Yard Trimmings–Biosolids Co-compost can Substitute for Sphagnum Peatmoss in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Transplant Media

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 488e-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica P. Ozores-Hampton ◽  
Charles Vavrina ◽  
Thomas A. Obreza

Large volumes of a compost made by mixing and co-composting yard trimmings (YT) and biosolids (BS) feedstocks have recently become available to the Florida vegetable industry. Compost used as vegetable transplant medium may be less expensive than traditional Sphagnum peatmoss, which is a non-renewable resource. `Agriset 761' tomato seed were planted in five combinations of compost, peat, and vermiculite media: 0:70:30 (control), 18:52:30, 35:35:30, 52:18:30, and 70:0:30 by weight, respectively. The presence of compost in the media increased leaf area, shoot dry weight, and number of leaves 21 days after treatment (DAT), and leaf area, shoot dry weight, root dry weight 28 DAT compared with the control. There were no differences in root dry weight 21 DAT and number of leaves 28 DAT between treatments containing compost and the control. Plants in the compost treatments had greater final leaf area, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and stem diameter but less chlorophyll content compared with the control. There was no effect of compost rate on any of the response variables measured. Neither final leaf number nor stem length were affected by media composition. The results suggest that YT/BS co-compost can be used as an alternative to peat media for tomato transplant production, and that the rate of use is not critical.

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 293 ◽  
Author(s):  
DR Eagling ◽  
RJ Sward ◽  
GM Halloran

Measurements were made on the effect of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) infection on the early growth of four commercial cultivars of ryegrass (Lolium spp.) under two different temperatures (24�C and 16�C). At 24'C, BYDV infection was associated with reduced root dry weight (30-40%) in all cultivars; the effect of infection on shoot dry weight and leaf area was variable. At 16�C, the effect of BYDV infection was variable, being associated with increases in root dry weight, shoot dry weight, and leaf area in one cultivar (Grasslands Ariki) and decreases in another (Victorian). In two other cultivars, root dry weight, shoot dry weight and leaf area were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by infection with BYDV.At 24�C, the reductions in root dry weight associated with BYDV infection were not concomitant with reductions in the root relative growth rates. Up to at least 28 days after inoculation (46-50 days after germination) reductions in root dry weight were associated with both aphid-feeding damage and virus infection. Experiments with the cultivar Victorian, showed that shoot dry weight was not significantly affected (P>0.05) by feeding with viruliferous (BYDV) or non-viruliferous aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi L.). At 16�C, changes in root and shoot dry weight were associated with changes in the root and shoot relative growth rates.


Author(s):  
Ogbuehi HC ◽  
Ibe PK

A pot experiment was conducted under rainfed condition to study the effect of water hyacinth compost on the morpho-physiological parameters of soybean (Glycine max L.) at the Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Imo State University, Owerri. The treatments were control (T1) 100g (T2), 150g (T3) and 200g (T4) of water hyacinth compost and replicated four times. The treatments were arranged in Complete Randomized Design (CRD). The parameters measured were plant height, number of leaves, leaf area (cm2), leaf area index, relative growth rate (RGR), Net assimilation rate (NAR), shoot dry weight(g), yield and yield components (Number of pods, pods weight, 100 seed weight). The results obtained indicated that T3 significantly produced highest plant height (57.6cm) compare to control. While it was observed that T4 (200g) significantly produced the highest number of leaves (233.25), leaf area (631.80cm2), shoot dry weight (15.445g), number of pods (129.75), pod weights (25.38g) seed weight (7.23g) and yield (0.72kg/ha) relative to control and other treatment levels. Root parameters were also significantly improved by the rates of water hyacinth application compared to control. It will be worthy to note that there was no nodulation perhaps that was why the yield was poor. The results showed that soybean growth can effectively be improved with incorporation of water hyacinth into soil.


1996 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 699-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaping Si ◽  
Royal D. Heins

Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum `Resistant Giant no. 4') seedlings were grown for 6 weeks in 128-cell plug trays under 16 day/night temperature (DT/NT) regimes from 14 to 26 °C. Seedling stem length, internode length, stem diameter, leaf area, internode and leaf count, plant volume, shoot dry weight (DW), seedling index, and leaf unfolding rate (LUR) were primarily functions of average daily temperature (ADT); i.e., DT and NT had similar effects on each growth or development parameter. Compared to ADT, the difference (DIF, where DIF = DT - NT) between DT and NT had a smaller but still statistically significant effect on stem and internode length, leaf area, plant volume, stem diameter, and seedling index. DIF had no effect on internode and leaf count, shoot DW, and LUR. The root: shoot ratio and leaf reflectance were affected by DT and DIF. Positive DIF (DT higher than NT) caused darker-green leaf color than negative DIF. The node at which the first flower initiated was related to NT. The number of nodes to the first flower on pepper plugs grown at 26 C NT was 1.2 fewer than those of plants grown at 14 °C NT.


