scholarly journals Performance of Ornamental Plants in Alternative Organic Growing Media Amended with Increasing Rates of Expanded Shale

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 594-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Sloan ◽  
Raul I. Cabrera ◽  
Peter A.Y. Ampim ◽  
Steve A. George ◽  
Wayne A. Mackay
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Tissue ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Organic Materials ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Light Weight ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Micronutrient Uptake ◽  
Expanded Shale

Organic and inorganic amendments are often used to improve chemical and physical properties of soils. The objective of this study was to determine how the inclusion of light-weight expanded shale in various organic matter blends would affect plant performance. Four basic blends of organic growing media were prepared using traditional or alternative organic materials: 1) 75% pine bark (PB) + 25% sphagnum peatmoss (PM), 2) 50% PB + 50% wastewater biosolids (BS), 3) 100% municipal yard waste compost (compost), and 4) 65% PB + 35% cottonseed hulls (CH). Light-weight expanded shale was then blended with each of these mixtures at rates of 0%, 15%, 30%, and 60% (v/v). Vinca (Catharanthus roseus), verbena (Verbena hybrida), and shantung maple (Acer truncatum) were planted into the growing media after they were transferred into greenhouse pots. Vinca growth was monitored for 3 months before harvesting aboveground plant tissue to determine total biomass yield and elemental composition. Verbena growth was monitored for 6 months, during which time aboveground plant tissue was harvested twice to determine total biomass yield. Additionally, aboveground vinca plant tissue was analyzed for nutrients and heavy metal concentrations. In the absence of expanded shale, verbena and shantung maple trees produced more aboveground biomass in the 50-PB/50-BS blends, whereas vinca grew more biomass in the pure compost blends. Inclusion of expanded shale in the various organic matter blends generally had a negative effect on plant growth, with the exception of shantung maple growth in the 65-PB/35-CH blend. Reduced plant growth was probably due to a lower concentration of nutrients in the growing media. Macro- and micronutrient uptake was generally reduced by addition of expanded shale to the organic growing media. Results suggest that organic materials that have been stabilized through prior decomposition, such as compost or PM, are safe and reliable growing media, but expanded shale offers few benefits to a container growing medium except in cases where additional porosity is needed.

scholarly journals Optimizing hydroponic culture media and NO3−/NH4+ ratio for improving essential oil compositions of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Ahmadi ◽  
Abbas Samadi ◽  
Ebrahim Sepehr ◽  
Amir Rahimi ◽  
Sergey Shabala
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Essential Oil ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Echinacea Purpurea ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Growing Media

AbstractMedicinal plants represent a valuable commodity due to beneficial effects of their natural products on human health, prompting a need for finding a way to optimize/increase their production. In this study, a novel growing media with various perlite particle size and its mixture with peat moss was tested for hydroponic-based production of Echinacea purpurea medicinal plant under greenhouse conditions. The plant growth parameters such as plant height, total fresh leave weight, fresh root weight, total biomass, total chlorophyll, leaf area, and essential oil compositions were assessed. Perlite particle size in the growing media was varied from very coarse (more than 2 mm) to very fine (less than 0.5 mm), and the ratio between perlite and peat moss varied from 50:50 v/v to 30:70 v/v. In addition, two nitrate (NO3−) to ammonium (NH4+) ratios (90:10 and 70:30) were tested for each growing media. The medium containing very fine-grade perlite and 50:50 v/v perlite to peat moss ratio was found to be most optimal and beneficial for E. purpurea performance, resulting in maximal plant height, fresh and dry weight, leaf surface area, and chlorophyll content. It was also found that an increase in NO3−/NH4+ ratio caused a significant increase in plant growth parameters and increase the plant essential oil content. The major terpene hydrocarbons found in extract of E. purpurea with the best growth parameters were germacrene D (51%), myrcene (15%), α-pinene (12%), β-caryophyllene (11%), and 1-Pentadecene (4.4%), respectively. The percentages of these terpene hydrocarbons were increased by increasing of NO3−/NH4+ ratio. It can be concluded that decreasing the perlite particle size and increasing the NO3−/NH4+ ratio increased the plant growth parameters and essential oil compositions in E. purpurea.

scholarly journals Fertilization influence on biomass yield and nutrient uptake of sweet corn in potentially hardsetting soil under no tillage

