The Effects of Mixed Hardwood Biochar, Mycorrhizae, and Fertigation on Container Tomato and Pepper Plant Growth

Ping Yu, Qiansheng Li, Lan Huang, Kuan Qin, Genhua Niu and Mengmeng Gu
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Ping Yu: Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Qiansheng Li: Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Lan Huang: Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610000, China
Kuan Qin: Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Texas A&M University, Uvalde, TX 78801, USA
Genhua Niu: Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX 75252, USA
Mengmeng Gu: Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, College Station, TX 77843, USA

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 17, 1-17

Abstract: Biochar (BC) has the potential as a peat moss alternative for container plant growth. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of mixed hardwood BC, compost types, mycorrhizae, and fertigation on container-grown tomato and pepper growth. In experiment 1 (Exp1), BC at 50%, 70%, and 90% (vol.) were mixed with 5% vermicompost (VC) with the rest being a commercial peat moss-based substrate (CS) and fertigated at 200 or 300 mg L −1 N. In experiment 2 (Exp2), 80% BC was mixed with chicken manure compost (CM; 5% or 10%) and CS and fertigated at 100 or 200 mg L −1 N. In experiment 3 (Exp3), 90% BC was blended with CS and fertigated at 200 or 300 mg L −1 N. Mixes in all the three experiments were added with or without mycorrhizae. Results showed that, compared with CS, in Exp1 tomato and pepper plants grown in BC-VC mixes had similar soil-plant analyses development (SPAD), growth index (GI), and total dry weight (TDW); in Exp2 and Exp3, plants in BC mixes (80% or 90%) had lower GI and TDW. In conclusion, BC (≤70%) amended with VC mixes could be used for container tomato and pepper production without negatively affecting plant growth, while BC (80%, 90%) mixes could have some negative impacts on plant growth.

Keywords: peat moss; substrate; vermicompost; chicken manure compost (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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