FINE CHARCOAL AS A COMPONENT OF SUBSTRATES FOR THE GROWTH OF PETUNIA (Petunia hybrida) AND CALIBRACHOA (Calibrachoa hybrida) IN POTS

Authors

  • Esteban Julián Rubio Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Argentina
  • Alejandra Bernárdez Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Argentina
  • Lorena Alejandra Barbaro Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Argentina
  • Mónica Alejandra Karlanian Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Argentina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29393/CHJAAS40-42CCEM40042

Keywords:

biochar, ornamentals, soilless growing media

Abstract

Fine charcoal is a residue from charcoal production, with potential to be used as a substrate component. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the addition of fine charcoal to the substrate on the growth of Petunia hybrida and Calibrachoa hybrida. For this, substrates were formulated by mixing peat with 20, 30, 40 and 50% fine charcoal. The substrates were incubated for five weeks to determine pH and electrical conductivity (EC) stabilization time. Substrates and components were characterized physicochemically. The study was conducted using a completely randomized design with twelve replications to evaluate growth parameters of both species grown in the formulated substrates and in a commercial substrate, as well as pH and EC at the end of the culture. pH and EC increased and stabilized after three weeks of incubation. pH, aeration and K content increased, while water retention decreased with increasing amounts of charcoal in the mixture. The highest aerial mass values, growth rates and SPAD index occurred in the substrate with 20% fine charcoal and the commercial substrate in both species. Growth was reduced with fine charcoal applied at higher than 20%. At the end of the culture, pH in the substrates with fine charcoal was higher than that recommended for both species, while the commercial substrate maintained values close to the initial ph. In conclusion, fine charcoal can be included at a rate of up to 20% in the substrate without affecting the growth of Petunia hybrida and Calibrachoa hybrida.

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Published

2024-12-29

How to Cite

Rubio, E. J., Bernárdez, A., Barbaro, L. A., & Karlanian, M. A. (2024). FINE CHARCOAL AS A COMPONENT OF SUBSTRATES FOR THE GROWTH OF PETUNIA (Petunia hybrida) AND CALIBRACHOA (Calibrachoa hybrida) IN POTS. Chilean Journal of Agricultural & Animal Sciences , 40(3), 503-514. https://doi.org/10.29393/CHJAAS40-42CCEM40042

Issue

Section

Research article