HortScience ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Arenas ◽  
C.S. Vavrina ◽  
J.A. Cornell ◽  
E.A. Hanlon ◽  
G.J. Hochmuth

Sixteen media prepared from peat, coir, vermiculite, or perlite were used to determine the optimum growing media for tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) transplants. Medium composition did not affect tomato seed emergence, although seedling emergence was higher in winter (90%) than summer (85%). Greatest transplant root dry weight, stem diameter, and leaf area were achieved in 50% to 75% peat + 25% to 50% vermiculite in summer. In winter, greatest transplant root dry weight, stem diameter, and leaf area were achieved in eight media: 100% peat, 75% peat + 25% vermiculite, 75% peat + 25% perlite, 50% peat + 50% vermiculite, 50% peat + 50% perlite, 25% peat + 50% coir + 25% vermiculite, 50% peat + 25%coir + 25% vermiculite, and 25% peat +25% coir +25% vermiculite +25% perlite. Transplants grown with >50% coir exhibited reduced plant growth compared to peat-grown transplants, a response that may be associated with high N immobilization by microorganisms and high C:N ratio. Despite transplant growth differences during the summer, fruit yields generally were unaffected by transplant media.


1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 1199-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEAN MASSON ◽  
ANDRÉ GOSSELIN ◽  
NICOLAS TREMBLAY

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ’Springset’) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. ’Ithaca’) transplants were grown under natural and supplemental light (100 μmol m−2 s−1 PAR) and fertilized with four nitrogen doses (100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L−1 N). Supplemental light increased tomato shoot dry weight, shoot percent dry matter, leaf area, root dry weight, and root-to-shoot ratio. Lettuce transplants showed increased shoot and root dry weight as well as leaf area when supplemental light was present. For both species, nitrogen increased shoot dry weight and leaf area, but decreased shoot percent dry matter and root-to-shoot ratio. High nitrogen doses increased tomato and lettuce shoot dry weight and leaf area chiefly under supplemental light.Key words: Lycopersicon esculentum, Lactuca sativa, pretransplanting nutritional conditioning, seedling


Author(s):  
O. S. Olubode ◽  
D. O. Ayoola

Phytotoxicity of wild plants is sometimes utilized in the control of weeds. Their effects on crops are however not extensively documented. Effects of aqueous extracts of Olax subscorpioidea Oliv. were thus examined on seeds and seedlings of maize. Two experiments were laid out in complete randomized designs (CRD) and replicated five times. Ten seeds of maize were initially placed in separate petri-dishes and moistened daily with two (2) ml water extracts of different parts of Olax sp. while 2 ml of distilled water served as control. Secondly, maize seedlings growing on top soil in experimental pots were treated with 100 ml of extracts at seven days intervals for eight weeks. Data were collected on number of germinated seeds daily, and lengths of five randomly selected plumules and radicles at 7 days after sowing (DAS). Number of leaves, plant height, root dry weight and shoot dry weight of seedling were measured using standard methods. Analysis of variance and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test were conducted to statistically determine significant means at P=0.05. Mean germination of (0.71±0.00) was observed at 2 DAS and 2.81±0.10 at 7 DAS. Leaf extracts significantly reduced germinability, but significantly increased number of leaves, plant height (26±1.28), root dry weight (10.30±3.24) and shoot dry weight (14.99±2.13). The results showed that Olax subscorpioidea has alloallelopathic (phytotoxic) effects on maize seeds, but stimulated growth of maize seedlings. Its use as a bio-herbicide or growth stimulant in should be well-timed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 1899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisele Silva de Aquino ◽  
João Gilberto Sampaio dos Santos ◽  
Tayna Gomes Diniz ◽  
Cristiane De Conti Medina ◽  
Raffaella Rosseto ◽  
...  

