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Composted Green Waste as a Substitute for Peat in Growth Media: Effects on Growth and Nutrition of Calathea insignis

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  • Lu Zhang
  • Xiangyang Sun
  • Yun Tian
  • Xiaoqiang Gong

Abstract

Peat mined from endangered wetland ecosystems is generally used as a component in soilless potting media in horticulture but is a costly and non-renewable natural resource. The objective of this work was to study the feasibility of replacing peat with different percentages (0, 10, 30, 50, 70, 90, and 100%) of composted green waste (CGW) as growth media for the production of the ornamental plant Calathea insignis. Compared with 100% peat media, media containing CGW had improved physical and chemical characteristics to achieve the acceptable ranges. Moreover, CGW addition had increased the stability (i.e., reduced the decomposition rates) of growth media mixtures, as indicated by comparison of particle-size distribution at the start and end of a 7-month greenhouse experiment. Addition of CGW also supported increased plant growth (biomass production, root morphology, nutrient contents, and photosynthetic pigment contents). The physical and chemical characteristics of growth media and plant growth were best with a medium containing 70% CGW and were better in a medium with 100% CGW than in one with 100% peat media. These results indicate that CGW is a viable alternative to peat for the cultivation of Calathea insignis.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu Zhang & Xiangyang Sun & Yun Tian & Xiaoqiang Gong, 2013. "Composted Green Waste as a Substitute for Peat in Growth Media: Effects on Growth and Nutrition of Calathea insignis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(10), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0078121
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078121
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    1. J Jara-Samaniego & M D Pérez-Murcia & M A Bustamante & C Paredes & A Pérez-Espinosa & I Gavilanes-Terán & M López & F C Marhuenda-Egea & H Brito & R Moral, 2017. "Development of organic fertilizers from food market waste and urban gardening by composting in Ecuador," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(7), pages 1-17, July.
    2. Rangling Li & Hongying Wang & Enze Duan & Jiayu Fan & Liangju Wang, 2022. "Rabbit Manure Compost for Seedling Nursery Blocks: Suitability and Optimization of the Manufacturing Production Process," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Rangling Li & Hongyun Hao & Hui Sun & Liangju Wang & Hongying Wang, 2022. "Composted Rabbit Manure as Organic Matrix for Manufacturing Horticultural Growing Media: Composting Process and Seedling Effects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, April.
    4. Roberto Calisti & Luca Regni & Daniela Pezzolla & Mirko Cucina & Giovanni Gigliotti & Primo Proietti, 2022. "Evaluating Compost from Digestate as a Peat Substitute in Nursery for Olive and Hazelnut Trees," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Ajwal Dsouza & Gordon W. Price & Mike Dixon & Thomas Graham, 2021. "A Conceptual Framework for Incorporation of Composting in Closed-Loop Urban Controlled Environment Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-27, February.
    6. Muhammad Hasnain & Jiawei Chen & Nazeer Ahmed & Shumaila Memon & Lei Wang & Yimei Wang & Ping Wang, 2020. "The Effects of Fertilizer Type and Application Time on Soil Properties, Plant Traits, Yield and Quality of Tomato," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-14, October.

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