Organic growing media: Constituents and properties

Vadose Zone Journal

Volumn 14, Issue 6, 2015, Pages 1-13

  Carlile, W R ^a   Cattivello, Costantino ^b   Zaccheo, Patrizia ^c  

^a Research Centre   (Ireland)

^b Agenzia Regionale per lo Sviluppo Rurale   (Italy)

^c UNIVERSITY OF MILAN   (Italy)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

COMPOSTING; MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE; PEAT; SEWAGE SLUDGE; WOOD;

COMPOSTED MATERIALS; INNOVATIVE APPROACHES; MICROBIAL CONTAMINANT; MICROPOROUS PROPERTIES; ORGANIC CONSTITUENTS; ORGANIC MATERIALS; RENEWABLE RESOURCE; WESTERN UNITED STATES;

IN SITU PROCESSING;

ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURE; MOSS; ORGANIC MATTER; PEAT; POROUS MEDIUM; WASTE MANAGEMENT;

COMPOST; DEGRADATION; PEAT; QUALITY CONTROL; SOLID WASTES; THINNINGS;

EUROPE; UNITED STATES;

SPHAGNUM;

EID: 84931399060     PISSN: None     EISSN: 15391663     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2136/vzj2014.09.0125     Document Type: Article

References (118)

1. Abad, M., C. Carrión, V. Noguera, P. Noguera, A. Maquieira, and R. Puchades. 2005 Physical properties of various coconut coir dusts compared to peat. HortScience 40:2138–2144
2. Abad, M., P. Noguera, and S. Burés. 2001 National inventory of organic wastes for use in growing media for ornamental potted plant production: Case study in Spain. Bioresour. Technol. 77:197–200 doi:10.1016/S0960-8524(00)00152-8
3. Abad, M., P. Noguera, R. Puchades, A. Maquiera, and V. Noguera. 2002 Physio-chemical properties of some coconut coir dusts for use as a peat substitute for containerised ornamental plants. Bioresour. Technol. 82:241–245 doi:10.1016/S0960-8524(01)00189-4
4. Aendekerk, T.G.L., H. Cevat, N. Dolmans, C. van Elderen, J.A. Kipp, C. de Kreij, et al. 2000 International substrate manual: Analysis, characteristics, recommendations. Elsevier, Dordrecht, the Netherlands.
5. Altland, J.E., and J.C. Locke. 2013 Effect of biochar type on macronutrient retention and release from soilless substrate. HortScience 48:1397–1402
6. Amha, Y., H. Bohne, G. Schmilewski, P. Picken, and O. Reinikainen. 2010 Physical, chemical and botanical characteristics of peats used in the horticultural industry. Eur. J. Hortic. Sci. 75(4):177–183
7. Ansari, M., F. Shah, and T. Butt. 2008 Combined use of entomopathogenic nematodes and Metarhizium anisopliae as a new approach for black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, control. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 10:1570–1574
8. Bilderback, T.E., and W.C. Fonteno. 1987 Effects of container geometry and media physical properties on air and water volumes in containers. J. Environ. Hortic. 5:180–182
9. Bilderback, T.E., E.D. Riley, B.E. Jackson, H.T. Kraus, W.C. Fonteno, J. Altland, et al. 2013 Strategies for developing sustainable substrates in nursery crop production. Acta Hortic. 1013:43–56
10. Bilderback, T.E., S.L. Warren, J.S. Owen, and J.P. Albaho. 2005 Healthy substrates need physicals too! HortTechnology 15:747–751
11. Blok, C., and J.B.M.G. Verhagen. 2009 Trends in rooting media in Dutch horticulture during the period 2001–2005: The new Growing Media Project. Acta Hortic. 819:47–58
12. Bos, E.J.F., R.A.W. Keijzer, W.L. van Schie, J.B.G.M. Verhagen, and M.A. Zevenhoven. 2003 Potting soil and substrates. RHP Foundation, Naaldwijk, the Netherlands.
13. Bruck, D.J., and K.M. Donahue. 2007 Persistence of Metarhizium anisopliae incorporated into soilless potting media for control of the black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus in container-grown ornamentals. J. Invertebr. Pathol. 95:146–150 doi:10.1016/j.jip.2007.01.004