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronley C. Canatoy ◽  
Nonilona P. Daquiado
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Strength Development ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Hardsetting soils are considered problem soils due to its behavior of becoming hard and unbearable to cultivate not until rewetted. Few investigations were conducted in this kind of problem soil; hence, information about biomass yield and nutrient uptake is still elusive. This study investigated the impact of potentially hardsetting soil on the biomass yield and nutrient uptake of sweet corn under no-tillage cultivation system with varying fertilization treatments. Results The application of full NPK + 1 Mg ha−1 VC increased stover and grain yield by 26–106% and 11–135%, respectively. Approximately 64% and 112% of sweet corn stover and grain yield increased when treated with full NPK. Highly significant quadratic relationship (P < 0.001) was revealed between total biomass yield and nutrient uptake of sweet corn, implying that 98–99% of the variation in total biomass could be elucidated by its nutrient uptake. Further, this indicated the suitability of nutrient uptake function that could be used as an estimate in the progression of total biomass accumulation. The application of full NPK showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency across treatments. The soil in the experimental area was a potentially hardsetting soil due to its rapid soil strength development at least 4 days from wetting. This implies that with continued use, proper soil management must be implemented like reduced tillage and organic matter application to facilitate structure formation and binding of soil particles by labile fraction in organic matter. Conclusion Application of organic amendment in combination with inorganic fertilizer could be a sustainable production strategy on sweet corn production system in potentially hardsetting soil under no tillage through enhanced nutrient uptake and biomass accumulation.

Effect of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus on the yield, growth and nutrient status of ixodia daisy (Ixodia achillaeioides ssp. alata)

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 681 ◽  
Author(s):  
NA Maier ◽  
G Barth ◽  
M Bennell
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Extractable P ◽  
Yield Responses

The effect of annual applications of nitrogen (N), potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) on the yield, growth and nutrient status of Ixodia daisy (Ixodia achillaeioides ssp. alata) grown on a silty loam, was investigated in field experiments conducted during 1989-91 in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia. The experimental design was a randomised block with 3 replications. The N and K treatments, at annual rates up to 200 kg N/ha and 150 kg K/ha, were applied as 2 equal side-dressings. The P treatments, at rates up to 200 kg/ha, were broadcast as 1 annual application. To assess plant nutrient status we sampled the fifth leaf below the growing terminal of 50 stems in October and whole stems at harvest. As rate of applied N increased, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in total biomass harvested, number of 3040 and 41-50 cm stems, total number of marketable stems, plant height and width. Annual N application rates of 75-110 kg/ha were required for 95% of maximum biomass yield and number of marketable stems. The application of K did not significantly (P>0.05) affect yield or plant growth. First and second order interactions between N, K and year were not significant. Plant growth and yield responses to P applied as superphosphate were inconsistent and the interaction between P and year was not significant (P>0.05). Coefficients of determination (r2) for relationships between N, K and P concentrations in the fifth leaf samples v. total biomass yield and total stem number, were in the range 0.13-0.52 for the combined 1990 and 1991 data. Based on sensitivity, reproducibility and occurrence of the Piper-Steenbjerg effect, we concluded that N, K or P concentrations in the fifth leaf sampled in October, or in whole stems at harvest, were not reliable indicators of the nutrient status of Ixodia daisy. The application of N and P did not affect the concentration of minor or micronutrients in the fifth leaf. In contrast, the application of K increased calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) concentrations by 14.3, 33.3 and 12.2%, respectively. For a high density planting (13,000 plants) we estimated that for N, P and K, 69.4, 6.2 and 83.2 kg/ha, respectively, are removed in marketable stems. The application of P increased extractable-P concentrations in the surface (0-15 cm) soil from 22 to 73 mg/kg. We suggest that for surface (0-15 cm) soils, extractable-P and extractable-K concentrations in the ranges 15-95 and 210-260 mg/kg, respectively, are adequate and indicate that a yield response to the application of these nutrients in fertiliser may not occur.

A Study on the Farmers’ Awareness and Acceptance of Biofertilizers in Kottayam District

GIS Business ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 425-431
Author(s):  
Subin Thomas ◽  
Dr. M. Nandhini
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria ◽  
Nutrient Cycle ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting ◽  
Promote Plant Growth ◽  
Growth Promoting ◽  
Structured Questionnaire ◽  
Area Data

Biofertilizers are fertilizers containing microorganisms that promote plant growth by improving the supply of nutrients to the host plant. The supply of nutrients is improved naturally by nitrogen fixation and solubilizing phosphorus. The living microorganisms in biofertilizers help in building organic matter in the soil and restoring the natural nutrient cycle. Biofertilizers can be grouped into Nitrogen-fixing biofertilizers, Phosphorous-solubilizing biofertilizers, Phosphorous-mobilizing biofertilizers, Biofertilizers for micro nutrients and Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. This study conducted in Kottayam district was intended to identify the awareness and acceptance of biofertilizers among the farmers of the area. Data have been collected from 120 farmers by direct interviews with structured questionnaire.

