The Conversion And Application Of Several Agro-forestry Biomass Residues Into Growing Media

The primary component of soilless rooting media for ornamental plant production is peat. Quality peat, however, is costly and is a non-renewable natural resource. The reused of biomass residues is increasingly concerned due to the "natural resources crisis" and issues of "environmental protection", The growing media made from organic agricultural wastes regenerates natural resources and reduces the consumption of quality peat. Several kinds of agriculture-forestry biomass residues such as the corn cob, garden waste (branches, leaves) were selected as the raw material of the growing media on pot-flower. The objective of this study was to find a way to reuse agriculture-forestry biomass residues, and converted it into a kind of growing media to replace the traditional media of peat used in the production of Anthurium andraeanum'Pink Lady'. Ten treatment media were carried out consisting of pyrolysised corn cobs (PC); composted corn cobs (C); pyrolysised garden wastes (PG); and peat (P) in various proportions. The substrate mixtures used were (%v/v):PC (100%), C (100%), PG (100%), C (70%)+ PG (30%), PC (70%)+PG (30%), C (35%)+PG (15%)+P (50%), PC (50%)+P (50%), PC (70%)+ PG (30%)+P (50%), C (50%)+p (50%), and P(100%) as control. The effects of the various treatments media on A. andraeanum were evaluated based on plant growth, nutrient uptake, and the cut flower quality during the 15-months experimental period. The results show that A. andraeanum were optimal using 35%composted corn cobs+15%pyrolysised garden wastes+50%peat and 50%pyrolysised corn cobs+50%peat, indicating that mixing pyrolysised or composted biomass residues with peat could substitute for peat as a suitable medium for anthurium production. In additional, it will reduce the need for peat, cut off about 34.7%of the media cost in soilless culture of A. andraeanum and provide another way to reuse agricultural wastes.