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Zinnia Growth and Water Use Efficiency in a Rate Study of Coconut Coir Pith and Sphagnum Peat Moss in Container Growing Substrates

Lowry, Bonita Kristine
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1419244167

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Horticulture and Crop Science.
Sphagnum peat moss (SPM) has been the dominant substrate component in container plant production since the 1970’s for both horticulturists and home gardeners due to its relative abundance and beneficial properties. However, environmental concerns linked to peat harvesting and availability issues have led to increasing trends to utilize less SPM and to adopt improved processing operations for peat extraction. One possible substitution for SPM is coconut coir dust (coir pith), but there is limited information on how a substrate’s physical, chemical and biological properties will change with the substitution. This study evaluates the physical and chemical properties of coir pith from Sri Lanka and its effect on irrigation application efficiency and growth of container grown zinnia, when coir pith was substituted for SPM in a control substrate composed of 65% SPM while holding composted bark fines (CBF) and perlite volumes constant. This study includes four objectives: characterize each substrate components’ (SPM, coir pith, and CBF) chemical, physical and hydraulic properties; characterize the chemical, physical and hydraulic properties of selected substrates when coir pith replaced SPM in a substitution series; determine the rate effect of SPM and coir pith on Zinnia hybrida (Profusion Knee High Red Zinnia) growth and performance in a greenhouse trial using a modified gravimetric on-demand irrigation system, that maintained substrate matric potential between -10 kPa and -1 kPa, to determine the growth and water use efficiency of the zinnias grown in the different substrates. Coir pith had lower pH, nitrogen content and organic matter and a higher electrical conductivity, phosphorus, potassium, sulfate, sodium, and chloride when compared to SPM. Coir pith has a similar bulk density, holds more water, has less air space, and has a higher total pore space than SPM. The chemical properties of the substrates plus a constant rate of fertilizer, varied significantly, and did not fall within nutritional recommendations in many categories. The physical properties of the blended substrates influence the physical properties of the individual substrates in the blend. The total porosity increased as the percent of coir pith increased. Total applied irrigation volume fell as the amount of coir pith increased in the substrate. Coir addition also increased plant available water. Zinnia chlorophyll readings were lower as the percent coir pith increased. The treatment with the highest level of SPM had the greatest Zinnia plant growth and all treatments were acceptable. The worst performer was the substrate with equal amounts of SPM and coir pith in total plant weight and had the highest fill weight, lowest saturated container weight, the lowest irrigation retained, the highest leachate volume, and plants grown in that mix had lower plant growth index values and quality. Coir pith appears to be a suitable substitute for SPM that could reduce irrigation frequency. Chemical and physical properties of the coir pith must be taken into account in order to build an optimal plant growth substrate with suitable nutrient content and air-water relations.
Daniel Struve (Advisor)
Claudio Pasian (Advisor)
Edward McCoy (Committee Member)
89 p.
Horticulture
Zinnia, Composted bark fines, Container capacity, Coconut coir pith, Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, Easily Available Water, Effective container capacity, Water, Long column method, Moisture characteristic curve, Irrigation

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lowry, B. K. (2015). Zinnia Growth and Water Use Efficiency in a Rate Study of Coconut Coir Pith and Sphagnum Peat Moss in Container Growing Substrates [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1419244167

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lowry, Bonita. Zinnia Growth and Water Use Efficiency in a Rate Study of Coconut Coir Pith and Sphagnum Peat Moss in Container Growing Substrates. 2015. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1419244167.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lowry, Bonita. "Zinnia Growth and Water Use Efficiency in a Rate Study of Coconut Coir Pith and Sphagnum Peat Moss in Container Growing Substrates." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1419244167

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.