scholarly journals A Comparative Evaluation of the Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Composted Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifoliaL.) with Pine Bark Growing Media in Tobacco (Nicotiana tabucumL.) Seedling Production

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnson Masaka ◽  
Noel Chimwanda ◽  
Ignatius Chagonda ◽  
Misheck Chandiposha
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Seedling Production ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Tea Tree ◽  
Normal Seedling ◽  
The Media ◽  
Increasing Demand

The search for suitable organic growing media substitutes for pine bark based media combinations has been prompted by concerns over high costs and lack of availability to smallholder farmers coupled with increasing demand for soilless media in Zimbabwe. A trial was conducted for 12 weeks to investigate the suitability of tea tree compost-based substrates for tobacco seedling production as a substitute of the traditional pine bark growing media. The use of composted tea tree growing media in float trays significantly (p<0.05) increases the bulk density of the media by 23–59% when compared with pine bark media. The cation exchange capacity of the native pine bark growing media was 14 to 95% lower than that for the composted tea tree media. The use of the composted tea as media for tobacco seedling nursery reduced seed germination by 10–37%, seedling stem height by 4–34%, and seedling stem girth by 6–175%. While the nutrient holding and supplying potential of the growing media in seedling production is important for normal seedling growth, its effect on seedling growth vigor is less important than that exerted by the presence of suitable physical conditions in the media.

scholarly journals Toxic Effects of Manure, Alfalfa, and Ammonia on Emergence and Growth of Cucumber Seedlings

HortScience ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 380-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Ells ◽  
Ann E. MeSay ◽  
Stephen M. Workman
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Ammonium Hydroxide ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Sand Soil ◽  
Soil Medium ◽  
Rapid Decomposition ◽  
Alfalfa Hay ◽  
Soil Media ◽  
The Media

Chopped alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), alfalfa hay extract, and ammonium hydroxide produced free ammonia in media and inhibited both germination and seedling growth of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Toxic levels of ammonia were not produced by the quantities of manure added to the media. Alfalfa extract enhanced cucumber seedling growth in sand medium while inhibiting growth in sand-soil media. This difference is attributed to a reduced level of microbial activity in the sand. With higher levels of microbial activity, rapid decomposition of the extract may have resulted in a burst of ammonia evolution that proved damaging to cucumbers. The natural buffering capacity of the soil medium apparently mitigated the effects of the ammonia. Ammonium hydroxide, which did not depend on microbiological activity to release ammonia, proved lethal to cucumbers grown in sand. A diminished effect on growth was observed as the cation exchange capacity of the medium increased. Because high levels of alfalfa hay and ammonium hydroxide were required to produce toxic levels of ammonia in soil, it is unlikely that cucumbers would be harmed under normal field usage of alfalfa hay.

scholarly journals COMPACTION AFFECTS COMPOST EFFICACY IN DWARF OLEANDER PRODUCTION

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 686e-686
Author(s):  
George E. Fitzpatrick ◽  
Stephen D. Verkade
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Waste Materials ◽  
Urban Waste ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Msw Compost ◽  
The Media ◽  
Production Period

Three compost products made from urban waste materials, municipal solid waste (MSW), yard trash (YT), and a co-compost made from 1 part sewage sludge and 3 parts yard trash (S-YT), were used as growing media for production of dwarf oleander (Nerium oleander L.) in 25 cm. diameter containers. In one test the composts were used as stand-alone growing media and in a second test they were blended with pine bark (PB) and sand (S) in 2 ratios: 4 compost: 5 PB: 1 S and 1 compost: 1 PB: 1 S. The S-YT co-compost produced plants with the highest biomass in both tests. Reduced growth of dwarf oleander in each test was associated with the degree to which the media compacted during the 5.5 month production period. The MSW compost compacted an average 8.5 cm. per container when used as a stand-alone medium, while the S-YT mixes compacted much less, typically < 4.0 cm.

scholarly journals Sugarcane Bagasse Ash as a Seedling Growth Media Component

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles L Webber III ◽  
Paul M. White ◽  
Eric C. Petrie ◽  
James W. Shrefler ◽  
Merritt J. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Sugarcane Bagasse ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Seedling Production ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Media Component ◽  
Potting Media ◽  
Sugarcane Bagasse Ash ◽  
Total Plant ◽  
Filter Mud