14. Bunt, A.C. 1988 Media and mixes for container grown plants. 2nd ed. Unwin Hyman Ltd, London.
15. Bures, S. 1997 Sustratos. Ediciones Agrotecnicas, Madrid.
16. Bures, S. 2013 A view beyond traditional growing media uses. Acta Hortic. 1013:109–116
17. Bures, S., F.X. Martinez, and M. Llorca. 1989 Preliminary study of the application of parametric linear programming in formulation of substrate mixes. Acta Hortic. 236:141–151
18. Byrne, P.J., and B. Carty. 1989 Developments in the measurement of air filled porosity of peat substrates. Acta Hortic. 238:37–44
19. Carlile, W.R. 1999 The effects of the environment lobby on the selection and use of growing media. Acta Hortic. 481:587–596
20. Carlile, W.R. 2004 Changes in organic growing media during storage. Acta Hortic. 648:153–159
21. Carlile, W.R., and A. Coules. 2013 Towards sustainability in growing media. Acta Hortic. 1013:341–349
22. Carlile, W.R., and S.J. Hammonds. 2008 Microorganisms of human health importance in growing media. Acta Hortic. 779:67–74
23. Carlile, W.R., and G. Schmilewski. 2010 Life in growing media: The good, the bad and the ugly. In: Proceedings of the International Peat Society Symposium, Amsterdam. 11 Oct. 2010 Int. Peat Soc., Jyväskylä, Finland. p. 7–14
24. Carlile, W.R., and P. Waller. 2013 Peat, politics and pressure groups. Chron. Hortic. 53(1):10–16
25. Carr, D.P. 2012 An assessment of alternative uses for lignocellulosic waste products. Ph.D. diss. Natl. Univ. Ireland, Maynooth.
26. Cattivello, C. 2009 Autoriscaldamento. In: P. Zaccheo and C. Cattivello, editors, I substrati di coltivazione. EdAgric., Bologna, Italy. p. 321–329
27. Cattivello, C. 2013 Factors affecting the swelling capacity of peat-based substrates. Acta Hortic. 1013:123–130
28. Cattivello, C., E. della Donna, and R. Pantanali. 1997 Behaviour of peat substrates during cyclamen and poinsettia cultivation. Acta Hortic. 450:439–448
29. Centemero, M. 2009 L’ammendante compostato. In: P. Zaccheo and C. Cattivello, editors, I substrati di coltivazione. Edagricole, Bologna, Italy. p. 95–113
30. Chong, C. 2005 Experiences with wastes and composts in nursery substrates. HortTechnology 15:739–747
31. Coir Board of India. 2014 Review of export performance of coir and coir products from India during the period from April 2013 to March 2014 Coir Board, Kochi, India. http://coirboard.gov.in/statistics/ExportAnalysis/CoirExportReview2013-14.pdf
32. Crippa, L., P. Zaccheo, and D. Orfeo. 2013 Utilization of the solid fraction of digestate from anaerobic digestion as container media substrate. Acta Hortic. 1013:367–373
33. Currie, S.L., T.K. Beattie, C.W. Knapp, and D.S. Lindsay. 2014 Legionella spp. in UK composts: A potential public health issue? Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 20:224–229 doi:10.1111/1469-0691.12381
34. Daniels, W.L., and R.D. Wright. 1988 Cation exchange properties of pine bark growing media as influenced by pH, particle size and cation species. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci. 113:557–560
35. de Boodt, M., O. Verdonck, and I. Cappaert. 1974 Method for measuring the water release curve of organic substrates. Acta Hortic. 37:2054–2062
36. Dickinson, K., and W.R. Carlile. 1995 The storage properties of woodbased peat-free growing media. Acta Hortic. 401:89–96
37. Do, T.C.V., and H.W. Scherer. 2012 Compost and biogas residues as basic materials for potting substrates. Plant Soil Environ. 58:459–464
38. Domeno, I., I. Irigoyen, and J. Muro. 2010 New wood fibre substrates: Characterisation and evaluation in hydroponic tomato culture. Eur. J. Hortic. Sci. 75:89–94
