Academic literature on the topic 'Aeration. Growth (Plants) Plant growing media. Dehydrogenases'

Coal gasification slag is an ash byproduct remaining after the volatization process. This material is currently under utilized. A series of experiments were conducted to determine the suitability of coal gasification slag as a growing medium or growing medium amendment. Chrysanthemums, lettuce, poinsettias and some bedding plants were grown in slag or slag amended media in an ebb and flow fertigation system. Slag alone has a high pH and initial slag samples had some very small particle sizes. Plant growth in slag alone was poor because of high pH and low aeration. When slag was amended with moss peat, the pH was lowered to an acceptable range and the aeration was better. Plant growth in peat-slag media was equal to plant growth in a peat-perlite mix. Media composed of peat-slag and bark were also successful in producing crop growth equal to peat-perlite. There were no nutritional problems growing in slag amended media except that boron uptake by chrysanthemum was greater than in other media. Eliminating the small particle sizes by washing the slag makes the slag easier to handle, but does not produce crop growth equal to slag amended media.

As the human population rises, the demand for high nutritional foods, such as green vegetables, also increases. However, agricultural land, especially in urban areas, is increasingly narrowing. Hydroponics can be one of the solutions to answer this problem. In addition to complete nutrition, hydroponic plants also require appropriate media for root attachments, water absorption, and aeration. However, no studies have compared the growth of hydroponic plants using rockwool and sponge as affordable growing media. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of local rockwool, imported rockwool, and sponge as growing media on the growth of spinach (Amaranthus sp.) and green lettuce (Lactuca sativa) using Deep Flow Technique (DFT). This study used a Completely Randomized Design with three treatment groups, i.e., three different growing media, for spinach and lettuce. At the harvest period, the number of leaves on each plant was counted, the crown fresh-weight was balanced, and the chlorophyll content was determined. Plant height was also measured for spinach. The results showed no significant differences in all observed parameters except for the crown fresh-weight of the lettuce. The crown fresh-weight of the lettuce grown on sponge media was found to be the lowest significantly (81.47 ± 9.50 g) among all treatment groups. Other hydroponic growing media’s influences can be investigated for further research, with additional growth parameters such as crown dry-weight, root fresh- and dry-weight, as well as the determination of plant phytochemical contents. Moreover, the composition of nutrients can also be further examined to reveal the type of growing media and nutritional formulations that are most optimum for hydroponic spinach and lettuce growth.

Five composted Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) (garbage) products and a composted manure were evaluated as container growing media components on eight woody and herbaceous plants. Plant growth response to the different composts and to the quality of compost used was species-specific. Media UM Manure 100 provided the greatest increase in plant height across all species during the first year. However, only one species, V. lentaga, actually ranked number one in UM Manure 100. J.h. `Blue Chip' and A. tuberosa both grew the tallest in Control I. The remaining five species grew tallest in five different media. Therefore, several amended media can provide increased plant height for specific species; however, the top three media for plant height across all species were: #1 UM Manure 100, #2 Prairieland 50, and #3 Pennington 50. Plant height was the lowest in Recomp 100 media. Pennington 50 provided the greatest increase in plant volume. Media producing the highest plant dry weights across all species were: #1 Prairieland 50, #2 Pennington 50 and #3 UM Manure 50. Plants grown in Recomp 100 had the lowest plant dry weight. Media physical properties such as media drainage and aeration were affected by amendment quality and quantity.

Rhododendrondelavayi Franch. is an evergreen tree up to 5 m tall. Since few tree rhododendron are available in the market, the demand for this plant is high. Unfortunately, the supply is limited due to production difficulty. Under natural conditions (control), seed germination rates were 3% to 5%. When a special propagation bed was set up with mixed media of humus, loess, and sand, the germination rate reached 75% if the temperature was set from 20–25 °C, humidity was 80% to 90%, and irrigation water pH was 6–-6.5. In growing Rhododendrondelavayi, medium pH, water-holding capacity, aeration, and organic matter were considered. The medium, mixed with cinder, loess, humus, and perlite, yielded a 95% survival rate and the tallest plants. To produce aesthetically pleasing plants with flowers, apical dominance was removed and the growth of lateral buds was promoted by pinching the terminal buds of the seedlings in their second year. Also, 3N–1P–1K fertilizer should be used to increase seedling growth. With proper pruning, the seedlings were flowering and ready for market in 3–4 years (instead of 8 years under natural conditions). The acceptable germination rate, better growing conditions, and feasible cultural practices should enable growers to produce quality plants, which ultimately enhance the popularity of Rhododendrondelavayi.

Four successive trials with gypsophila, rose, cucumber, and lettuce grown on different pumice grades were conducted in a heated glasshouse. In the gypsophila experiment, three grades of pumice (0 to 2, 0 to 5, and 0 to 8 mm) were tested, whereas in the rose, cucumber, and lettuce experiments, four pumice grades (0 to 2, 0 to 5, 0 to 8, and 4 to 8 mm) were compared. In each experiment, these pumice grades were combined with two growing systems, specifically placement of the same media volume either in pots or in bags. Furthermore, the physical properties of the tested pumice grades were determined. Overall, gypsophila and cucumber gave the highest yields when grown in pots filled with the two finest pumice grades, whereas the yield obtained from plants grown in bags was poor regardless of particle size range. Coarse pumice restricted gypsophyla and cucumber yield in pot culture to nearly the same degree as in bags. In contrast, lettuce, and to a greater degree roses, exhibited a weaker response to the different pumice grades and growing systems. The two finer pumice grades were characterized by relatively low air-filled porosity, which presumably restricted plant growth and yield as a result of poor root aeration when the media were placed in bags with a height of 8 cm. The coarsest pumice grades were characterized by a steep drop in the water content as the suction increased only a few centimeters above zero, which imposed an appreciable lowering of the overall water content in the pots in comparison with the bags (≈12.5%), as a result of the increased height of the former. Our results indicate that gypsophila and cucumber respond more strongly than roses and lettuce to the variations in the air-to-water ratio in the root zone originating from differences in the physical properties of the growing media.

Anthurium belongs to family Araceae and is highly praised flowering plant for its colourful long lasting unique flower and shining foliage. It is also an excellent plant for interior and as cut flower, especially for flower arrangement. The most suitable part of anthurium is modification of the leaf and botanically known as ‘spathe’. Heart shaped spathe emerges on the long flower stalk with a spadix. This plant blooms almost continuously under suitable conditions. It is epiphytic in nature with climbing, creeping and arboreous stems including many aerial roots that aid in taping water and nourishment. Quality and productivity of anthurium flowers depends on the growing medium. Most of the anthurium growers prepare own their growing media, but they do not know that the low productivity and quality might come from an poor potting mixture that they are using. One of the most important components of anthurium cultivation is the choice of growing substrate or medium. It is known to grow best in a well aerated medium with good water retention capacity and drainage. A good medium needs to be able to anchor the roots and stems so that the plant will not topple over as it grows larger, yet it should provide sufficient moisture, nutrient and aeration to the plant. The objective of this review is to present a summary of the influence of various growing medium on the growth, flowering, productivity and quality of anthurium grown in protected conditions. The results from the literature prove that the productivity of anthurium tends to be more in those plants which grown in different growing medium compared to soil grown plants.

Thesis (M.S.)--Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Keywords: advanced life support; ethylene; carbon dioxide; pisum sativum; root hypoxia; oxygen; bioregenerative life support. Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-57).