ISHS Acta Horticulturae 819: International Symposium on Growing Media 2007
VALIDATION OF A NEW PHYTOTOXICITY TEST (PHYTOTOXKIT) AGAINST AN ESTABLISHED FOUR-WEEK GROWING TEST WITH PRE-GROWN PLANT PLUGS |
| Authors: | C. Blok, M. Aguilera, E.A. Van Os |
| Keywords: | extract, plug plant, peat, TCA |
| Abstract:
The aim of the studies was to correlate results of a fast extract-based toxicity test with results of an established growing test with mostly pre-grown plants. A standard white peat was contaminated with four levels of TCA (trichloroacetic acid), a known toxic substance. A range was composed of five levels of TCA, including zero, 0.0013, 0.013, 0.13, and 1.3 g/L of peat. Part of the material was entered in Phytotoxkit containers and covered with a filter paper. At the other side of the filter paper two dicotyledonous species, garden cress (Lepidium sativum) and mustard (Sinapis alba) and one monocotyledon, Sorghum (Sorghum saccharatum) were allowed to germinate for a three day period on the extract from the substrate in a climate-controlled cabinet. The same range of amended peats was used in the standard test to grow transplanted lettuce (Lactuca sativa), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) and directly sown barley (Hordeum vulgare). For the Phytotoxkit the above ground length and root length were recorded, and for the standard test the fresh weight and dry weight of the above ground parts were recorded. Results showed a growth reduction for all levels of TCA when using the standard method. When using the Phytotoxkit only the two highest concentrations of TCA reduced growth. For screenings of product alternatives or dissolution series the Phytotoxkit is a faster and cheaper alternative. | |
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