- Email: [email protected]
Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill.
June 2014
ScienceDirect
Vol. 21 No. 2 28-37
Journal of Northeast Agricultural University (English Edition)
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill. Liu Qing-chao1, Wang Kui-ling1, Liu Qing-hua1*, Pan Hui-tang2, and Zhang Qi-xiang2 1
Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China
2
Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Abstract: Five kinds of agricultural castoffs, such as sawdust and powder of coconut coir, were used as growing media to substitute the peat moss for potted Cyclamen percicum. It showed that most of the substitute media could fit for the growth of the root system without disturbing the spatial development of the root. The root activities of the plants in substitute media were all higher or not significantly lower than that in the contrast peat moss (PM). The substitute media might not make adverse effects on the biosynthesis of chlorophyll of C. percicum leaves, and the nutrient components contained in the substitute media itself was none of the content of mineral elements in the leaves. The morphological indexes of C. percicum plants growing in the substitute media except in the powder of coconut coir (PCC) were all better than those in the contrast PM. The synthetically evaluation index of the plant showed that the sawdust, the powder of maize core, the powder of soybean stalk, the powder of peanut hull could take place the peat moss totally in C. percicum industrialization cultivation. Key words: agricultural castoff, Cyclamen percicum, substitute media, morphology, synthetically evaluation CLC number: S682.2+62
Document code: A
Article ID: 1006-8104(2014)-02-0028-10
very fit for the growing media. So the imported peat
Introduction
moss is often used for protecting horticulture, and of
With the gradual improvement of soilless culture,
After 1970s, with all the governments and re-
greater attention has been given to the studies on the
searchers attaching weight to the ecological environ-
growing media. The peat moss is greatly used as a kind
ment, it has become to the front research which
of perfect growing media which possesses very good
focused on the field of facility horticulture to develop
physical and chemical characteristics, stable structure,
and utilize new types of substitute growing medium
and favorable application (Li et al., 1997; Kang
which is abundantly available, low cost, pollution-
et al., 2005). China is a big consumer of peat moss,
free and easy to mass-production (Poole et al., 2003).
the consumption is more than four million tons (Meng,
According to Gerald (1991), we should mainly use
2004, 2006; Qiao, 2004), and the average price is
the organic castoff as the substitute of the traditional
course it ulteriorly increases the product cost.
-3
about 200-260 RMB • m . There are three types of peat
growing medium to achieve recycled and sustainable
swamps: raised swamps, intermediate swamps and low
utilization of the natural resources. Some foreign
level swamps, and in China the natural resources are
scholars used the compost, the agricultural castoff,
mostly composed of the latter two types, which are not
the municipal sludge as the growing media to take
Received 8 November 2013 Liu Qing-chao (1972-), male, Ph. D, associate professor, engaged in the research of garden plant cultivation. E-mail: [email protected] * Corresponding author. Liu Qing-hua, Ph. D, professor, engaged in the research of garden plant cultivation. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
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Liu Qing-chao et al. Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill.
place the peat moss partially or totally and made great
Wu Zirong from Xinzheng City, Henan Province;
achievement. The domestic researcheres (Liang et al.,
PMC was provided by Mr. Hu Yingen from Weihai,
1998; Ding et al., 1994; Li et al., 2002, 2003, 2004;
Shandong Province; PSS was provided by Mr. Gao
Long et al., 2004) used the Non Woven, the reed dust,
Kexian from Weifang, Shandong Province; SD (of
the sugarcane dust etc. as the media to grow Lyco-
Pinus koraiensis) came from Beijing MU-SEN-LIN
persicun esculentum Mill, Capsicum frutescens L.,
Wood-working Factory.
Citrullus vulgaris Schrad and Cucumis melo L. and
SD and PCC were fermented for five months, PPH,
selected optimal corresponding culture medium to
PMC, and PSS were fermented for only four months.
reduce the using of the peat moss at certain extent.
