The Challenge of Peat Substitution in Organic Seedling Production: Optimization of Growing Media Formulation through Mixture Design and Response Surface Analysis

Ceglie, F.G.; Bustamante, M.A.; Amara, Mouna Ben; Tittarelli, Fabio

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0128600

Cited by 92 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…However, the increasing demand for peat as a growing medium in horticulture and its rising cost have intensified the search for alternative high-quality and low-cost substrates. Because of this, different materials, such as residual biomasses and, especially, organic wastes, mostly after proper composting, have been studied as peat substitutes in potting media (Ceglie et al, 2015).…”

Section: A C C E P T E D Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Agri-food sludge management using different co-composting strategies: study of the added value of the composts obtained

Morales

Bustamante

Marhuenda-Egea

et al. 2016

Journal of Cleaner Production

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The growth of the agri-food industry has resulted in a strong increase in its sludge generation. This type of waste is often produced in high amounts, concentrated in certain areas, and shows characteristics similar to those of municipal sewage sludge (except for the absence of heavy metals). Composting has been widely studied as a viable alternative for the treatment and recycling of municipal sewage sludge, but little information is currently available concerning the composting of agri-food sludge. Thus, the aim of this work was to increase our knowledge of how the vegetable-derived sludge produced by the agri-food sector can be managed using different co-composting strategies. The work was concerned mainly with the characteristics of the bulking agents used (type and particle size) and their effects on the development of the process and on the potential added value of the composts obtained. For this, four composting piles were prepared using agri-food sludge and two bulking agents (vine shoot prunings and pepper plant pruning waste) at two particle sizes (< 1 cm and < 3 cm). The evolution of the process and the final properties of the composts obtained were studied using classical analytical methods together with advanced instrumental methods (thermal analysis and excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy). In addition, their physical characteristics and potential suppression of phytopathogens (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis) were determined. The results showed differences according to the type and size of bulking agent, the mixtures with vine shoot prunings having a higher biodegradability, which was confirmed by thermogravimetry and EEM fluorescence spectroscopy. Melon plants grown in a mixture which included compost produced using vine pruning waste had a greater shoot weight than those grown on peat alone, while the mixture including compost derived from pepper pruning waste gave a shoot weight similar to that of peat-grown plants. Furthermore, the composts elaborated M A N U S C R I P T A C C E P T E D ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 3 using vine shoot prunings had added value with respect to their use as growing media components for seedling production of melon, due to their suppression of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis. Therefore, this study has shown that the nature of the bulking agent used is of major importance not only for the development of the composting process, but also for the final properties and potential added value of the end-products obtained.

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Section: A C C E P T E D Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Agri-food sludge management using different co-composting strategies: study of the added value of the composts obtained

Morales

Bustamante

Marhuenda-Egea

et al. 2016

Journal of Cleaner Production

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“…The organic component provides high porosity, low bulk density, and nutrient retention (e.g., water, nutrient ions) (Raviv et al, 1986), which makes Sphagnum peat moss a strongly suitable option with widespread use (Carlile et al, 2015;Robinson and Lamb, 1975). However, increasing expense and competing uses for peat (Caron et al, 2015), impacts of its harvest on wetland ecosystems (Barkham, 1993;Robertson, 1993), including loss of peat bogs as a key global C sink (Cleary et al, 2005), and its perception as unsustainable (Caron et al, 2015) have spurred recent investigations of substitutes for peat in soil-free substrates, including biomass waste products such as compost and sawdust (e.g., Ceglie et al, 2015;Maas and Adamson, 1972;Wright et al, 2009;Álvarez et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substitution of peat moss with softwood biochar for soil-free marigold growth

Margenot

Griffin

Alves

et al. 2018

Industrial Crops and Products

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A B S T R A C TPeat moss has historically been a key component of soil-free substrates in the greenhouse and nursery industries. However, the increasing expense of peat, negative impacts of peat mining on wetland ecosystems, and growing perception of peat as unsustainable have led to investigation for alternatives. Biochar (BC) is a promising substitute for peat, yet the majority of studies examine additions of BC to peat-based substrates rather than replacing the peat component or employ relatively low substitution rates. Furthermore, at high substitution rates the alkalinity common to many BCs may increase substrate pH and adversely impact plant production. We evaluated BC substitution for peat and pH adjustment of resulting substrates on marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) performance under standard greenhouse conditions. A high pH (10.9) softwood BC (800°C) was substituted for peat in a standard 70:30 (v/v) peat:perlite mixture at 10% total volume increments. Substrate pH was either not adjusted or adjusted to pH 5.8 using a BC by-product, pyroligneous acid (PLA). Germination was inhibited in pH adjusted substrates with high BC substitution (50-70% total substrate volume) likely due to higher dosages of PLA needed to neutralize pH. At harvest (flowering stage, 9 weeks) the initial pH gradient (4.4-10.4) in substrates that were not pH adjusted had converged to pH 5.6-7.5, and BC substitution for peat did not negatively impact marigold biomass or flowering. At low substitution rates (10-30% total substrate volume), marigold biomass and leaf SPAD values were greater than the control peat-perlite mixture (0% BC). This study demonstrates that softwood BC can be considered as a full replacement for peat in soil-free substrates, and even at high rates (70% total substrate volume) does not require pH adjustment for marigold production. Crop-and BC-specific considerations and economic potential should be investigated for wider application.

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“…In soilless potting media, high pH values, such as those measured in guar and jantar compost blends, can greatly reduce the availability of P and many micronutrients, leading to nutrient deficiencies (Dole and Wilkins 1999). The EC of all composts and their blends fell below the recommended threshold of \500 lS cm for composts in potting media (Ceglie et al 2015). The decrease of EC with the addition of guar and jantar composts may be due to more moisture contained in these composts with higher TWHC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

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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The Challenge of Peat Substitution in Organic Seedling Production: Optimization of Growing Media Formulation through Mixture Design and Response Surface Analysis

Cited by 92 publications

References 33 publications

Agri-food sludge management using different co-composting strategies: study of the added value of the composts obtained

Agri-food sludge management using different co-composting strategies: study of the added value of the composts obtained

Substitution of peat moss with softwood biochar for soil-free marigold growth

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

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