39. Dubsky, M., and F. Sramek. 2009 The effect of rockwool on physical properties of growing substrates for perennials. Hortic. Sci. 36:38–43
40. European Committee for Standardization. 1999 CR 13456: Soil improvers and growing media: Labelling, specification and product schedules. BSI, London.
41. European Committee for Standardization. 2000 EN 13041: Soil improvers and growing media—Determination of physical properties: Dry bulk density, air volume, water volume, shrinkage value and total pore space. BSI, London.
42. European Committee for Standardization. 2011 EN 13038: Soil improvers and growing media—Determination of electrical conductivity. BSI, London.
43. Evans, M.R., J.S. Buck, and P. Sambo. 2011 The pH, electrical conductivity and primary macronutrient concentration of Sphagnum peat and parboiled fresh rice hull substrates over time in a greenhouse environment. HortTechnology 21:103–108
44. Evans, M.R., S. Konduru, and R.H. Stamps. 1996 Source variation in physical and chemical properties of coconut coir dust. HortScience 6:965–967
45. Fengel, D., and G. Wegener. 1989 Constituents of bark. In: D. Fengel, and G. Wegener, editors, Wood: Chemistry, ultrastructure, reactions. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin.
46. Fields, J.S., W.C. Fonteno, B.E. Jackson, J.L. Heitman, and J.S. Owen, Jr. 2014 Hydrophysical properties, moisture retention and drainage profiles of wood and traditional components for greenhouse substrates. HortScience 49:827–832
47. Fonteno, W.C. 1988 Know your media: The air, water and container connection. GrowerTalks 51(11):110–111
48. Fonteno, W.C. 1996 Growing media: Types and physical/chemical properties. In: D.W. Reed, editor, Water, media and nutrition for greenhouse crops. Ball Publ., Batavia, IL.
49. Fornes, F., R.M. Belda, M. Abad, P. Noguera, R. Puchades, A. Maquieira, and V. Noguera. 2003 The microstructure of coconut coir dusts for use as alternatives to peat in soilless growing media. Aust. J. Exp. Agric. 43:1171–1179 doi:10.1071/EA02128
50. Gruda, N., and W.H. Schnitzler. 2004 Suitability of wood fiber substrate for production of vegetable transplants: 1 Physical properties of wood fiber substrates. Sci. Hortic. 100:309–322 doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2003.10.001
51. Hajek, T., S. Ballance, J. Limpens, M. Zijlstraa, and J.T.A. Verhoeven. 2011 Cell-wall polysaccharides play an important role in decay resistance of Sphagnum and actively depressed decomposition in vitro. Biogeochemistry 103:45–57 doi:10.1007/s10533-010-9444-3
52. Hammond, R.F. 1975 The origin, formation and distribution of peatland resources. In: D.W. Robinson, and J.G.D. Lamb, editors, Peat in horticulture. Academic Press, London. p. 1–22
53. Handreck, K.A. 1993a. Properties of coir dust, and its use in the formulation of soilless potting media. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 24:349–363 doi:10.1080/00103629309368804
54. Handreck, K.A. 1993b. Use of the nitrogen drawdown index to predict fertilizer nitrogen requirements in soilless potting media. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 24:2137–2151 doi:10.1080/00103629309368943
55. Handreck, K., and N. Black. 2010 Growing media for ornamental plants and turf. 4th ed. UNSW Press, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
56. Hartz, T.K., F.J. Costa, and W.L. Schrader. 1996 Suitability of composted green waste for horticultural uses. HortScience 31:961–964
57. Hoitink, H.A.J., Y. Inbar, and M.J. Boehm. 1991 Status of compostamended potting mixes naturally suppressive to soil-borne diseases of floricultural crops. Plant Dis. 75:869–873 doi:10.1094/PD-75-0869