In order to keep the coherence fermentation treatment
China is abundant of the rough materials, such as
process, no fertilizer was added in. The peat moss (PM)
agricultural castoff, which can be used as soilless
from Shuangyashan City, Heilongjiang Province was
culture medium. Thus, we can reduce the consumption
used as the contrast.
of the peat moss, release the pressure of environment
C. percicum 'goldsmith' was used as model plant.
conservation and promote the sustainable development
When C. percicum seedling bearing 4-5 leaves,
of the socialist economy. In this paper, the sawdust
transplanted them into plastic pots which were 16 cm
(SD), the powder of coconut coir (PCC), the powder
in diameter using the materials mentioned above as
of maize core (PMC), the powder of soybean stalk
growing media. Kept one third of the height of bulbs
(PSS), and the powder of peanut hull (PPH) were used
above the surface of the growing media. There were 50
as research materials to analyze the feasibility of being
pots under each treatment and each pot with one plant.
used as growing media for the potted C. percicum.
The fertilizer was supplied by the Hoagland nutrient solution and kept EC 2.0-2.5. The experiment was
Materials and Methods
carried out for three times. The contents of mineral
Facilities, materials and environments
presented in Table 1.
elements in PM and different substitute media were
The experiments were made in Multi-Span Greenhouse in Qingdao Agricultural University. This greenhouse
Effects of different substitute media on root
has perfect equipments of automatic temperature
activity of potted C. percicum
control and gas exchange, which can provide a rela-
The root activity of the potted C. percicum plant under
tively steady growing environment.
different substitute media was tested by the method of
PCC was provided by Beijing Forestry University
2, 3, 5-Triphenyl Tetrazolium Chloride (TTC) stain
Forest Science Co., Ltd.; PPH was provided by Mr.
using the root tip as experimental material.
Table 1 Contents of mineral elements in PM and different substitute media
Growing medium
N (%)
P (%)
K (%)
Ca (%)
Mg (%)
Cu (mg • kg-1)
Zn (mg • kg-1)
Fe (mg • kg-1)
Mn (mg • kg-1)
PM
1.73
0.19
0.27
0.67
0.73
26.42
314.0
287.37
306.43
SD
1.02
0.03
0.57
0.46
0.50
19.84
143.7
198.63
265.31
PCC
0.84
0.15
0.39
0.51
0.41
13.63
278.5
161.92
278.36
PMC
0.54
0.07
0.95
0.33
0.24
1.12
136.2
135.27
155.02
PSS
1.27
0.12
0.79
0.43
0.51
18.47
278.2
136.77
245.71
PPH
1.05
0.24
0.06
0.62
0.43
16.89
301.5
139.63
211.77
http: //publish.neau.edu.cn
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Journal of Northeast Agricultural University (English Edition)
Vol. 21 No. 2 2014
Effects of different substitute media on plant
Effects of different substitute media on SPAD
morphology of potted C. percicum
index of potted C. percicum plant's leaf
Ten plants were selected randomly under each
Ten plants were selected randomly under each
treatment to determine the plant height (excluding
treatment, and five mature leaves from different
the flower and the flower stalk), diameter of the plant
directions of each plant were chosen to be tested
crown, number of the mature leaf, the diameter of the
SPAD index by the portable SPAD-502 chlorophyll
bulb and mature leaf in the middle of their growth and
determinator.
initial flower stage separately. Fifteen plants were selected randomly under each
Effects of substitute media on growth of
treatment to count the flower number every 10 days
potted C. percicum plant after blossoming
from October 19th, 2008 to December 19th, 2008.
without fertilization On October 21st, 10 pots of plants were chosen at
Effects of different substitute media on bio-
random from each treatment and placed in an empty
mass of potted C. percicum
room which without artificial temperature and humi-
Four plants were selected randomly under each
dity control. On October 22nd, the last time of Hoag-
treatment, the above ground fresh weight (AGFW),
land nutrients solution was provided to the plants and
the fresh weight of the bulb (FWOB) and the under
then just water provided every three days. And from
ground fresh weight (UGFW) were measured using
October 22nd, SPAD index of the leaf under different
the electronic balance (0.01 g). Afterwards, the plant
treatments were tested every 15 days. Two months
was dried at 105℃, the dry biomass of corresponding
later, the leave number, crown width and biomass
parts of the plant also was measured, they were the
were surveyed and a contrast was made to the data of
above ground dry weight (AGDW), the dry weight of
October 21st.
the bulb (DWOB) and the dry weight under ground (UGDW).