The sugarcane pre-sprouted seedlings (PSS) system is a new multiplication technology that contributes to the rapid production of seedlings and is associated with a high standard of vegetal health, vigour and uniformity of planting, as well as a drastic reduction in the use of seedlings per area. Due to the high moisture required during the initial period of growth, the filter cake can be an ally in the development of this technology. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the development of sugarcane PSS, under different amounts of filter cake and application modes. The treatments included five doses of filter cake at 0, 7.5, 15, 30, and 45 t ha-1 and two forms of application: depth (0.30 m) and surface. Once formed, the sugarcane PPS were planted in Eutroferric Red Latosol, with due treatments. For aerial development analyses, leaf area, stem length and diameter and shoot dry mass were evaluated at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after planting. The filter cake positively influenced the development of pre-sprouted seedlings, promoting greater leaf area and stalk diameter when applied on the surface. The dose of 30 t ha-1 to the surface, provided 54% higher shoot dry weight and 56% more dry weight of roots compared to cultivation without its application, demonstrating its usefulness to improve the development of pre-sprouted seedlings.


HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1041B-1041
Author(s):  
Jason J. Griffin ◽  
William R. Reid ◽  
Dale Bremer

Successful establishment and growth of newly planted trees in the landscape is dependent on many factors. Weed pressure and water conservation are typically achieved with either organic mulches or chemical herbicides applied over the root ball of the newly planted tree. In the landscape, eliminating turfgrass from the root zone of trees may be more complicated than resource competition. Studies have shown that tall fescue (Festucaarundinaceae Schreb.) has allelopathic properties on pecan trees [Caryaillinoiensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch]. Well-manicured tall fescue turf in the landscape may have negative effects on the establishment and growth of landscape trees as well. A study was designed to examine the effects of popular turfgrasses on the growth of newly planted pecan and redbud (Cerciscanadensis L.). Results demonstrate that the presence of turfgrass over the root zone of trees negatively impacts tree growth. Through two growing seasons, every growth parameter measured on redbuds (caliper, height, shoot growth, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, leaf area, and leaf weight) was significantly reduced by the presence of turf. However, the warm season bermudagrass [Cynodondactylon (L.) Pers.] was less inhibitied than the cool season grasses. The affects of turfgrass on pecan growth was less significant; however, caliper, leaf area, and root dry weight were significantly reduced when grown with turf.


HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 632f-633
Author(s):  
Kay Oakley ◽  
Robert Geneve ◽  
Sharon Kester ◽  
Myra Stafford

Root and shoot development in Marigold `Little Devil Flame' was studied after being grown for varying lengths of time in 392-count plugs before transplanting to six-pack cells. Seedlings were grown for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days before transplanting to six-packs. All plants were measured at day 25. There was no significant difference in total root length, area and dry weight per plant or in leaf area and shoot dry weight per plant for seedlings transplanted from 0 to 15 days. Both total root dry weight and total shoot dry weight of seedlings transplanted on day 20 was reduced by 32% compared to seedlings that were not transplanted. Total root dry weight of seedlings transplanted at day 25 was reduced by 60% while total shoot dry weight of seedlings was reduced by 56% from those not transplanted. In a separate experiment, the growth rate of seedlings grown in plugs was sigmoidal (r2 = 0.98). Growth rate was significantly reduced between 20 and 25 days in the plug. These results suggest that root restriction in the plug may be a factor in the reduction of seedling growth following transplanting.


2021 ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
Jamaludin Jamaludin ◽  
M. Gary Ranchiano

The study aimed to find the media composition and watering frequency through drip irrigation technology, which is appropriate to support the growth of vanilla plants in polybags. The research was conducted in the STIPER Dharma Wacana Metro experimental garden from April to July 2020. The first factor is the composition of the planting medium, namely soil + manure, soil + manure + rice husks, soil + manure + sand, and soil + manure + cocopeat. The second factor is watering frequency, namely 1, 2, and 3 times a day. Each treatment was repeated three times. The variables observed included plant height (cm), number of leaves (strands), shoot fresh weight (g), root fresh weight (g), and biomass dry weight (g). The use of mixed media of soil, manure, and cocopeat is the best media composition by producing a root wet weight of 8.0 g and a dry weight of 7.2 g. The frequency of watering three times a day resulted in the best height of vanilla plants being 51.8 cm compared to the frequency of watering once and twice a day. There was no interaction between the composition of the growing media and the frequency of watering on vanilla plants growth in polybags.


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