58. Jackson, B.E., R.D. Wright, and J.R. Seiler. 2009 Changes in chemical and physical properties of pine tree substrate and pine bark during longterm nursery crop production. HortScience 44:791–799
59. Kavanagh, T., and M. Herlihy. 1975 Microbiological aspects. In: D.W. Robinson and J.G.D. Lamb, editors, Peat in horticulture. Academic Press, London. p. 39–50
60. Keijzer, R., and W.L. van Schie. 1997 Weeds in peat: A dangerous problem. In: Peat in horticulture–Its use and sustainability: Proceedings of the International Peat Conference, Amsterdam. 2–7 Nov. 1997 Int. Peat Soc., Jyväskylä, Finland. p. 24–27
61. Koch, K., and W. Barthlott. 2009 Superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic plant surfaces: An inspiration for biomimetic materials. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. 367:1487–1509 doi:10.1098/rsta.2009.0022
62. Konduru, S., M.R. Evans, and R.H. Stamps. 1999 Coconut husk and processing effects on chemical and physical properties of coconut coir dust. HortScience 34:88–90
63. Landis, T.D. 1990 Growing media. In: T.D. Landis et al., editors, The container tree nursery manual. Vol. II. Agric. Handbk. 674 U.S. Gov. Print. Office, Washington, DC. p. 41–85
64. Leijn-van Dijk, F.M., and S.S de Bes. 1987 Methods for physical analysis of potting soil and peat. Anal. Proced. 2 Glashouse Crops Res. Exp. Stn., Naaldwijk, the Netherlands.
65. Lemaire, F., A. Dartiques, and L.M. Riviere. 1980 Properties of substrates with ground pine bark. Acta Hortic. 99:67–80
66. Lemaire, F., A. Dartigues, L.M. Riviere, S. Charpentier, and P. Morel. 2003 Cultures en pots et conteneurs: Principes agronomiques et applications. Ed. INRA, Paris.
67. Leoni, S. 2003 Colture senza suolo in ambiente mediterraneo. EdAgric., Bologna, Italy.
68. López-Lopez, N., and A. López-Fabal. 2013 Evaluation of urban solid waste and sewage sludge composts as components of growing media. Acta Hortic. 1013:231–238
69. Lucas, R.E., and F.J. Davis. 1961 Relationship between pH values of organic soils and availabilities of 12 plant nutrients. Soil Sci. 92:177–182 doi:10.1097/00010694-196109000-00005
70. Ma, Y.B., and D.G. Nichols. 2004 Phytotoxicity and detoxification of fresh coir dust and coconut shell. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 35:205–218 doi:10.1081/CSS-120027644
71. Maher, M.J., M. Prasad, and M. Raviv. 2008 Organic soilless media components. In: M. Raviv and J.H. Lieth, editors, Soilless culture: Theory and practice. Elsevier, Amsterdam. p. 459–504
72. Michel, J.-C. 2010 The physical properties of peat: A key factor for modern growing media. Mires Peat 6:2 http://www.mires-and-peat.net/pages/volumes/map06/map0602.php
73. Montri, N., and E. Wattanapreechanon. 2007 Soilless culture in Thailand. Acta Hortic. 759:187–193
74. Moral, R., C. Pareded, M.D. Perez-Murcia. A. Perez-Espinoza, and M.A. Bustamante. 2013 Challenges of composting for growing media purposes in Spain and the Mediterranean area. Acta Hortic. 1013:25–39
75. Noble, R., and S.J. Roberts. 2003 A review of the literature on eradication of plant pathogens and nematodes during composting, disease suppression and detection of plant pathogens in compost. Waste Resour. Action Progr., Banbury, UK.
76. Nukaya, A. 2006 Soilless culture in Japan: Present status and problems. Shenyang Agric. Univ., Shenyang, Liaoning, China. http://study.syau.edu.cn/upload/108/attach/_1994500040_2011120610403294.swf
77. Owen, J.S., Jr., and J.E. Altland. 2008 Container height and Douglas fir bark texture affect substrate physical properties. HortScience 43:505–508