Synthetical evaluation on growth index of C. persicum in different media
Effects of different substitute media on
There were often in contradiction and even self-
mineral elements and chlorophyll of potted
contradictory of the single growth indexes when
C. percicum plant
they were used to evaluate the development of
In this experiment, the contents of mineral elements
the plant. So synthetical evaluations were used to
were all of full contents. The content of element
investigate objectively and thoroughly the growth
nitrogen (N) was measured by kieldahl method; the
reaction of C. persicum plant in different substitute
content of element phosphorus (P) was measured by
media. The following formula was used to account
the method of High Resolution Continuum Source-
the subordinate function values. In the formula, M
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry; the content of
meant the quantitative value of the certain indicator
elements potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium
in certain medium. Mmax and Mmin represented as the
(Mg), ferrum (Fe), zinc (Zn), cuprum (Cu) were tested
maximum and minimum value of the certain indicator.
by Shimadzu AA-6800 atomic absorption spectro-
The average of the subordinate function values was
photometer.
considered the comprehensive index of the plant. The
The content of chlorophyll of the leaf was tested by
bigger the index, the better the plant developed.
Ultraviolet Visible pectrometer after being extracted by the mixed liquor of ethanol and acetone. E-mail: [email protected]
X(μ)=
M–Mmin Mmax–Mmin
·31·
Liu Qing-chao et al. Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill.
contrast PM, but there was no significant difference
Results
(Fig. 2).
activity of potted C. percicum plant Data from Table 2 revealed that the root activity of the potted C. percicum in PCC was the lowest one, which was 42.8 μg • g-1 FW • h-1, significantly lower than that in PMC, PSS and PPH, but there was no significant difference to that in PM and SD. The root activities of
Type of growing medium
Effects of different substitute media on root
PPH
10.5±1.0a
PSS
10.5±1.3a
PMC
10.3±0.9a
SD
all significantly higher or not significantly lower than
16.4±1.5c
16.2±1.7c
10.5±1.2a
PM
13.6±1.1b
9.9±0.6a
0
2
those in PSS and PPH, but the data also indicated that root activities of the plants in substitute media were
15.2±1.9bc
10.8±1.2a 9.2±0.6a
PCC
the plants in PM and SD were significantly lower than
15.9±1.2c
4
6
8 10 12 Plant height (cm)
Middle growth stage
14
16
18
Initial flower stage
Fig. 1 Height of C. persicum in different media
those in the contrast PM. Table 2 Effect of different media on root activity of C. persicum (μg • g-1 FW • h-1) Growing medium
TTC reducing ability of root
PM
45.3ab
SD
45.6ab
PCC
42.8a
PMC
48.5bc
PSS
50.6c
PPH
50.7c
Type of growing medium
PPH
19.4±1.4b
PSS
30.3±2.1bc 31.6±2.4bc
19.5±1.5b
PMC
33.2±2.6c
19.5±1.0b
PCC
16.1±0.9a
SD
23.0±1.4a 37.6±3.0d
22.6±2.0c
PM
18.2±1.5b
0
5
10
28.4±2.1b
15 20 25 30 Grown diameter (cm)
Middle growth stage
35
40
Initial flower stage
Fig. 2 Crown diameter of C. persicum in different media
Different letters within the same column show significant differences
The leaf numbers of C. percicum plant in substitute
(P<0.05). The same as below.
