Compost-Containing Substrates and Their Effect on Posttransplant Growth of Containerized Tree Seedlings

Abstract

Greenhouse studies were undertaken to determine the influence of composted media on the posttransplant growth of containerized red maple, sugar maple, and green ash seedlings. Before planting, the chemical and physical properties of each substrate were measured. For media containing composted biosolids, pH was significantly higher, whereas electrical conductivity, air-filled porosity, and total pore space were significantly lower than in a composted medium without biosolids. For composted substrates containing at least some soil, bulk density, particle density, and container capacity were all significantly greater than for composts without any soil. Growth of red maple was about the same in a noncomposted soilless medium (Metro-mix 360) as it was in substrates containing biosolid compost. Height growth, total biomass, and root biomass of green ash were all significantly greater for seedlings grown in Metro-mix 360 only, and the growth of sugar maple seedlings was about the same in Metro-mix 360 or in a composted substrate without biosolids (Metro-mix 560). The results of this study suggest no particular short-term growth advantage of using composted media as backfill amendments when transplanting; however, the addition of composts could be beneficial in improving the chemical and physical properties of native soils, particularly urban soils containing very low levels of organic matter.

Response of Antidesma Bunius Tree Seedlings to Some Agricultural Treatments

“…The superiority of compost, especially 100 g/plant may be attributed to the mode of action of organic manure on the physical, chemical and biological soil characters, leading to increase the plant height (Follet et al 1981 andSaha et al, 1995), organic manures can use as alternative to mineral fertilizers for enhancing soil structure and microbial biomass. Similar results were obtained by several authors (Mansour, 2002;Suresh et al, 2004;Ahmed et al, 2006;Roberts, 2006;Dauda et al, 2008;Kitczak andCzyz, 2014 andSoliman, 2019).…”

“…Organic manures can serve as alternative to mineral fertilizers for improving soil structure and microbial biomass (Mansour, 2002;Suresh et al, 2004;Ahmed et al, 2006;Roberts, 2006;Dauda et al, 2008;Kitczak andCzyz, 2014 andSoliman, 2019).…”

Compost Increases Soil Fertility and Promotes the Growth of Five Tropical Species Used in Urban Forestry

“…In this study, pH changed from acidic (6.3) to slightly alkaline (7.8), an increase of 1.5 units. Most studies report that the addition of compost increases the pH between zero and one unit (Cogger, 2005;Roberts, 2006). However, the changes are proportional to the application rate and the initial pH value (Nanda and Berruti, 2021) and also depend on the origin and composition of the waste (Bhunia et al, 2021).…”