RT Journal Article
T1 Morpho-physiological plant quality when biochar and vermicompost are used as growing media replacement in urban horticulture
A1 Álvarez de la Puente, José María
A1 Pasian, Claudio
A1 Lal, Rattan
A1 López Núñez, Rafael
A1 Díaz Blanco, Manuel Jesús
A1 Fernández Martínez, Manuel
AB Peat moss is the most used soilless substrate in the production of container plants in floriculture. Nevertheless, the drainage of peat bogs due to the peat extraction has increased the necessity of seeking products that could replace the peat that is used in plant production. Therefore, a comparative study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a biochar (B) - vermicompost (V) mixture, as a partial substitute for peat-based substrates, on the morpho-physiological characteristics of ornamental plants. Different blends containing B and V were compared to a baseline peat-based substrate (S) as control in the cultivation of two ornamental bedding plant species that are widely used in urban areas: geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) and petunia (Petunia hybrida). Plant growth and physiological parameters were assessed. Results showed that it is possible to grow container plants of these two species with commercial quality, using a peat-based substrate mixed with biochar and/or vermicompost (up to 30% V and 12% B). Plants in these substrates showed a similar or enhanced physiological response to those grown in the control using commercial peat-based substrate.
PB Elsevier
SN 1618-8667
YR 2018
FD 2018
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10272/18595
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10272/18595
LA eng
NO Álvarez, J. M., Pasian, C., Lal, R., López, R., Díaz, M. J., & Fernández, M. (2018). Morpho-physiological plant quality when biochar and vermicompost are used as growing media replacement in urban horticulture. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 34, 175–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2018.06.021
NO This work was partially supported by the projects CTQ2013-46804-C2-1-R and CGL2016-76498-R of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF). The authors wish to thank the Horticultural Department and Carbon Sequestration and Management Center of Ohio State University for providing materials and facilities for this investigation. Similarly, the authors are deeply grateful to the following people: Mrs. Loewe and Dr. J. Altland from Application Technology Research Unit at Wooster OSU campus for their laboratory assistance in determining the physical properties substrate mixtures. Miss S. Stieve and Dr P. Jourdan from the Ornamental Germoplam Center at Columbus OSU campus are also thanked for their laboratory assistance in the accurate and precise weighing of leaves.
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 31 may 2026