78. Perez-Murcia, M.D., R. Moral, J. Moreno-Caselles, A. Perez-Espinosa, and C. Paredes. 2006 Use of composted sewage sludge in growth media for broccoli. Bioresour. Technol. 97:123–130 doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2005.02.005
79. Pokorny, F.A., and H.Y. Wetzstein. 1984 Internal porosity, water availability and root penetration of pine bark particles. HortScience 19:447–449
80. Prasad, M. 1997 Physical, chemical and biological properties of coir dust. Acta Hortic. 450:21–30
81. Prasad, M., and W.R. Carlile. 2009 Practical experiences and background research on the use of composted materials in growing media. Acta Hortic. 819:111–124
82. Prasad, M., and M. Maher. 1993 Mechanical breakdown of peat as a result of handling and transport. Acta Hortic. 342:257–264
83. Prasad, M., and M. Maher. 2004 Stability of peat alternatives and use of moderately decomposed peat as a structure builder in growing media. Acta Hortic. 648:145–151
84. Prasad, M., and M.J. Maher. 2013 Colour of peat as an indicator of chemical, biological and physical properties of peats. Acta Hortic. 1013:89–94
85. Puustjarvi, V., and R.A. Robertson. 1975 Physical and chemical properties. In: D.W. Robinson, and J.G.D. Lamb, editors, Peat in horticulture. Academic Press, London. p. 23–38
86. Quantis, 2012 Comparative life cycle assessment of horticultural growing media based on peat and other constituents. Quantis Sàrl, Lausanne, Switzerland. http://www.epagma.eu/sites/default/files/documents/epagma_growing-media-lca_final-report_2012-01-17_quantis.pdf
87. Raviv, M. 2011 The future of composts in growing media. Acta Hortic. 891:19–32
88. Raviv, M. 2013 SWOT analysis of the use of composts as growing media constituents. Acta Hortic. 1013:191–202
89. Rydin, H., and J.K. Jeglum. 2013 The biology of peatlands. 2nd ed. Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford, UK.
90. Schlechte, G.B. 1997 Trouble creating fungi in peat of horticultural use. In: Peat in horticulture–Its use and sustainability: Proceedings of the International Peat Conference, Amsterdam. 2–7 Nov. 1997 Int. Peat Soc., Jyväskylä, Finland. p. 89–93
91. Schmilewski, G. 2008 The role of peat in assuring the quality of growing media. Mires and Peat, 3, Article 02 http://pixelrauschen.de/wbmp/media/map03/map_03_02.pdf
92. Schmilewski, G. 2009 Growing medium constituents used in the EU. Acta Hortic. 819:33–45
93. Smith, D.C., and J.C. Hughes. 2004 Changes in maturity indicators during the maturity of organic wastes subjected to simple composting procedures. Biol. Fertil. Soils 39:280–286 doi:10.1007/s00374-003-0717-z
94. Solbraa, K. 1979 Composting of bark: I. Different bark qualities and their uses in plant production. Medd. Nor. Inst. Skogforsk. 34:285–323
95. Sonneveld, C., and W. Voogt. 2009 Plant nutrition of greenhouse crops. Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands.
96. Spiers, T.M., and G. Fietje. 2000 Green waste compost as a component in soilless growing media. Compost Sci. Util. 8:19–23 doi:10.1080/1065657X.2000.10701745
97. Sri Lanka Coconut Research Institute. 2011 Statistics on coconut and oil palm. Coconut Res. Inst., Lunuwila, Sri Lanka. http://www.cri.gov.lk/web/images/stories/statistics/satistics_on_coconut_oil_palm.pdf
98. Steele, T.W., J. Lanser, and N. Sangster. 1990 Isolation of Legionella longbeachae serogroup 1 from potting mixes. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 56:49–53
99. St. Martin, C.C.G., and R.A.I. Braithwaite. 2012 Compost and compost tea: Principles and prospects as substrates and soil-borne disease management strategies in soil-less vegetable production. Biol. Agric. Hortic. 28:1–33 doi:10.1080/01448765.2012.671516
