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

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 844-847 ◽  
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.

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

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-90 ◽  
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.

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

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 583e-583
Author(s):  
Robert H. Stamps ◽  
Michael R. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Pore Space ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Greenhouse Production ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Coir Dust ◽  
Saturated Media ◽  
Coconut Coir ◽  
C 50 ◽  
Water Holding

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.

scholarly journals Source Variation in Physical and Chemical Properties of Coconut Coir Dust

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 965-967 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Source and Processing Affects Chemical and Physical Properties of Coir Dust

HortScience ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Growth of Bedding Plants in Sphagnum Peat and Coir Dust-Based Substrates

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Evans ◽  
Robert H. Stamps
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Axillary Shoots ◽  
Bedding Plants ◽  
Sphagnum Peat ◽  
Bright Yellow ◽  
Water Filled Pore Space ◽  
Coir Dust ◽  
Water Holding

Abstract Water-holding capacity of substrates increased as the proportion of sphagnum peat and coir increased, and coir-based substrates had greater water-holding capacities than comparable peat-based substrates. There were no significant differences between coir and peat-based substrates with respect to bulk density, percent pore space and percent solids. Air-filled pore space and water-filled pore space decreased and increased, respectively, as the proportion of peat and coir increased. ‘Pink Elite’ geranium plants grown in coir-based substrates had greater root fresh weights than those grown in sphagnum-peat based substrates. Greatest root fresh weight occurred in an 80% coir and 20% perlite substrate. Days to flower, height, shoot fresh weight and number of axillary shoots were not significantly different between substrates. ‘Janie Bright Yellow’ marigold and ‘Blue Lace Carpet’ petunia plants had increased heights and shoot fresh weights when grown in coir-based substrates as compared with sphagnum peat-based substrates. Greatest heights and shoot fresh weights of petunia and marigold occurred in an 80% coir and 20% perlite substrate. Days to flower were reduced for marigold plants grown in coir-based substrates.

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

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1484-1486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan W. Meerow
Keyword(s):  
Growth Index ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Sphagnum Peat ◽  
Coir Dust ◽  
Top Dry Weight ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Ixora Coccinea ◽  
Coconut Mesocarp ◽  
Over Time

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.

scholarly journals KENAF PITH AS A VERMICULITE SUBSTITUTE IN PEAT-BASED MEDIA.

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 647g-647
Author(s):  
Brad B. Hawcroft ◽  
Steven E. Newman
Keyword(s):  
Pore Space ◽  
Hibiscus Cannabinus ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
Kenaf Fiber ◽  
Fiber Core ◽  
Sphagnum Peat ◽  
Sphagnum Peat Moss ◽  
Celosia Argentea ◽  
The Media ◽  
Water Holding

Kenaf is an alternative fiber crop being evaluated in Mississippi. Kenaf, primarily grown in Asia, can be used in the manufacture of paper, fiber board, acoustical tiles and compost. The bark is the source of the fiber used, leaving the fiber core or pith for use as a paper additive, poultry litter, or is discarded. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use of kenaf fiber core as a vermiculite substitute in a sphagnum peat moss-based medium. Plugs of Celosia argentea, Viola × wittrockiana, and Impatiens wallerana were transplanted into 10 cm pots containing 5 different sphagnum peat moss-based media modified with the milled fiber core (pith) of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) and/or vermiculite. The media were as follows: 5 peat: 0 kenaf : 5 vermiculite (v/v/v); 5 peat : 1 kenaf : 4 vermiculite (v/v/v); 5 peat : 2 kenaf : 3 vermiculite (v/v/v); 5 peat : 3 kenaf : 2 vermiculite (v/v/v); 5 peat : 4 kenaf : 1 vermiculite (v/v/v); and 5 peat : 5 kenaf: 0 vermiculite (v/v/v). Water holding capacity, pore space, pH and media shrinkage were monitored throughout the study along with plant growth and plant quality.

scholarly journals 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

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.

scholarly journals Biochar as growing media additive and peat substitute

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1023-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Steiner ◽  
T. Harttung
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Plant Weight ◽  
Sphagnum Peat ◽  
High Structural Stability ◽  
Air Capacity ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Very High ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract. Environmental concerns raised the demand for alternative growing media substituting sphagnum peat. However growing media formulations still depend on peat and alternatives are limited. Biochar is carbonized plant material and could be an appropriate additive or even substitute for sphagnum peat. Freshly produced, it is free from pathogens, has a low nutrient content (if produced from nutrient poor feedstock), a very high structural stability and likely other favourable properties such as air capacity and water holding capacity. Preliminary tests were conducted to compare biochar with other growing media and growing media additives. The growth of a miniature sunflower, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) was measured in different growing media such as biochar, perlite, clay granules, sphagnum peat and peat mixed with biochar in the ratios 1 : 4, 1 : 1 and 4 : 1 (25, 50 and 75%, by volume). Fresh biochar has a similar EC than peat which is even lower after rinsing with water. Due to the relatively high pH of biochar, it could be added to peat instead of lime in a concentration of up to 75%. The growth of the sunflower was similar in all growing media. Only the plant weight was slightly higher of plants that grew in perlite or peat. There is a large potential for optimization such as selection of particle size and feedstock for biochar production and growing media formulations for specific plant requirements.

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