media were all significantly higher than that in the contrast PM, but the leaf number of the plants in PCC
Effects of different substitute media on plant
significantly lower than that in other substitute media
morphology of potted C. percicum
which just had 18.6 leaves per plant (Fig. 3). As to
It showed that at middle growth stage of the
the diameter of leaves, the plant in PCC was 8.8 cm,
experiment, there was no significant difference of
significantly higher than that in the contrast PM and
the plant heights between different substitute media
SD, but there was no significant difference to other
and the contrast PM (Fig. 1). While, as to the crown
substitute media.
diameter, C. percicum plant in PCC was 16.1 cm,
At the initial flower stage, the growth indexes
significantly lower than that in the contrast PM and
of the plants in PCC were lower than that in other
other substitute media. The crown diameter of the
media. Among them, the plant heights and the crown
plant in SD was 22.6 cm, which was the biggest one
diameters were significantly lower than those in the
and significantly higher than that in PM and other
contrast PM and other substitute media, while the
substitute media. The crown diameter of the plants
leaf number and leaf diameter of the plants in PCC
in PPH, PMC and PSS was higher than that in the
were of no significant differences to the contrast http: //publish.neau.edu.cn
·32·
Journal of Northeast Agricultural University (English Edition)
Vol. 21 No. 2 2014
the contrast PM, PCC and PPH. The flower numbers
substitute media. The growth indexes of the plants
of the plants in PCC were significantly lower than
in other substitute media were all significantly or not
those in the contrast PM, and there was no significant
significantly higher than those in the contrast PM.
difference of that between PPH and the contrast PM.
PPH
39.2±4.2b
21.7±2.8bc
PSS
42.2±2.6b
22.9±2.3c
PMC
42.8±6.2b
19.9±2.5bc
PCC
18.6±3.7bc
SD
26.4±3.1a 41.0±7.7b
21.4±2.2bc
PM
32.2±5.2ab
14.0±2.4a
0
5
10
15 20 25 30 35 Leaf number (Pieces)
Middle growth stage
40
45
Flower number
Type of growing medium
PM, but significantly lower than those in other
18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
10.19
PM
SD
PCC
PMC
PSS
PPH
10.29
11.09
11.19
11.29
12.09
Days of counting
Fig. 5 Flower numbers of C. persicum in different media
Initial flower stage
Fig. 3 Leaf numbers of C. persicum in different media
Effects of different substitute media on biomass of potted C. percicum
Type of growing medium
PPH
8.4±0.6ab
10.1±0.5b
At the initial flower stage, the leaf of C. percicum in
PSS
9.5±0.8b 8.2±0.4ab
PCC was in abnormal state, which was rumpled and
PMC
9.3±0.6b 8.3±0.6ab
large. The data indicated that the total fresh biomass of the plants in PCC was 108.1 g, significantly lower than
8.4±0.4a 8.8±0.4b
PCC
10.0±0.5b
SD
8.0±0.4a
PM
8.6±0.8a 7.9±0.8a
0
2
4 6 8 Leaf diameter (cm)
Middle growth stage
10
that in the contrast PM and other substitute media. The total fresh biomasses of the plants in media SD,
12
Initial flower stage
Fig. 4 Leaf diameter of C. persicum in different media
PMC, PSS and PPH were of no significant differences between each other, but all significantly higher than those in the contrast PM. Among them, the fresh biomass of the plants in the media SD was the most highly one, which was 234.3 g (Table 3).
According to international general standards, the
The dry biomass of different parts of C. percicum
potted C. persicum might not be on sale unless it has
plants in different growing media was of significant
more than seven flowers. In the cultivation process
difference. Among them, AGDW and DWOB of
of C. persicum, it bloomed successively from early
the plants in PCC, which were 7.56 g and 0.56 g,
October. Up to November 19th, it achieved more than
significantly lower than those in the contrast PM and
seven flowers per plant, and arrived to the selling
other substitute media, while UGDW was significantly
standard in the media of SD, PMC and PSS. The plants
higher than that in contrast PM, but significantly
in PPH and the contrast PM arrived to the selling
lower than that in other substitute media. AGDW and
standard at November 29th. But the plants in PCC still
UGDW of the plants in SD reached to 15.30 g and
had few flowers. By the time of December 9th, the
2.72 g, which were the most highly ones. DWOB of
plants in all the growing media including the contrast
the plants in PPH was 1.10 g, higher than that in the
PM and the substitute media arrived the selling
contrast PM and other substitute media (Table 3).
