Growth of Dieffenbachia maculata `Camille' in Growing Media Based on Spaghnum Peat or Coconut Coir Dust

A comparison was made of Philippine coconut coir dust and Canadian spaghnum peat as components of three growing media for greenhouse production of Dieffenbachia maculata `Camille'. The soilless media were prepared using coir or peat in various amounts (by volume) combined with pine bark, vermiculite, and/or perlite (Media A–50% coir/peat: 25% vermiculite: 25% perlite; Media B–40% coir/peat: 30% vermiculite: 30% bark; Media C–50% coir/peat: 50% bark). Chemical and physical properties of the soils were determined at the beginning and the end of the five-month production cycle. Plant root and top growth and grades were determined at the end of the experiment. Initially, saturated media extracts from coir-containing media had elevated K, Cl, and soluble salts levels compared to peat-containing media; however, by the end of the experiment those levels were lower in coir- than in peat-based media. Water-filled pore space and water-holding capacities were generally higher and air-filled pore space lower in coir- than in peat-based media, probably due to differences in particle size distributions. There were no interaction effects on plant growth between growing media and coir versus peat. Plant root and top growth in Media A > Media B > Media C and plant top growth was greater in coir- than in peat-based media. Differences in growth could be due, in part, to differences in media water-holding capacities.

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Growth of Dieffenbachia maculata `Camille' in Growing Media Containing Sphagnum Peat or Coconut Coir Dust

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.32.5.844 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 844-847 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Robert H. Stamps ◽

Michael R. Evans

Keyword(s):

Pore Space ◽

Cocos Nucifera ◽

Greenhouse Production ◽

Growing Media ◽

Sphagnum Peat ◽

Electrical Conductivities ◽

Coir Dust ◽

Foliage Plant ◽

Initial Medium ◽

Water Holding

A comparison was made of Canadian sphagnum peat (SP) and Philippine coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) coir dust (CD) as growing media components for Dieffenbachia maculata [(Lodd.) G. Don] `Camille' greenhouse production. Three soilless foliage plant growing mixes [Cornell, Hybrid, Univ. 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 (percent by volume): 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. Initial CI concentrations and electrical conductivities were higher for CD-containing media (CDM) than SP-containing media (SPM). At termination, Ca, Mg, and NO3-N concentrations were higher for SPM than CDM. Bulk densities were lower for CDM than SPM for one medium, but not for the others. Water-filled pore space (W-FPS) and water-holding capacity (W-HC) were larger and air-filled pore space (A-FPS) generally was smaller for CDM than SPM. Cornell had the highest W-FPS and W-HC, lowest A-FPS and percentage of large particles, and produced the highest grade and heaviest plants. Plant top grades, fresh mass and overall mass, but not root grades and mass, were higher for CDM than SPM. Plant mass was positively correlated with initial medium W-HC but not with A-FPS. Lower K in mix UF-2 compared to the mixes containing vermiculite may have been partly responsible for the lesser growth in that mix.

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

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898-17.1.49 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 49-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

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.

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Growth Response of Annual Transplants and Physical and Chemical Properties of Growing Media as Influenced by Composted Sewage Sludge Amended with Organic and Inorganic Materials

Journal of Environmental Horticulture ◽

10.24266/0738-2898-2.4.112 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 112-116

Author(s):

Delbert D. Hemphill ◽

Robert L. Ticknor ◽

D.J. Flower

Keyword(s):

Sewage Sludge ◽

Pore Space ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Inorganic Materials ◽

Growing Media ◽

High Yields ◽

Physical And Chemical ◽

Water Holding ◽

Inorganic Components ◽

Composted Sewage Sludge

Composted sewage sludge was combined with several other organic and inorganic components to form 19 growing media. Increasing the proportion of sludge compost in media from 25 to 50% increased media pH, electrical conductivity (EC), airfilled pore space (AS), and nutrient levels, and usually increased growth of pansy, snapdragon, and cabbage plants. Of the other organic components, sawdust-based media had the highest pH, EC, and AS; sphagnum peat-based media the highest water holding capacity. Plant fresh weights were highest with bark, which produced media with highest retention of K, Ca, Mg, and Na. Of the inorganic components, pumice produced media with lower AS and lower yields of each crop than did perlite or vermiculite. Inorganic components had no effect on media pH or EC. Yields of all crops were usually higher in media containing compost than in 5 commercial potting mixes but less than in a fertilizer-amended bark medium. High yields appeared to be associated with higher medium AS and higher initial levels of major and minor plant nutrients.

