Evaluation of two green composts for peat substitution in geranium (Pelargonium zonale L.) cultivation: Effect on plant growth, quality, nutrition, and photosynthesis

Massa, Daniele; Malorgio, Fernando; Lazzereschi, S.; Carmassi, Giulia; Prisa, Domenico; Burchi, G.

doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2017.10.025

Cited by 47 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Even within the different green composts there are differences concerning the quality of the compost. For instance, only the use of selected raw material from greenhouse vegetables, nursery shrubs, and green wastes, i.e., plant trimmings, prunings, and crop residues, could contribute to the production of high-quality compost [87]. The selected green compost was found to be a valuable growing medium for peat substitution, while the green compost derived from mixed raw material negatively influenced Pelargonium plant nutrition and photosynthesis, thus significantly reducing plant biomass accumulation and quality.…”

Section: Feedstock Waste Use As Growing Medium For Plant Production Rmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Raw material selection increases the production costs of compost. Therefore, according to Massa et al [87], efforts should involve the adaptation of new technologies for tracking raw materials and supporting sustainable circular chains for compost production at a local level. In addition, strict quality control procedures are essential in preparing composts for use in growing media [22].…”

Section: Feedstock Waste Use As Growing Medium For Plant Production Rmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Increasing Sustainability of Growing Media Constituents and Stand-Alone Substrates in Soilless Culture Systems

2019

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Decreasing arable land, rising urbanization, water scarcity, and climate change exert pressure on agricultural producers. Moving from soil to soilless culture systems can improve water use efficiency, especially in closed-loop systems with a recirculating water/nutrient solution that recaptures the drain water for reuse. However, the question of alternative materials to peat and rockwool, as horticultural substrates, has become increasingly important, due to the despoiling of ecologically important peat bog areas and a pervasive waste problem. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive critical review of current developments in soilless culture, growing media, and future options of using different materials other than peat and rockwool. Apart from growing media properties and their performance from the point of view of plant production, economic and environmental factors are also important. Climate change, CO 2 emissions, and other ecological issues will determine and drive the development of soilless culture systems and the choice of growing media in the near future. Bioresources, e.g., treated and untreated waste, as well as renewable raw materials, have great potential to be used as growing media constituents and stand-alone substrates. A waste management strategy aimed at reducing, reusing, and recycling should be further and stronger applied in soilless culture systems. We concluded that the growing media of the future must be available, affordable, and sustainable and meet both quality and environmental requirements from growers and society, respectively.

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Section: Feedstock Waste Use As Growing Medium For Plant Production Rmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Feedstock Waste Use As Growing Medium For Plant Production Rmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increasing Sustainability of Growing Media Constituents and Stand-Alone Substrates in Soilless Culture Systems

2019

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“…Indeed, several studies have investigated the potential of waste derived from agriculture, specifically nutshells, rice husks, coconut fiber, cattle manure and peanut shells [13][14][15][16][17][18]. Municipal wastes are also of interest; these include green compost, vermicompost and sewage sludge [16,19,20]. Finally, industrial by-products (e.g., biochar, pine bark and bamboo residues) have been studied [16,21,22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cultivation Substrate Composition Influences Morphology, Volatilome and Essential Oil of Lavandula Angustifolia Mill.

et al. 2019

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Aromatic plants are commonly produced for ornamental, cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Their morphological traits and the amounts and compositions of the volatile substances and essential oils (EOs) produced can be influenced by several factors, including the cultivation technique. In the present study, the influence of substrate composition on Lavandula angustifolia Mill. production was evaluated. In particular, substrates containing mixes of peat (P), green compost (C) and/or demolition aggregates (A) were tested in the following ratios: 70%:30% v/v, P:C; 70%:30% v/v, P:A; and 40%:30%:30% v/v, P:C:A. The P:C mixture allowed to obtain the best results in terms of survival rate, compactness of the plant and flower production. The P:C:A led to higher yields and better quality of EOs, with higher amounts of linalool, an important compound for medicinal uses. The volatiles and the blooming trend were not affected by the different cultivation substrates. Therefore, substrate composition in pot lavender cultivation can be regulated depending on the final use of the plant, successfully using locally sourced material in addition to peat.