Bagasse is the fibrous material remaining after removing the sucrose, water, and other impurities (filter mud) from the milable sugarcane. Louisiana sugarcane mills use a portion of the sugarcane bagasse for fuel producing over 20,411 mt of sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) as a by-product. The purpose of this research was to investigate the use of SBA as an amendment to soilless planting media for the production of vegetable seedlings. The SBA was combined by volume with a commercial soilless growing media into 5 combinations (0%:100%, 25%:75%, 50%:50%, 75%:25%, and 100%:0%, SBA and growing media, respectively). Squash var. ‘Straightneck’ and cantaloupe var. ‘Magnum Hybrid Melon’ were planted in each of the 5 different planting mixtures. The research indicates that the addition of SBA can enhance squash and cantaloupe seedling growth depending on the percentage of the ash added to the growth media. Squash plant stalk lengths and total plant fresh weights (stalk, leaves, tops, roots, and total plant) overall responded best at the 75% SBA. Squash dry weights were consistently greater when SBA was added to the soilless media compared to no SBA. The 25% and 50% SBA media produced the greatest cantaloupe leaf fresh weights. Cantaloupe leaf dry weights followed a similar trend, where the 25% and 50% SBA media produced greater plant weights with lesser yields observed at the 75% and 100% SBA levels. This data suggests that the 75% SBA and 25% SBA were certainly suitable potting media combinations for squash and cantaloupe seedling production, respectively.

scholarly journals Effect of different growing media on seed germination and seedling growth of jamun (Syzygium cumunii L. Skeels)

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (AAEBSSD) ◽  
pp. 138-141
Author(s):  
P. Lepakshi ◽  
P. Vinaya Kumar Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Seed Germination ◽  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Primary Root ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Root Shoot Ratio ◽  
Percent Germination ◽  
The Media ◽  
Number Of Leaves

The study entitled “Effect of different growing media on seed germination and seedling growth ofJamun (Syzygium cumunii L. Skeels)” was carried out at College of Horticulture, Dr. Y.S.R Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari District, AndhraPradesh, during the year 2018-19.Jamun seeds were sown in media comprising of soil, cocopeat and vermicompost in different ratios, Among which the media comprising of Soil + cocopeat + vermicompost @ 1:1:1 has shown best results in germinationparameters like earlier initiation of germination(10.91 days), less days taken to 50 percent germination(14.5 days) , highest percent of germination at 15 and 30 DAS(48.37% and 98.14 % respectively). The growth parameters likemaximum plant height(96.33cm), more number of leaves(55.75), increased girth(7.58mm) and chlorophyll content, lengthiest primary root(25.82cm), more number of secondary roots per seedling(41.51), highest fresh and dry weight of the shoot(80.24 and 20.67g.) and root and good root: shoot ratio(0.28)at 150 days after sowing were observed in plants that were sown in media comprising of Soil + cocopeat + vermicompost @ 1:1:1.

Urban biochar improves nitrogen and phosphorus availability in growing media

Soil Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhawana Bhatta Kaudal ◽  
Deli Chen ◽  
Anthony J. Weatherley
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
P Availability ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Additional Advantage ◽  
Sphagnum Peat ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Promote Plant Growth

The purpose of this study was to substitute sphagnum peat from plant growing media with urban biochar (UB) and evaluate its impact on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability. The UB was produced from the pyrolysis (650°C) of a 2 : 1 ratio of biosolids to green waste. We compared three mixes – 20% sphagnum peat mixed with composted pine bark (B0), 20% UB mixed with composted pine bark (B20) and 60% UB mixed with composted pine bark (B60) – for their ability to promote plant growth and minimise leaching losses in a greenhouse experiment using silverbeet (Beta vulgaris ssp. cicla). Plants were grown in 4.0-L custom-made chambers with the capacity to collect leachate and measure nitrous oxide gas flux. Both biochar mixes increased media pH, air filled porosity, bulk density and nutrient content relative to B0. The B0 had the highest cation exchange capacity and electrical conductivity. The UB-based mixes, B20 and B60, had no significant effect on silverbeet biomass after 11 weeks of growth but had higher N use efficiency and P availability than B0. These results indicate that UB can completely replace sphagnum peat from growing media and can be used at the rate of 60% on volume basis while improving N and P availability. Using a higher rate of biochar in growing media has the additional advantage of sequestering more carbon and reducing urban waste streams and landfill costs.

Growth of Dracaena marginata and Spathiphyllum ‘Petite’ in Sphagnum Peat- and Coconut Coir Dust-based Growing Media

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Stamps ◽  
Michael R. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Cocos Nucifera ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Sphagnum Peat ◽  
Affected Plant ◽  
Coir Dust ◽  
Media Component ◽  
The Media ◽  
Cocos Nucifera L

Abstract A comparison was made of Canadian sphagnum peat (SP) and Philippine coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) coir dust (CD) as growing media components for greenhouse production of Dracaena marginata Bak. and Spathiphyllum Schott ‘Petite’. Three soilless foliage plant growing mixes (Cornell, Hybrid, University of Florida #2 [UF-2]) were prepared using either SP or CD and pine bark (PB), vermiculite (V), and/or perlite (P) in the following ratios (% by vol): Cornell = 50 CD or SP:25 V:25 P, Hybrid = 40 CD or SP:30 V:30 PB, UF-2 = 50 CD or SP: 50 PB. Dracaena root growth was not affected by treatments but there were significant mix × media component interactions that affected plant top growth parameters. In general, the growth and quality of D. marginata were reduced by using CD in Cornell, had no effect in Hybrid, and increased in UF-2. S. ‘Petite’ grew equally well in all growing mixes regardless of whether CD or SP was used; however, plants grew more in Cornell and Hybrid than in UF-2. S. ‘Petite’ roots, which were infested with Cylindrocladium spathiphylli, had higher grades when grown in CD than when the media contained SP.

