Root Substrate pH, Electrical Conductivity, and Macroelement Concentration of Sphagnum Peat-based Substrates Amended with Parboiled Fresh Rice Hulls or Perlite

Gachukia, Mary M.; Evans, Michael R.

doi:10.21273/horttech.18.4.644

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…2; Table 4) and resulted in a gradual increase from 1.6 to 9 mg • L -1 throughout the experiment. Potassium release from the control substrate was similar to leachable K levels in sphagnum peat reported by others (Evans et al, 2011;Gachukia and Evans, 2008).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 85%

Effect of Biochar Type on Macronutrient Retention and Release from Soilless Substrate

Altland

Locke²

2013

horts

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A series of column studies were conducted to determine the influence of three different biochar types on nitrate, phosphate, and potassium retention and leaching in a typical greenhouse soilless substrate. A commercial substrate composed of 85 sphagnum peatmoss : 15 perlite (v:v) was amended with 10% by volume of three different biochar types including: gasified rice hull biochar (GRHB), sawdust biochar (SDB), and a bark and wood biochar (BWB). The non-amended control substrate, along with substrates amended with one of three biochar materials, were each packed into three columns. Columns were drenched with nutrient solution and leached to determine the impact of biochar on nutrient retention and leaching. Nitrate release curves were exponential and peaked lower, at later leaching events, and had higher residual nitrate release over time with each biochar amendment. The impact of biochar amendment on phosphate retention and release was more variable within and across the two experiments. In both experiments, the GRHB was a net source of phosphate, providing more phosphate to the system than the fertilizer application and hence obscuring any retention and release effect it might have. Potassium release varied by amendment type within each experiment, but within each amendment type was relatively consistent across the two experiments. All biochar types were a source of potassium, with GRHB providing more than SDB, but both providing far more potassium than the fertilizer event. The BWB amendment resulted in more leached potassium than the control substrate, but relatively little compared with GRHB and SDB amendments.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 85%

Effect of Biochar Type on Macronutrient Retention and Release from Soilless Substrate

Altland

Locke²

2013

horts

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“…Only the deepest mulch layer of 2.50 cm sporadically reduced NO 3 or NH 4 + concentrations. Gachukia and Evans (2008) reported slightly increasing NO 3 and decreasing NH 4 + concentrations in leachates from substrates with increasing PBH percentages immediately after mixing peat and PBH substrate blends.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Effect of Rice Hull Mulch on Nutrient Concentration of Fertilized Irrigation Water

Altland

Boldt²

2017

horts

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Parboiled rice hulls (PBH) have been shown to be an effective mulch for weed control in container crops. As with other mulch products, there is concern that PBH mulch would interfere with nutrient delivery to the crop. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of PBH mulch on nutrient concentration of fertilized irrigation water as it passes through the mulch layer, and the subsequent effect on growth and nutrition of container-grown sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Parboiled rice hull mulch was placed in Buchner funnels at a depth of 0, 0.63, 1.25, or 2.50 cm. Irrigation was applied with a water-soluble fertilizer (20N–4.4P–16.6K) injected at a concentration of 100 mg·L−1 N. Filtrates were collected after passing through the PBH in the Buchner funnels and analyzed for nutrient concentration. In a separate study, sunflower in no. 3 containers were mulched with the same depths of PBH and irrigated with water fertilized similar to that in the funnel experiment. Parboiled rice hull mulch caused a temporary and slight decrease in NO3− and NH4+ concentration. Phosphate and K+ concentrations generally increased with each irrigation event. Calcium and Mg exhibited an inverse relationship where the PBH mulch decreased Ca and increased Mg concentrations in the filtrates. Despite these measured differences in the chemical properties of water passing through the mulch layer, there were no measurable differences in sunflower growth or physical appearance, and only minor and inconsequential differences in plant nutrient status. Rice hull mulches are likely to have very minor effects on container crop nutrition with no adverse effect on plant growth over a 6 week production cycle as used in this experiment.

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Guar, jantar, wheat straw, and rice hull composts as replacements for peat in muskmelon transplant production

Mustafa

Ali

Smith

et al. 2016

Int J Recycl Org Waste Agricult

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Purpose The demand for soilless media for vegetable transplant production is increasing. Economic constraints paired with concerns over the sustainability of peat mining have necessitated the replacement of peat with renewable and regionally abundant alternatives. The aim of this study was to develop from composts complete or partial substitutes for peat. Methods Composted guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), jantar (Sesbania aculeata), wheat (Triticum aestivum) straw, and rice (Oryza sativa) hulls adjusted to 10% airfilled porosity (AFP) were blended on a volumetric basis with peat moss at discrete levels (0-50%). Total waterholding capacity, shrinkage, dry and wet bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, N, P, K, FE, B, and Zn concentrations of each compost, their blends, and a peat control were measured. The experimental media were used to grow muskmelon (Cucumis melo) plants in a greenhouse. Seed germination, shoot fresh weight, shoot height, leaf area, stem diameter, root length, and mineral nutrient concentrations of transplants were quantified. After transplanting in the field, the growth rates and yields were measured.Nonparametric regression was used to analyze the data. Results The physiochemical parameters measured for most of the experimental media fell within the recommended range for growing media; however, pH for all media exceeded the recommended range. Media-containing guar and jantar composts generally contained more nutrients than media-containing rice hull or wheat straw composts. Fresh weight, height, and root length were generally greater for seedlings grown in media-containing rice hull compost than for those grown in media-containing other composts. Seedlings grown in media-containing guar or jantar composts generally had greater tissue nutrient concentrations. Conclusions All blends produced acceptable seedlings; however, the largest seedlings, and greatest post-transplant growth rate and yield were produced in media containing 30-50% rice hull compost.

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Root Substrate pH, Electrical Conductivity, and Macroelement Concentration of Sphagnum Peat-based Substrates Amended with Parboiled Fresh Rice Hulls or Perlite

Cited by 8 publications

References 9 publications

Effect of Biochar Type on Macronutrient Retention and Release from Soilless Substrate

Effect of Biochar Type on Macronutrient Retention and Release from Soilless Substrate

Effect of Rice Hull Mulch on Nutrient Concentration of Fertilized Irrigation Water

Guar, jantar, wheat straw, and rice hull composts as replacements for peat in muskmelon transplant production

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