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“…Other studies that investigated processed or composted alternatives to peat found differences in physical and chemical properties when peat alternatives were included at rates $50% (Alvarez et al, 2017;Massa et al, 2018;Vaughn et al, 2013). For example, the use of composts at inclusion rates up to 70% increased mix pH and EC relative to peat, but composts generally improved plant growth (Massa et al, 2018).…”

Section: Composted Corn Stover As An Alternative To Peatmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alternatives to peat use are being explored to address concerns regarding reduced long-term sustainability associated with peat harvesting. Potential alternatives include coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) fibers (coir), composts, rice (Oryza sativa L.) hulls, wood chips, biochar, and others (Abad et al, 2002;Alvarez et al, 2017;Buck and Evans, 2010;Barrett et al, 2016;Margenot et al, 2018;Massa et al, 2018;Suo et al, 2013;Xiong et al, 2017). For example, Buck and Evans (2010) and Sambo et al (2008) found that rice hulls have properties similar to those of peat.…”

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confidence: 99%

Using Processed Corn Stover as an Alternative to Peat

Ruis¹,

Blanco‐Canqui²,

Paparozzi³

et al. 2019

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Processed corn (Zea mays L.) stover (PCS), defined as finely ground stover with or without additions, could be a potential alternative to peat in greenhouse mixes. However, this option has not yet been examined. We performed two split-plot experiments (1 and 2) with tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and marigolds (Tagetes patula L.) as main plots. Expt. 1 involved five stover rates (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% by volume) mixed with peat as subplots. Expt. 2 involved 0% stover mixed with peat, 25% distillers grain, and 50% quick compost (mechanically processed to accelerate compost process) stover with and without CaO, and 75% quick compost stover without CaO, as subplots. We measured growth parameters (height, dry weight, and flower number) and properties of the mixes. During Expt. 1, across both species, the addition of stover at rates >50% reduced relative greenness by 40%, vegetative biomass yield by 74%, and reproductive biomass yield by 73% compared to mixes with 0% and 25% stover. As the stover rate increased, available water content in the mixes decreased (r = −0.34; P < 0.001). Mixes with 0% and 25% stover had 34% more available water than mixes with 100% stover, which probably reduced plant growth in the 100% stover treatment. As the stover rate increased, plant tissue N and P concentrations decreased. Mixes with 0% stover generally had greater N and P concentrations than mixes with stover. During Expt. 2, for marigolds, the addition of 50% quick compost stover+CaO and 75% quick compost stover-CaO reduced relative greenness by 19% and vegetative biomass by 66% compared to mixes with 25% distillers grain or 0% stover. For tomatoes, the addition of 50% quick compost stover+CaO and 75% quick compost stover-CaO reduced biomass yield by 64%, which may be due to the higher pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of both treatments. Plant tissue N and P concentrations were greater in the mix with 25% distillers grain compared to most treatments, but N and P concentrations in the other mixes varied. Overall, the 25% distillers grain (3 peat: 1 distiller grain: 4 perlite) and 25% stover (3 peat: 1 stover: 4 perlite) treatments showed the most promise as additives in a peat-based mix.

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Evaluation of two green composts for peat substitution in geranium (Pelargonium zonale L.) cultivation: Effect on plant growth, quality, nutrition, and photosynthesis

Cited by 47 publications

References 40 publications

Increasing Sustainability of Growing Media Constituents and Stand-Alone Substrates in Soilless Culture Systems

Increasing Sustainability of Growing Media Constituents and Stand-Alone Substrates in Soilless Culture Systems

Cultivation Substrate Composition Influences Morphology, Volatilome and Essential Oil of Lavandula Angustifolia Mill.

Using Processed Corn Stover as an Alternative to Peat

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