Wood-Based Biochar Ratio Used for Partial Peat Replacement in Growing Media for Antirrhinum majus Pot Production

Antonios Chrysargyris, Munoo Prasad () and Nikolaos Tzortzakis ()
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Antonios Chrysargyris: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos 3603, Cyprus
Munoo Prasad: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos 3603, Cyprus
Nikolaos Tzortzakis: Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Lemesos 3603, Cyprus

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: Biochar has been promoted mostly as a soil supplement that improves plant growth/yield and to a lesser extent as a growing medium component. The alarmed situation for peat substitution in growing medium renders biochar as a promising substitute for current research. In this study, biochar derived by wood-based materials was evaluated at different ratios (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% v / v ) for peat partial substitution for Antirrhinum majus pot production. Biochar had increased potassium content and pH, which affected the growing media properties (total pores space and water filled capacity) and decreased nitrogen and phosphorus content in the media. Adding ≥15% biochar increased plant height and decreased flowering, but no effect was observed on plant biomass produced. The presence of biochar increased the total phenols and flavanols content and antioxidant capacity, with greater effects at the higher biochar rates used. This resulted in lipid peroxidation and an increase in hydrogen peroxide content, causing oxidative stress. Potassium and magnesium accumulated more but nitrogen and phosphorus were accumulated less in snapdragon leaves. Biochar at 10% can be considered as a successful candidate to partially substitute peat, and efforts to improve growing media characteristics are required for A. majus pot production.

Keywords: biochar; peat; growth; snapdragon; mineral accumulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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