Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Using environmentally friendly substrate in soilless lily production

Author(s):

Malik G. Al-Ajlouni*, Yahia A. Othman, Bassam M. Al-Qarallah, Jamal Y. Ayad

Recieved Date: 2016-09-06, Accepted Date: 2016-12-20

Abstract:

Rising awareness over the environmental impacts of some commonly used materials such as peat-based growing media has urged researchers to assess more environmentally friendly products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two soilless substrates [tuff (granulated volcanic material, 0-4 mm) and 2:1 peatmoss+perlite (2:1 P+P)] on growth and flower quality of two cultivars of Asiatic lily (Lilium ×elegans Thunb.) cvs ‘Fangio’ and ‘Ercolano’. Two bulbs of both cultivars were grown in 12 L pots filled with tuff or 2:1 P+P substrate. Substrate properties, plant growth, plant physiology, number of days to flowering and flower quality were assessed. Data revealed that tuff substrate had lower water holding capacity (WHC) and electrical conductivity (EC) than 2:1 P+P media. Conversely, tuff had higher bulk density and pH than 2:1 P+P substrate. The 2:1 P+P substrate had higher shoot length and leaf area than tuff in both cultivars. However, tuff substrate increased flowers number per plant in ‘Fangio’ by 8% and ‘Ercolano’ by 18% compared to 2:1 P+P. Volcanic tuff can last for many years (compared to peatmoss) and therefore, frequent replacement of the substrate is not a prerequisite. Additionally, 2:1 P+P had no superior impact on lily (compared to tuff) except for shoot length and leaf area. For these reasons, we recommended that tuff be used as an alternative to peatmoss in soilless production of lily in order to enhance flower quality and mitigating agricultural negative impact on the environment.

Keywords:

Fertigation, Lilium, tuff, peatmoss, media, flower quality

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2017
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Category: Environment
Pages: 34-38

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