Yield Compounds and Nutrient Elements of Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) under Different Growing Media

Production of cut flowers is very prevalent in Iran. Carnation is most famous for its use as a cut flower. This study was carried out in the research greenhouse of Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, to explore the effect of different growing media on some vegetative and reproductive traits of carnation. The experimental design was randomized complete, using 50% perlite and different growing media including: mineral soil and coco peat in 6 proportions (50% coco peat, 10% soil + 40% coco peat, 20% soil + 30% coco peat, 30% soil + 20% coco peat, 40% soil + 10% coco peat, 50% soil). During growth period, irrigation rate, humidity and temperature were similar. The growth characteristics of carnation were determined at the end of growth period. The results indicated that although there were no significant differences between studied growing substrates in chlorophyll a, b. Statistical analysis showed fresh weight of flower was far greater in coco peat 10% + soil 40% and soil 50% compared to other growing media. Fresh and dry weight of root and shoot in soil 50% were higher than other growing media. The results showed that highest concentration of Fe and Zn was observed in coco peat 40% + soil 10%. The concentration of Mn in coco peat 10% + soil 40% was higher than other growing media. The results showed that the highest Ca concentration was observed in soil 50% and the lowest concentration of this element was obtained in coco peat 50%. According to the obtained results, mineral soil can be used as a suitable alternative to cocopeat for cultivation and growth of carnation in greenhouse.

Biochar from sawmill residues:characterization and evaluation for its potential use in the horticultural growing media

Peat remains the primary constituent of horticultural growing media in professional use.However,use of peat in horticultural growing media results in greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss due to excavation of natural peatlands.Biochar is gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to peat use in horticulture.This study examined the potential of biochar produced from a particular type of sawmill residue,as a partial replacement for peat in horticultural growing media.Five treatments including peat only,biochar only,biochar and peat in 1:1,1:3,and 3:1(V/V)ratios were assessed.The addition of biochar into growing media increased the pH and EC of the medium.However,physical properties(air-filled porosity and water holding capacity)were negatively affected with the increase in biochar content in the medium.According to the germination test results,biochar significantly improved germination and the shoot and root length of germinated seeds of cress,lettuce and tomato when compared to peat-only and biochar-only treatments.The inclusion of biochar in 25-50%volume ratio improved plant growth parameters compared to peat-only and biochar-only media.Results obtained from this study suggest that sawmill residue offers great potential as a feedstock for biochar production and inclusion of biochar has positive effects on seed germination and plant growth that might compete with modified peat.

Effects of different growing media on the cut flower performances of oriental two Lilium varieties

In this study,six different growing media(peat+pumice:1:1,v/v;peat+perlite:1:1,v/v;rice hull+pumice:1:2,v/v;coarse sand+peat:2:1,v/v;soil;and cocopeat)were evaluated for their effects on the plant growth and flower quality of the oriental‘Siberia’and‘Vespucci’lily varieties.Seven hundred and twenty bulbs were planted in perforated plastic crates and placed in an unheated greenhouse.The physical and chemical properties of the growing media were examined.The number of days to flowering,plant height,the number of flowers,fresh stem weight,the number of leaves and vase life were investigated in the study.The results indicated that the use of soilless growing media significantly affected plant growth and flower quality when compared with soil.The obtained values varied by substrate type.The earliest flowering time(154.78 d)and the longest plant height(120.82 cm in the‘Siberia’variety)were determined in peat+pumice,whereas the largest number of flowers(7 flowers in Siberia;5.67 flowers in Vespucci)and the highest stem weight(266.13 g in Vespucci;353.91 g in Siberia)were recorded in cocopeat.The vase life of the plants grown in soil was longer than that of the plants grown in the soilless culture.Regarding the number of leaves,rice hull+pumice(57.42 leaves)and sand+peat(54.46 leaves)gave the best results.

The Applicability of Renewable Raw Materials for the Professional Horticulture—Ecosystem Services,Profitability and Refinement

This preliminary study shows an innovative concept of searching for peat substitutes on basis of renewable raw materials considering the cultivation in extensive land use in Lower Saxony (Germany). Selecting suitable raw material plants against the background of ecological, social and economic issues followed by testing series including those materials should lead on to reliable results for a planned transition through a spatial analysis of potential areas for cultivation with a specific attention on wetlands. Thereby this short report illustrates the concept of the study as well as chosen interim results and it is to be understood as the first paper of a mini-series.