scholarly journals Effect of Sewage Sludge Compost Usage on Corn and Faba Bean Growth, Carbon and Nitrogen Forms in Plants and Soil

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 628
Author(s):  
Hassan E. Abd Elsalam ◽  
Mohamed E. El- Sharnouby ◽  
Abdallah E. Mohamed ◽  
Bassem M. Raafat ◽  
Eman H. El-Gamal
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Nitrogen Forms ◽  
Amended Soils ◽  
Nitrogen Levels

Sewage sludge is an effective fertilizer in many soil types. When applied as an amendment, sludge introduces, in addition to organic matter, plant nutrients into the soil. When applied for cropland as a fertilizer, the mass loading of sewage sludge is customarily determined by inputs of N and/or P required to support optimal plant growth and a successful harvest. This study aims to examine the changes in organic matter contents and nitrogen forms in sludge-amended soils, as well as the growth of corn and faba bean plants. The main results indicated that there were higher responses to the corn and faba bean yields when sludge was added. Levels of organic carbon in soil were higher after maize harvest and decreased significantly after harvesting of beans, and were higher in sludge amended soils than unmodified soils, indicating the residual effect of sludge in soil. NO3−-N concentrations were generally higher in the soil after maize harvest than during the plant growth period, but this trend was not apparent in bean soil. The amounts of NH4+-N were close in the soil during the growth period or after the maize harvest, while they were higher in the soil after the bean harvest than they were during the growth period. Total nitrogen amounts were statistically higher in the soil during the growth period than those collected after the corn harvest, while they were approximately close in the bean soil. The total nitrogen amount in corn and bean leaves increased significantly in plants grown on modified sludge soil. There were no significant differences in the total nitrogen levels of the maize and beans planted on the treated soil.

Soil Augmentation by Humus: Replenishing lost soils and supplementing new ones

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemlata Bagla ◽  
Asma Khan
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Humic Acid ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Humic Substances ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Lunar Regolith ◽  
Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽  
Saline Stress ◽  
Plant Metabolites ◽  
Growth Phenomenon

&lt;p&gt;Earth&amp;#8217;s regolith consists of a vital component that is lacking on other planets &amp;#173;&amp;#173;&amp;#8211; the pedosphere or soil body &amp;#8211; that is rich in organic matter, soil fauna, minerals, water, gases, that together support life and is thus essential for plant growth. In stark contrast to our blue planet, Martian regolith is devoid of organic matter and contains crushed volcanic rocks, with high mineral content and toxic chemicals like perchlorates. Nevertheless, Martian and Lunar regolith simulants formulated by NASA, have been experimented for crop growth by addition of organic matter suitable to bind xenobiotics and provide ample nutrients, as an essential step towards expanding our horizon in the extensive field of soil sciences.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Soil is an ecosystem as a whole and acts as a modifier of planet Earth&amp;#8217;s atmosphere. The organic matter present in it originates mainly from plant metabolites with the onset of senescence and humification. Humic substances thus formed in the pedosphere exhibit exceptional characteristics for soil conditioning. Besides providing nutrients and aeration to the soil, they interact and bind with toxic heavy metals, radionuclides, pesticides, industrial dyes, and other xenobiotics that may be present as pollutants in the ecosystem, thus acting as natural sieves. As top soils have maximum organic matter, essential for plant growth, phenomenon like soil erosion leave the soils devoid of humic substances. Another major reason for soil degradation is excessive salinity, leading to osmotic and ionic stress in plants, eventually reducing their growth. Addition of humic acid in soils provides protection against high saline stress and minimizes yield losses. In India, one of the leading agrarian countries, it is a common practice to enrich soils with manure, which is an inexpensive form of humus-boost for the crops. Such practices aid the cyclic flow of organic matter in the environment, against the background of widespread soil degradation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Another global form of soil degradation is radioactive contamination of soils which occurs mainly due to nuclear accidents and improper practices of radioactive waste disposal. In order to explore such interactions with humic acid following Green technique, batch biosorption studies were performed over a range of parameters, with radionuclides Cs and Sr that are found in low level radioactive wastes. Biosorption percentages of 91&amp;#177;2% and 84&amp;#177;1% were obtained for Cs and Sr respectively. The technique is chemical-free and emphasizes the &amp;#8216;nature for nature&amp;#8217; outlook of solving environmental problems. Humic acid and its various forms thus act as traps for radionuclides and work as excellent restorative soil stimulants that supplement depleted soils, boost plant growth, and play a vital role in sustaining life on Earth.&lt;/p&gt;