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Coconut Husk and Processing Effects on Chemical and Physical Properties of Coconut Coir Dust

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.34.1.88 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 88-90 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Sreenivas Konduru ◽

Michael R. Evans ◽

Robert H. Stamps

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Pore Space ◽

Cocos Nucifera ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Compression Pressure ◽

Coconut Husk ◽

Electrical Conductivities ◽

Coir Dust ◽

Processing Effects ◽

Water Holding

Chemical properties of unprocessed coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husks varied significantly among 11 sources tested. The pH and electrical conductivities were significantly different among husk sources and ranged from 5.9 to 6.9 and 1.2 to 2.8 mS·cm-1, respectively. The \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{NH}_{4}^{+}\) \end{document}, \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-}\) \end{document}, Ca, and Mg levels did not differ significantly among husk sources and ranged from 0.2 to 1.8, 0.2 to 0.9, 2.9 to 7.3, and nondetectable to 4.6 mg·kg-1, respectively. Levels of P, B, Cu, Fe, Ni, S, Zn, Mn, and Mo were all significantly different among husk sources and ranged from nondetectable levels to 33 ppm. The levels of Na, K, and Cl were significantly different among husk sources and ranged from 23 to 88, 126 to 236, and 304 to 704 ppm, respectively. Coir dust (CD) produced by screening of waste-grade coir through 3-, 6-, or 13-mm mesh screens had significantly different fiber content, bulk densities, total solids, total pore space, air-filled pore space, water-filled pore space, and water-holding capacities as compared with nonscreened waste-grade coir. However, screen size did not significantly affect the physical properties of CD. Neither compression pressure nor moisture level during compression of CD blocks significantly affected rehydration of compressed CD or physical properties of rehydrated CD.

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Source Variation in Chemical Characteristics of Coconut Coir Dust

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.4.866a ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 866A-866

Author(s):

Sreenivas Konduru ◽

Michael R. Evans ◽

Robert H. Stamps

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Chemical Characteristics ◽

Nitrate N ◽

Coir Dust ◽

Saturated Media ◽

Coconut Coir ◽

Different Sources ◽

Source Variation

Chemical characteristics of saturated media extracts of coconut (Cocos nuc L.) coir dust were determined from material from different sources (producers and countries) and were found to be source-dependent. For all samples tested, the pH was between 5.5 and 6.6, and the electrical conductivity ranged from 0.2 to 2.4 cm–1. Nitrate-N levels were between 0.3 and 8 ppm, and ammoniacal-N levels were 0.2 ppm or less. Calcium and Mg levels ranged from 1 to 24 and 1 to 3 ppm, respectively. Potassium and Cl levels ranged widely from 16 to 686 and 24 to 600 ppm, respectively. Sodium levels were between 28 and 53 ppm. The levels of B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn were <1 ppm. Although there were significant differences between producers within a country, sources originating from different countries were found to have the greatest differences in chemical characteristics.

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Pengaruh Rasio Debu Sabut Kelapa dan Kotoran Kambing terhadap Waktu Pengomposan dan Kualitas Pupuk Organik [The Effects of Coconut Coir Dust - Goat Debris Rasio on Composting Time and Organic Fertilizer Quality]

Buletin Palma ◽

10.21082/bp.v19n1.2018.33-46 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 33

Author(s):

Linda Trivana ◽

Adhitya Yudha Pradhana

Keyword(s):

Organic Materials ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Peak Temperature ◽

Fertilizer Nitrogen ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Coir Dust ◽

