ISHS Acta Horticulturae 819: International Symposium on Growing Media 2007
SUBSTRATES WITH MINERAL COMPONENTS FOR GROWING WOODY PLANTS |
| Authors: | M. Dubský, F. Srámek |
| Keywords: | peat-based substrates, soil-based substrates, alternative components, woody plants, restoration plantings |
| Abstract:
Peat-based mixtures represent the main part of substrates used in nursery production in the Czech Republic. Some growers use mixtures with a high content of mineral components (soil, loess loam), mainly for growing woody plants for landscape horticulture. Five types of substrates were prepared (ratio by % vol.): the control consisted of blonde peat and sandy soil (90/10), three substrates with soil and composted green waste amended with peat (50:30:20) or composted spruce bark (50/30/20) or crushed rockwool (50/30/20) were also used along with one mixture of soil and compost (70/30). Chemical properties (pH, EC, content of available nutrients) of the components and the substrates were analysed according to European Standards. A sand box in the range of -0.25 to -10 kPa was used to determine retention curves and other physical properties (bulk density, air pore space, proportion of available water). The substrates were used to grow woody plants (Abies, Betula, Crataegus, Fagus, Quercus, Tilia), and these were cultivated outdoors in containers for one vegetative period. Yearly shoot growth of Abies and Quercus was the same in the soil-based substrates as in the peat-based control. Growth of other species was lower in the soil-based mixtures. The root system was well developed in all treatments. A limiting factor of soil-based substrates was the low content of available water. The lowest values were recorded in mixtures with bark and with 70% vol. of soil. Plants cultivated in soil-based substrates may be more resistant to water stress after planting. | |
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