Effects of organic matter and time of incorporation on root development of tropical maize seedlings

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-178
Author(s):  
U. Sangakkara ◽  
S. Nissanka ◽  
P. Stamp
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Root Growth ◽  
Rice Straw ◽  
Organic Materials ◽  
Gliricidia Sepium ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
The Impact

Smallholders in the tropics add different organic materials to their crops at different times, based on the availability of materials and labour. However, the time of application could have an effect on the establishment and early growth of crops, especially their root systems, which has not yet been clearly identified. This paper presents the results of a study conducted under greenhouse conditions using soils from a field treated with three organic materials at 4 or 2 weeks before or at the planting of maize seeds, corresponding to the times that tropical smallholders apply these materials. The organic materials used were leaves of Gliricidia sepium and Tithonia diversifolia or rice straw, incorporated at a rate equivalent to 6 Mt ha −1 . A control treatment where no organic matter was added was used for comparison. The impact of the treatments on soil properties at the planting of maize seed and detailed root analysis based on root lengths were carried out until the last growth stage (V4). The addition of organic matter improved the soil characteristics, and the impact of adding Gliricidia leaves was most pronounced when incorporated 2 weeks before planting. The benefits of leaves of Tithonia or rice straw on soil quality parameters were clearly evident when added 4 weeks before planting. Organic matter enhanced the root number, root length, root growth rate and branching indices. All the organic materials suppressed the growth of maize roots when applied at planting, suggesting the existence of allelopathic effects, which could result in poor growth. The most benefits in terms of root growth were observed with Tithonia .

Culture of Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in Sand Root Media Amended with Three Fertilizers

Weed Science ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Sutton
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Tissue ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Hydrilla Verticillata ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Pond Water ◽  
Sand Soil ◽  
Plant Weight ◽  
Root Media ◽  
Tuber Production

Hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata(L.f.) Royle # HYLLI] was grown for 4 to 16 weeks in pans filled with either an organic muck-sand soil, sand, or sand mixed with Osmocote, Esmigran, and dolomite under outdoor conditions in plastic-lined pools with flowing pond water. Dry weight for plants cultured in sand plus the fertilizers was dependent on the concentration of fertilizer and was from 6 to 14 times that of plants cultured in sand alone. Dry weight was also higher for three treatments of sand amended with fertilizer than for plants cultured in the organic muck-sand soil. Water temperature for different growth periods influenced dry weight of hydrilla cultured with all three root media. Tuber production was independent of three levels of fertilizer for 16 weeks of plant growth, but plant weight was dependent on the concentration of nutrients in the root zone. Of nine plant tissue nutrients measured, only phosphorus in both the shoots and roots was dependent on the level of fertilizer in the root zone. This suggests that growth of hydrilla is controlled by nutrients in the root zone. The use of sand amended with various levels of fertilizers may be a way to simulate fertility levels of sediments as a method to study aquatic sites for their potential to support growth of hydrilla.

scholarly journals Comparison on biomass production of three fodder germplasms

2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
AR Kanak ◽  
MJ Khan ◽  
MR Debi ◽  
ZH Khandakar ◽  
MK Pikar
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Fresh Biomass ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Dry Biomass ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
Brachiaria Mutica

The experiment was conducted to study the comparison on biomass production of fodder germplasm. Para (Brachiaria mutica Stapf.), German (Echinochloa crusgalli L.) and Dhal (Hymenachne pseudointerrupta C. Muell) grasses were cultivated in a completely randomized design (CRD). The whole area was divided into nine plots. The area of each unit plot was 6 m x 6 m. Number of cuttings were 16,000 /hectare where Plant to Plant distance was 16 cm and row and raw distance was 16 cm. Equal amount of organic and chemical fertilizer were applied in all cutting. The fodders were first harvested after 60 days of planting, second and third after successive 60 days of re-growth. The findings of the study showed that fresh biomass (p<0.01) and dry biomass yield (p<0.05) of three fodder germplasm differed significantly. Crude protein and organic matter yield were significant (p<0.01) only in the second cutting. German grass was showed significantly higher in CP and OM yield (p<0.01) at second cutting than other grasses. However, no significant effect on plant height was observed among three grasses. From the above findings it may be concluded that among the three fodder germplasm, German fodder showed best result in respect of biomass production. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v42i1.15772 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2013. 42 (1): 35-39

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