100. Surrage, V., and W.R. Carlile. 2008 Variation in quality of composted green wastes of UK origin and their suitability for inclusion in growing media. Acta Hortic. 779:631–636
101. Tahvonen, R., and R. Kemppainen. 2008 Microbiological variation in self-heated and non-self-heated Sphagnum peat and its effects on growth of plants. Acta Hortic. 779:75–78
102. Thormann, M.N. 2010 In vitro decomposition of Sphagnumderived acrotelm and mesotelm peat by indigenous and alien basidiomycetous fungi. Mires Peat 8:3 http://mires-and-peat.net/pages/volumes/map08/map0803.php
103. Tsuneda, A., N.M. Thormann, and R.S. Currah. 2001 Modes of cell wall degradation of Sphagnum fuscum by Acremonium cf curvulum and Oidiodendron maius. Can. J. Bot. 79:93–100
104. UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 2009 Monitoring of peat and alternative products for growing media and soil improvers in the UK 2007 DEFRA, London. http://archive.defra.gov.uk/evidence/science/publications/documents/peatAlternatives2007.pdf
105. UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 2014 Project 100: Tracking peat usage in growing media production. DEFRA, London.
106. UK Waste and Resources Action Programme. 2009 An investigation into the occurrence of clopyralid and aminopyralid in composts. WRAP, Banbury, UK. http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/Clopyralid%20Report.pdf
107. UK Waste and Resources Action Programme. 2011 Guidelines for the specification of quality compost for use in growing media. WRAP, Banbury, UK. http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/AG_Hort_Guideline_Spec_Docs_8.pdf
108. US Composting Council. 2013 USCC position: Persistent herbicides. USCC, Bethesda, MD. http://compostingcouncil.org/admin/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/USCC-Position-Statement-on-Persistent-Herbicides-FINAL.pdf
109. Vecchietti, L., B. de Lucia, G. Russo, E. Rea, and A. Leone. 2013 Environmental and agronomic evaluation of containerized substrates developed from sewage sludge compost for ornamental plant production. Acta Hortic. 1013:431–439
110. von Post, L. 1922 Sveriges Geologiska Undersöknings torvinventering och nogra av dess hittils vunna resultat. Sven. Mosskulturfoeren. Tidskr. 37:1–27
111. Warren, S.L., T.E. Bilderback, and J.S. Owen. 2009 Growing media for the nursery industry: Use of amendments in traditional bark-based media. Acta Hortic. 819:143–156
112. Wever, G., and M.H. Hertogh-Pon. 1993 Effect of self-heating on biological, chemical and physical aspects of peat. Acta Hortic. 342:15–24
113. Wever, G., and R. Scholman. 2011 RHP requirements for the safe use of green waste compost in professional horticulture. Acta Hortic. 891:281–286
114. Which? 2013 Garden: Compost: Full compost test results. Which? London. http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/garden/reviews-ns/compost/full-compost-test-results/
115. Yeager, T.H., D.C. Fare, J. Lea-Cox, J. Ruter, T.E. Bilderback, C.H. Gilliam, et al. 2007 Best management practices: Guide for producing containergrown plants. 2nd ed. Southern Nurserymen’s Assoc., Marietta, GA.
116. Zaccheo, P., L. Crippa, and C. Cattivello. 2013 Effect of controlledrelease fertilizers on chemical parameters of two growing media during 12 months storage. Acta Hortic. 1013:327–332
117. Zaccheo, P., L. Crippa, and C. Cattivello. 2014 Liming power of different particle fractions of biochar. Acta Hortic. 1034:363–368
118. Zhu, W., and H. Wang. 2013 A brief development history of soilless cultivation in China. Acta Hortic. 1004:63–69 http://www.actahort.org/books/1004/1004_5.htm