested at 10%, 20%, and 30% by volume of a peat: perlite root medium. Phosphate, K, and pH were determined on unaltered medium solutions collected throughout the cropping cycle and foliar analyses were determined on tissue collected at midcrop and end of the crop. Data indicated that precharged calcined clays retained and released PO4, and to some degree K, over time. Precharged clays did not provide K at levels which met plant needs during the latter half of the cropping cycle, but it was released and used at appreciable levels during the first month of crop production. Growth of plants receiving PO4 solely from precharged attapulgite and arcillite at 20% of the medium volume was not significantly different from that of a commercial control when the leaching fraction was maintained at 0.2. However, release of PO4 from the brick chips was not enough to match plant demand. Phosphate lost through leaching from the precharged clays was reduced by about two-thirds compared to control plants fertilized with P at 46.5 mg.L-1 from water-soluble fertilizer at each watering.

Growth of Tomato and Coreopsis in Response to Coir Dust in Soilless Media

We examined the efficacy of coir dust (CD)—the short fibers and dust from the mesocarp of coconuts (Cocos nucifera L.)—as an alternative to sphagnum peat (SP) in 50 SP : 50 vermiculite (% volume) medium. Shoot dry mass of coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata L.) or `Red Robin' tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) after 5 weeks' growth in up to 50 CD : 50 vermiculite (% volume) was similar to that in 50 SP : 50 vermiculite and a commercial peat-lite (Pro-Mix BX). These growth responses depended on preplant controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) [Osmocote 17N-3.9P-10.8K at 11.5 lb/yd3 (4 kg·m−3)] and/or a post-transplanting weekly solution fertilization (SF) at 350 ppm (mg·L−1) N from 21N-2.2P-16.6K. Compared to SP, CD had lower bulk density and cation exchange capacity (volume basis) and higher C to N ratio, pH, total porosity, and container capacity. We conclude that CD is an adequate alternative to SP in soilless container media.

Using Precharged Zeolite as a Source of Potassium and Phosphate in a Soilless Container Medium during Potted Chrysanthemum Production

Most soilless container root media have limited ability to retain nutrients. Zeolites are minerals of substantial cation exchange capacity that can be precharged with K, and possibly PO4, and used as a component of soilless media as a slow-release nutrient source. A zeolite clinoptilolite (Cp) was charged with K and PO4 at two concentrations and combined at 20% of the mix with sphagnum peat (60%) and perlite (20%) to evaluate its use as the sole source of these nutrients during production of Dendranthema ×grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura `Sunny Mandalay.' Phosphate, K, Na, and pH were determined on unaltered bulk root medium solutions collected over the course of production, and foliar analyses were determined on tissue collected at the middle and end of the crop. All leachate was collected and analyzed to allow for the creation of K and PO4 budgets. Plants that relied on precharged Cp at the low and high rates to meet their K needs and received a N/P/-K fertilizer had similar dry mass and tissue K concentrations as the control plants that received a complete fertilizer. The use of precharged Cp at the low rate reduced K losses through leaching to 23% of the amount lost from control plants receiving water-soluble fertilizer (WSF). Plants that relied on precharged Cp for their PO4 had a lower dry mass and tissue P levels than those of the complete control treatment. However, PO4 concentrations in the root medium solution were above acceptable levels during the first month of production and should be considered when developing a fertilizer application strategy using Cp precharged with PO4.

Aluminum Amendments Increase Retention of Triple Superphosphate-P in Soilless Container Media

Soilless container medium components such as peatmoss and perlite have almost no capacity to retain PO4-P, and preplant amendments of triple superphosphate (TSP) are readily leached. Al amendments were tested to reduce P losses from these media. Al2(SO4)3 solutions at rates of 320 and 960 μg Al/cc were applied to a 70 peat: 30 perlite medium and dried at 70C. Adsorption isotherms were created at 25C for the Al2(SO4)3-amended media and an unamended control using solutions of Ca(H2PO4)2 at concentrations of P ranging from 0 to 500 μg·ml–1. Isotherms showed that P retention increased as Al concentration increased. In a greenhouse study, Dendranthema ×grandiflorum `Sunny Mandalay' was grown in these media with 100 g P/m3 from TSP incorporated into the mixes before planting. PO4-P, soluble Al, and pH were determined on unaltered medium solutions collected throughout the cropping cycle and foliar analyses were determined on tissue collected at mid- and end-crop. The highest rate of Al was excessive and resulted in low pH and soluble Al levels in the medium solution early and in the cropping cycle, which were detrimental to plant growth. When Al was applied at 320 μg/cc, soluble Al levels in medium solution were not significantly higher than in the unamended control, PO4-P leached from TSP was reduced, and sufficient PO4-P was released throughout the cropping cycle to result in optimal plant growth.

Growth of Two Tropical Foliage Plants Using Coir Dust as a Container Medium Amendment

Growth of Ravenea rivularis Jumelle and Perrier (majesty palm) and `Lady Jane' Anthurium Schott was compared in container media, using as a primary organic component sphagnum peat, sedge peat, or coir dust. Growth index and shoot and root dry weights of majesty palm were significantly higher in the coir than the sedge peat medium. Growth index and shoot dry weight were only marginally higher for the anthurium in the coir vs. sedge peat medium, and root dry weights were comparable. Both crops grew equally well in the coir and the sphagnum peat medium. The sedge peat medium had the most air porosity and the least water-holding capacity of the three media at the initiation of the trials, but at termination showed a reversal of these parameters. The coir medium showed the least change in these parameters over 8 months. High-quality coir dust appears to be an acceptable substitute for sphagnum or sedge peat in soilless container media.