Completely Randomized Design ◽

Coconut Coir ◽

C 50 ◽

The Ideal

The coconut coir dust nutrients suitable for use as organic fertilizer. Nitrogen and phosporus levels in coir dust is still low, so it’s requires additional organic materials, such as goat debris. The purpose of this research was to determine the influence of composting time of coconut coir dust and goat debris mixture on organic fertilizer quality. The study used a Completely Randomized Design with 5 treatments and 5 replications so that 25 units of experiments were obtained, and each treatment added 20 ml EM4 bioactivator. The mixture of coir dust- goat debris consist of: A (80:20), B (60:40), C (50:50), D (40:60), and E (20:80). The peak temperature of composting of organic fertilizer with ratio of coir dust- goat debris 80:20 and 60:40 occured on the 21st-days of composting, while organic fertilizer with ratio of coir dust- goat debris 50:50, 40:60, 20:80 on the 12th days of compositing. Organic fertilizer with ratio of coir dust- goat debris 80:20 and 60:40 during composting time 21 days didn’t in accordance SNI standards (C/N ratio 10-20), namely 21.28 and 21.10. Organic fertilizer with ratio of coir dust- goat debris 80:20 and 60:40 were require longer composting time more than 21 days. Organic fertilizer with ratio of coir dust- goat debris 50:50 and 40:60 that’s unqualified SNI 19-7030-2004 standard at composting time 21 days. Organic fertilizer with ratio of coir dust - goat debris 20:80 on composting that’s 7th, 14th, and 21st days unqualified SNI standard, because C/N ratio do not meet SNI standard (C/N ratio 10-20), that is 28.64, 21.89 and 7.93 respectively. The ideal time of composting for organic fertilizer with ratio of coir dust- goat debris 20:80 between 14 - 21 days. ABSTRAKDebu sabut mengandung unsur hara yang dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai pupuk organik. Kadar N dan P debu sabut masih rendah sehingga membutuhkan tambahan bahan organik lain seperti kotoran kambing. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh waktu pengomposan campuran debu sabut kelapa dan kotoran kambing terhadap kualitas pupuk organik. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap dengan lima perlakuan dan lima ulangan sehingga diperolah 25 satuan percobaan dan setiap perlakuan ditambahkan bioaktivator EM4 sebanyak 20 ml. Perlakuan yang diuji adalah komposisi debu sabut (DS)-kotoran kambing (KK) yang terdiri atas A (80:20), B (60:40), C (50:50), D (40:60), dan E (20:80). Suhu puncak pengomposan untuk pupuk organik dengan komposisi DS-KK 80:20 dan 60:40 terjadi pada hari ke-21, sedangkan pupuk organik dengan komposisi DS-KK 50:50, 40:60, dan 20:80 pada hari ke-12. Pupuk organik dengan komposisi DS-KK 80:20 dan 60:40 selama pengomposan 21 hari tidak memenuhi standar SNI (rasio C/N 10-20), yaitu 21,28 dan 21,10. Pupuk organik dengan komposisi DS-KK 80:20 dan 60:40 memerlukan waktu pengomposan yang lebih lama (lebih dari 21 hari). Pupuk organik dengan komposisi DS-KK 50:50 dan 40:60 memenuhi standar SNI 19-70302004 pada waktu pengomposan 21 hari. Pupuk organik dengan komposisi DS-KK 20:80 pada pengomposan 7, 14, dan 21 hari tidak memenuhi standar SNI, karena nilai rasio C/N pupuk E tidak sesuai dengan SNI (rasio C/N 10-20), yaitu masing masing sebesar 28,64, 21,89 dan 7,93. Waktu ideal pengomposan untuk pupuk E antara 14-21 hari.

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Variation in Media pH and Electrical Conductivity in Geraniums

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.40.4.1124c ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 1124C-1124

Author(s):

Carinne Peters ◽

Marla S. McIntosh

Keyword(s):

Electrical Conductivity ◽

Nutrient Uptake ◽

Growth Stage ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Production Cycle ◽

Greenhouse Production ◽

Growing Media ◽

Ph Variation

Pour-through extraction can provide data indicating geranium container nutrient status for growers to diagnose nutritional problems and prevent plant loss. The objective of this study was to examine changes in growing media pH and electrical conductivity during the production cycle of 10 cultivars from each of the three geranium classes (zonal, ivy, and regal). Thirty cultivars of geraniums were grown in pots using standard commercial greenhouse production guidelines for 12 weeks. Pour-through extractions were performed every 5 d and media pH and electrical conductivity were determined on the collected leachate. While there was a significant reduction in media pH for zonal and ivy geraniums 36 d after transplanting plugs, only one regal cultivar exhibited a decrease in pH during the production cycle. Statistically significant differences for mean media pH and electrical conductivity were also observed among cultivars within each class at several sampling dates. The results of this study indicate that zonal, ivy, and one regal cultivar's media pH decreases rapidly from day 21 to day 36, and then returns to initial levels by day 46. Because of the importance of media pH to nutrient uptake, this study allows for a better understanding of nutritional problems that are linked to pH that frequently occur at the stage of growth. It also suggests that fertigation rates should be adjusted by cultivar and growth stage to address this pH variation.

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Source Variation in Physical and Chemical Properties of Coconut Coir Dust

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.6.965 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (6) ◽

pp. 965-967 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

Michael R. Evans ◽

Sreenivas Konduru ◽

Robert H. Stamps

Keyword(s):