scholarly journals Rethinking Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Based Land Use Systems in Smallholder Farmers Livelihoods: A Case of Kolobo Watershed, West Shewa, Ethiopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dadi Feyisa ◽  
Endalkachew Kissi ◽  
Zerihun Kebebew
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Eucalyptus Globulus ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Cultivated Land ◽  
Central Highland ◽  
Land Use System ◽  
Physical And Chemical

AbstractDespite their restriction, smallholder farmers have been continuing growing Eucalyptus globulus in the cultivated land in the central highland of Ethiopia. Literature has shown controversial issues against E. globulus. Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate the compatibility of E. globulus in the smallholder farmers’ land use system. Soil samples were collected from five different land uses and analysed for selected physical and chemical properties. The socioeconomic contribution of E. globulus was collected through household surveys from 110 households. Analysis of soil showed that organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were significantly higher (P<0.05) under E. globulus compared to the cultivated land. The survey results also showed that the largest proportion (58%) of households was interested in growing E. globulus because of its multiple uses. About 83% of households responded that E. globulus help them to attain food security through increasing the purchasing power of smallholder farmers to buy agricultural inputs and food. This study has substantiated the role of E. globulus in the land use system of smallholder farmers. Most of the soil fertility indicators were better under E. globulus. The present finding reveals that E. globulus degrade the soil seemingly difficult to generalise. Growing E. globulus must be promoted under appealing land use to enhance smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. Removing E. globulus from the land use system may jeopardise the food security situation of many households.

scholarly journals Effect of pre-sowing treatments and growing media on seed germination and seedling growth of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 860-863
Author(s):  
Naresh Kumar ◽  
A. K. Handa ◽  
Inder Dev ◽  
Asha Ram ◽  
A. R. Uthappa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Growth ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Albizia Lebbeck ◽  
Physical Dormancy ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Hard Seed ◽  
Collar Diameter ◽  
Hard Seed Coat

The seeds of Albizia lebbeck have been observed to exhibit physical dormancy due to presence of hard seed-coat. To overcome this problem, the seeds were subjected to seven pre-sowing treatments viz., T1-immersion of seeds in cold water for 12 h; T2-immersion of seeds in cold water for 24 h; T3-immersion of seeds in hot water (100 °C) and subsequent cooling at room temperature for 12 h; T4-immersion of seeds in hot water (100 °C) and subsequent cooling at room temperature for 24 h; T5-immersion of seeds in cold water for 12 h followed by immersion in hot water (100 °C) and allowed to cool for 1 h; T6-immersion of seeds in cold water for 24 h followed by immersion in hot water (100 °C) and allowed to cool for 1 h. Untreated seeds served as control (T0). Treatment T3 gave highest germination (96%) which was comparable with T5 (95 %), T4 (94 %) and T6 (93%). Nine growing media viz., T1: soil,  T2: soil+sand (2:1), T3: soil+perlite (2:1), T4: soil+Farm Yard Manure (FYM) (2:1), T5: soil+vermicompost (2:1), T6: soil+sand+FYM (1:1:1), T7: soil+sand+vermicompost (1:1:1), T8: soil+perlite+FYM (1:1:1) and T9: soil+perlite+ vermicompost (1:1:1) were, also, studied for their effect on seedling growth of A. lebbeck. Among these media, maximum values of shoot length (23.82 cm), root length (21.14 cm), collar diameter (3.59 mm) and seedling quality index (0.350) were observed in T7.

scholarly journals Progress and Challenges in Ex Situ Conservation of Forage Germplasm: Grasses, Herbaceous Legumes and Fodder Trees

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Hanson ◽  
Richard Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Genetic Erosion ◽  
Security Requirements ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Fodder Trees ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Livestock Feed ◽  
Forage Species ◽  
Increasing Demand

Forages provide an important livestock feed resource globally, particularly for millions of smallholder farmers, and have important roles in natural resource management and carbon sequestration, reducing soil erosion and mitigating the effects of climate change. Forage germplasm remains the basis for the selection and development of new, higher-yielding and better adaptedgenotypes to meet the increasing demand for livestock feed. Rapid rates of genetic erosion of forage diversity due to land-use change from natural pastures and rangelands to crop production to meet the food security requirements of a growing global population, together with pressures from a changing climate, highlight the necessity for ex situ seed conservation of forage genetic resources to provide germplasm for use by future generations. Whilst many forage species have orthodox seeds, the diverse range of genera and species which provide forage is a challenge in terms of the wide scope of information and understanding on conservation methods that genebank managers require—particularly for tropical forages, many of which are comparatively under-researched. We review the challenges to the conservation of tropical forage species by seed in ex situ genebanks and provide information on optimum methods for their management.

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