Mixed Hardwood and Sugarcane Bagasse Biochar as Potting Mix Components for Container Tomato and Basil Seedling Production

Yu, Ping; Li, Qiansheng; Huang, Lan; Niu, Genhua; Gu, Mengmeng

doi:10.3390/app9214713

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Guo et al [62] found that the air space increased as the pine wood BC rate increased. Yu et al [63] indicated that the air space increased with the increasing mixed hardwood BC incorporation rate from 10% to 100% (by volume), but the trend was totally opposite for sugarcane bagasse BC. Another research showed that the substitution of peat with 10% (by volume) sewage sludge BC caused no difference on the air space in comparison with the 100% peat substrate control [64].…”

Section: Physical Properties Of the Container Substratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar and Vermicompost Amendments Affect Substrate Properties and Plant Growth of Basil and Tomato

Huang

Gu²,

et al. 2020

Agronomy

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The suitability of biochar (BC) as a container substrate depends on the BC mix ratio and plant species. Mixes with mixed hardwood BC (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%, by volume) and vermicompost (VC; 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, by volume) were evaluated as container substrates on basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. ‘Roma’) plants compared to a commercial peat-based substrate (CS). The CS made up the rest of the volume when BC and VC did not add up to 100%. The total porosity of all mixes with BC, VC, and CS (BC:VC:CS mixes) was similar to the control. Mixes with 80% BC had lower container capacity than the control. At 9 weeks after transplanting, the leachate pH of all the BC:VC:CS mixes was higher than that of the control, except for mixes of 20%BC and 5%VC with the rest (75%) being CS (20BC:5VC:75CS) and 20BC:10VC:70CS with tomato plants. The soil plant analysis development (SPAD) readings in BC:VC:CS mixes were similar to or higher than the control except for tomato plants in 80BC:5VC:15CS, 80BC:15VC:5CS, and 80BC:20VC:0CS mixes. Plants in BC:VC:CS mixes had similar growth indexes and total dry weight with respect to those in 100% CS, with the root DW of basil plants in 60BC:15VC:25CS being the highest among all treatments. Therefore, the BC (20%, 40%, 60%, or 80%, by volume) and VC (5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%, by volume) mixes had the potential to replace CS for container-grown plants, with the estimate wholesale price for 80BC:5VC:15CS was only 61.6% that of the control.

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Section: Physical Properties Of the Container Substratesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar and Vermicompost Amendments Affect Substrate Properties and Plant Growth of Basil and Tomato

Huang

Gu²,

et al. 2020

Agronomy

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“…Thus, even with the same feedstock, the properties such as surface area and pore volume will vary with temperature [35]. In addition, the application of biochar and the effects of the production of greenhouse seedlings or subsequent growth of seedlings have been less reported [34,36]. In the recent years, the field of seedling and potting horticultural plants has been significantly increased [37][38][39].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biochar Type, Ratio, and Nutrient Levels in Growing Media Affects Seedling Production and Plant Performance

et al. 2020

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Biochar can be used as an alternative component in growing media, positively affecting plant growth/yield, but also media properties. In the present study, two commercial grade biochars (BFW-forest wood; and BTS-fresh wood screening), mainly wood-based materials, were used at 7.5% and 15% (v/v), adding nutrient in two levels (100% and 150% standard fertilizer level-Fert). Biochar affected growing media properties, with increases on pH and changes on the nutrient content levels. Biochar BFW enhanced the emergence of seeds in comparison to the control. Increased fertilizer levels benefited plant yield in BFW and BTS at 7.5%, but not at 15%. Leaf stomatal conductance was reduced at 150% fertilized biochars (BFW + Fert and BTS + Fert) at 7.5%, while total chlorophylls increased at BTS + Fert at 7.5% and 15%. The addition of biochars decreased the antioxidant activity in the plant. Lipid peroxidation in lettuce was increased in most cases with the presence of biochars (BFW, BTS) and 150% fertilization, activating antioxidant (superoxide oxidase and peroxidase) enzymatic metabolisms. The addition of Biochars in the growing media increased the content of nutrients in seedlings, as plants could absorb more available nutrients. Biochar of beech, spruce, and pine species (BFW) at 7.5% was more promising for substituting peat to produce lettuce seedlings. However, examining different species (tomato, leek, impatiens, and geranium) with BFW at 7.5%, the results were not common, and each species needs to be evaluated further.

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“…mixed hardwood BC with two composts resulted in similar or better basil and tomato plant growth compared to a peat moss-based commercial substrate. Similarly, Yu et al [26] showed that up to 70% (vol.) of mixed hardwood BC or sugarcane bagasse BC blended with peat moss can be used to grow container tomato and basil seedlings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

The Effects of Mixed Hardwood Biochar, Mycorrhizae, and Fertigation on Container Tomato and Pepper Plant Growth

Li²,

Huang

et al. 2020

Sustainability

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Biochar (BC) has the potential as a peat moss alternative for container plant growth. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of mixed hardwood BC, compost types, mycorrhizae, and fertigation on container-grown tomato and pepper growth. In experiment 1 (Exp1), BC at 50%, 70%, and 90% (vol.) were mixed with 5% vermicompost (VC) with the rest being a commercial peat moss-based substrate (CS) and fertigated at 200 or 300 mg L−1 N. In experiment 2 (Exp2), 80% BC was mixed with chicken manure compost (CM; 5% or 10%) and CS and fertigated at 100 or 200 mg L−1 N. In experiment 3 (Exp3), 90% BC was blended with CS and fertigated at 200 or 300 mg L−1 N. Mixes in all the three experiments were added with or without mycorrhizae. Results showed that, compared with CS, in Exp1 tomato and pepper plants grown in BC-VC mixes had similar soil-plant analyses development (SPAD), growth index (GI), and total dry weight (TDW); in Exp2 and Exp3, plants in BC mixes (80% or 90%) had lower GI and TDW. In conclusion, BC (≤70%) amended with VC mixes could be used for container tomato and pepper production without negatively affecting plant growth, while BC (80%, 90%) mixes could have some negative impacts on plant growth.

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Mixed Hardwood and Sugarcane Bagasse Biochar as Potting Mix Components for Container Tomato and Basil Seedling Production

Cited by 18 publications

References 40 publications

Biochar and Vermicompost Amendments Affect Substrate Properties and Plant Growth of Basil and Tomato

Biochar and Vermicompost Amendments Affect Substrate Properties and Plant Growth of Basil and Tomato

Biochar Type, Ratio, and Nutrient Levels in Growing Media Affects Seedling Production and Plant Performance

The Effects of Mixed Hardwood Biochar, Mycorrhizae, and Fertigation on Container Tomato and Pepper Plant Growth

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