Pore Space ◽

Cocos Nucifera ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Dry Weight ◽

The Philippines ◽

Dust Sources ◽

Electrical Conductivities ◽

Coir Dust ◽

Physical And Chemical ◽

Water Holding

Physical properties differed significantly among five Philippine-produced coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) coir dust sources. Bulk densities ranged from 0.04 to 0.08 g·cm–3. Air-filled pore space, water-filled pore space, and total pore space ranged from 9.5% to 12.6%, 73.0% to 80.0%, and 85.5% to 89.5% (v/v), respectively. Total solids accounted for 10.5% to 14.5% of total volume, and water-holding capacities ranged from 750% to 1100% of dry weight. Significant differences existed in particle size distribution, with the largest differences occurring for particle sizes <8.0 mm and 0.25 to 0.50 mm in diameter. Chemical properties were determined for 12 sources from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, or Indonesia. The pH and electrical conductivities ranged from 5.6 to 6.9 and 0.3 to 2.9 mS·cm–1, respectively, and were significantly different among sources. No significant differences occurred among samples with respect to Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, NH4-N, and Mg concentrations. Coir dust samples contained Fe, Mn, Zn, B, and Cu at 0.01 to 0.07 mg·L–1. The levels of NH4-N and Mg were 0.1 to 0.2 and 1.0 to 7.4 mg·L–1, respectively. Significant differences occurred between sources for Ca, Na, and NO3-N, with levels (mg·L–1) ranging from 1.0 to 24.3, from 22.3 to 88.3, and from 0.4 to 7.0, respectively. The widest ranges occurred in K (19 to 948 mg·L–1) and Cl (26 to 1636 mg·L–1). Sources differed with respect to cation exchange capacities, with values ranging from 38.9 to 60.0 meq/100 g.

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Source and Processing Affects Chemical and Physical Properties of Coir Dust

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.31.4.656e ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 656e-656

Author(s):

Sreenivas Konduru ◽

Michael R. Evans

Keyword(s):

Physical Properties ◽

Pore Space ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Screen Size ◽

Total Solids ◽

Electrical Conductivities ◽

Water Filled Pore Space ◽

Coir Dust ◽

Water Holding

Chemical properties of unprocessed coconut husks varied significantly between 11 sources tested. The pH was significantly different between sources and ranged from 5.9 to 6.9. The electrical conductivities were significantly different between sources and ranged from 1.2 to 2.8 mS·cm–1. The levels of Na, K, P, and Cl were significantly different between sources and ranged from 23 to 88, 126 to 236, 8 to 33, and 304 to 704 ppm, respectively. The B, Cu, Fe, Ni, S, Zn, Mn, and Mo levels were all significantly different between sources and ranged from nondetectable levels to 12.7 ppm. The NH4-N, NO3-N, Ca, and Mg levels were not significantly different between sources and ranged from 0.2 to 1.8, 0.2 to 0.9, 2.9 to 7.3, and nondetectable to 4.6 ppm, respectively. Coir dust produced by screening of waste grade coir through 13-, 6-, or 3-mm screens had significantly different bulk densities, air-filled pore space, water filled pore space and water-holding capacities compared to nonscreened waste grade coir. However, total pore space and total solids were not significantly affected by screening. Screen size did not significantly affect physical properties. Compression pressures used for formation of coir dust blocks significantly affected physical properties. Additionally, coir dust age significantly affected chemical properties.

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257 Characterization of the Physico-chemical Properties of and Plant Response to Ecologically Sound Organic Substrates in Relation to Rockwool

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.3.435d ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 435D-435

Author(s):

Md. Shahidul Islam ◽

Tadashi Ito

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Rice Husk ◽

Pore Space ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Water Holding Capacity ◽

Organic Substrates ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Coconut Coir ◽

Water Holding

Characterization of physico-chemical properties of ecologically sound unprocessed coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) coir and carbonated rice husk in relation to rockwool were investigated to examine the crop performance along with productivity of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). In all substrates, the water-filled pore space and water-holding capacity were larger and air-filled pore space was smaller. Bulk densities, water-holding capacity, and water-filled, air-filled, and total pore spaces were lower in carbonated rice husk than coconut coir and rockwool. These values in coconut coir and carbonated rice husk were increased by use. Most of the physical properties, EC, pH, and inorganic elements, of these natural organic substrates were within appropriate levels as growing media. There were little differences in plant height, stem diameter, percent fruit set, harvest index, ascorbic acid, total soluble solid, fruit pH, and leaf chlorophyll ratio. But, number of nodes, internode length, leaf number and area, days to first anthesis, flower number, and fruit number and weight differed significantly among treatments. There was smaller fluctuation in absolute growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilate rate, and leaf area ratio among the treatments. It appeared that carbonated rice husk and the coconut coir gave better crop performance than rockwool under moderate high temperatures (30 and 35 °C compared to 25 °C). Furthermore, crop productivity from the organic substrate coconut coir and carbonated rice husk gave more profit than that of rockwool. Thus, carbonated rice husk and coconut coir substrates can be used successfully as a bag culture media amendment for producing vegetables, especially in tropical and subtropical areas.

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