Growth of Two Subtropical Ornamentals Using Coir (Coconut Mesocarp Pith) as a Peat Substitute

Growth of Pentas lanecolata (Forssk.) Deflers `Starburst Pink' and Ixora coccinea L. `Maui' was compared in container media using sphagnum peat, sedge peat, or coir dust as their peat components. Growth index and top and root dry weights of both crops were significantly better in coir-based medium than sedge peat-based medium. Pentas grew equally well in coir- and sphagnum peat-based medium. Growth index and top dry weight of Ixora were significantly lower in the coir-based than the sphagnum peat-based medium, although root dry weights were equal. This difference was not apparent and may have been caused by N drawdown in the coir-based mix. The sedge peat-based medium had the highest air porosity and the lowest water-holding capacity of the three media at the initiation of the trials, but at the termination of the study, it showed a reversal of these characteristics. The coir-based medium showed the least change in these attributes over time. Coir dust seems to be an acceptable substitute for sphagnum or sedge peat in soilless container media, although nutritional regimes may need to be adjusted on a crop-by-crop basis.

823 PB 272 CAN A POROUS CERAMIC SOIL AMENDMENT LIMIT WATER STRESS OF CONTAINER-GROWN IMPATIENS `ACCENT RED'?

Isolite is a ceramic-like, porous soil amendment purported to sustain plant growth under reduced irrigation and increase plant survival during drought. The purpose of this greenhouse experiment was to determine the effect of an Isotite-amended soilless container medium on: (1) growth under reduced irrigation frequency and (2) water stress during drought of Impatiens × hybrids `Accent Red'. On 2 June 1993, seedlings were transplanted into 13.2 liter black plastic pots containing a 4:1 composted pine bark:coarse sand (vol.) medium amended with Isolite CG-1 granules at rates of 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20% (vol.). Study I. Seedlings were. irrigated with 500 ml tap water every two days for two weeks followed by a 4 week schedule of 500 ml tap water every 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days. In general, growth parameters were explained by irrigation treatment effects and did not differ with Isolite rate. Growth indices ranged from +54% to + 143%, while final visual quality grades ranged from 2.4 to 5.0 (5-point scale), shoot dry weight from 8.7 to 30.7 g, root dry weight from 2.0 to 7.9 g, and leaf area from 0.14 to 0.48 m2. Study II. Seedlings were irrigated with 500 ml tap water every 2 days for rive weeks followed by a two week drought. Plant water status parameters were similar at all rates of Isolite. Leaf expansion rates ranged from + 89% to +98%, white a final mid-day xylem pressure potential of -0.4 MPa and a final visual quality grade of 2.0 were uniform across all treatments. Under these conditions, Isolite did not limit water stress of container-grown Impatiens `Accent Red'.

MOVEMENT OF OXYFLUORFEN IN CONTAINER NURSERIES

Little information is available on herbicide movement in soilless container media and subsequent movement in container leachate and container bed runoff. The objective of this study was to evaluate oxyfluorfen movement in irrigation water following application to container grown nursery crops in a commercial nursery. Oxyfluorfen levels in the container bed runoff were 9 to 27 times higher than those in container leachate during the 3 irrigations following herbicide application. Maximum oxyfluorfen level in the container leachate was 8.3 ppb following the first irrigation but declined to 2.0 ppb by the 12th irrigation. The oxyfluorfen level was still about 2.0 ppb following the 75th irrigation. Oxyfluorfen in the container bed runoff peaked at 99 ppb following the 3rd irrigation before declining to 67 ppb following the 6th irrigation.

LEACHING OF SIX PHOSPHATE SOURCES FROM A PINE BARK CONTAINER MEDIUM

Research reports documenting phosphorus leaching from soilless container media has changed commercial nursery phosphorus fertilizing practices. However, rhododendron growers are concerned that phosphorus levels are adequate as plants begin setting flower buds in July and August. Medium solution of 10 to 15 ppm P are recommended. Five replicated leachate samples were collected from 6 phosphate sources for 11 weeks following surface application to 2 container grown rhododendron cultivars. Each fertilizer source wax blended to an analysis of 14.0N-11.2P-5.0K except a 14.0N-0P-5.0K control. Phosphate sources included Diammonium Phosphate, Triple superphosphate, Sulfur coated Diammonium Phosphate, Sulfur coated triple superphosphate, and a commercial rhododendron sulfur coated fertilizer. With the exception of control, all treatment leachate phosphorus levels ranged from 180 to 145 ppm two days and 85 to 75 ppm one week after application. All sources ranged from 45 to 10 ppm weeks 2-5 and were lower than 10 ppm weeks 7-11. Leachate levels of the control were below 10 ppm at all sample times. Bud set and foliar P levels were different among phosphate treatments, but growth index measurements were not significant.

Phosphorus and Sulfur Leaching from an Incubated Superphosphateamended Soilless Container Medium

Abstract A 2 pine bark : 1 moss peat: 1 sand (by volume) medium (11% volumetric, 20% gravimetric moisture) amended with 4.2 kg m −3 of dolomitic limestone and 3 kg m−3 of 32P-, 35S-superphosphate (8.7% P, 11.7% S) was incubated (25°C) for either 0, 15, or 30 days. Columns (4 × 15 cm) of the medium for each incubation time received 48 ml of deionized water (pH 5.5) in 3 hr on day 1 and 16 ml in 1 hr on days 2-21. Forty-six and 21% of 32P and 35S, respectively, leached on day 1 when the medium was not incubated. Thirty-one percent and 28% of the 32P and 14% and 13% of the 35S leached on day 1 if the medium had been incubated 15 or 30 days, respectively. Eighty-two percent of the 32P and 66% of the 35S amendment leached from the unincubated medium during the 3 week experimental period. A similar leaching experiment, but with superphosphate in absorbent cotton instead of the soilless medium, indicates superphosphate dissolves readily.