standard, and in which, the flower numbers of the
From Table 4, we knew that there were no signi-
plants in SD, PMC and PSS were higher than those in
ficant differences of the contents of the elements K,
E-mail: [email protected]
·33·
Liu Qing-chao et al. Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill.
Mn and Cu among the plants which were in different
in PM, SD and PPH, SPAD index of the plants in PCC
growing media. Comparatively speaking, the contents
was significantly lower than that in SD, PMC and
of the elements Ca, Mg, Zn, and Fe of C. persicum
PPH, but was not significantly different to the plants
plant in PCC were relatively low, and were signifi-
growing in the contrast PM. The chlorophyll content
cantly different to the plants in PM and other substitute
of the plant in SD was 1.086 mg • g-1 FW which was
media. The correlativity analyses between the ele-
the highest one, according to SPAD indexes, the
ments contents of C. persicum leaves and the unused
highest one was the plant in PPH and SD, which were
growing media showed that the relativities of N and
51.2 and 50.2. At the initial flower stage, there were
Mg were 0.4569 and 0.4688. But to other elements, the
no significant differences of the chlorophyll content of
relativities were very low and even negative correla-
C. persicum plants between other growing media.
tions were found. So according to the author, there
There was no significant difference of SPAD index of
was no noticeable effect of the growing medium itself
the plants in PCC and PSS, but was both significantly
on the element contents of the plants. The determinant
lower than that in the contrast PM. SPAD indexes of
might be the nutrient solution.
the plants in the substitute media of SD, PMC, PPH
At the middle growth stage, the chlorophyll content
and the contrast PM were of no significant difference
of the plants in PCC was significantly lower than that
(Table 5).
Table 3 Biomass of C. percicum in different growing media
Growing medium PM SD PCC PMC PSS PPH
Biomass of fresh weight
Biomass of dry weight
AGFW
FWOB
UGFW
Total
AGDW
DWOB
UGDW
Total
104.8±8.8 199.3±12.8 91.5±9.2 165.1±10.9 177.8±18.6 142.3±12.7
6.7±0.8 7.2±1.7 5.6±1.1 6.5±0.8 6.2±1.1 9.2±0.7
7.6±0.4 27.8±3.2 11.0±2.0 15.2±0.8 18.2±3.4 16.6±3.0
119.1b 234.3d 108.1a 186.8cd 201.8d 168.1c
10.31±0.75 15.30±0.88 7.56±0.485 14.17±0.40 14.71±1.76 11.88±1.31
0.65±0.15 0.78±0.21 0.56±0.19 0.69±0.13 0.68±0.18 1.10±0.11
0.72±0.05 2.72±0.43 0.96±0.13 1.29±0.05 1.56±0.33 1.51±0.31
11.68 b 18.80 c 9.07 a 16.14 c 16.95 c 14.48 c
Table 4 Contents of mineral elements of C. persicum in different media Growing medium PM SD PCC PMC PSS PPH Related coefficient *
N (%) 3.23ab 3.60b 3.17ab 3.48ab 3.17ab 2.84a –0.2637
P (%) 0.29ab 0.24a 0.35b 0.36b 0.34b 0.36b 0.4569
K (%) 1.46 1.55 1.35 1.43 1.56 1.58 –0.1320
Ca (%) 1.46b 1.13ab 1.01a 1.25ab 1.23ab 1.06ab 0.1763
Mg (%) 0.60b 0.54b 0.44a 0.54b 0.57b 0.58b 0.4688
Mn (mg • kg-1) 320.25 322.19 265.63 295.17 312.66 278.26 0.2712
Zn (mg • kg-1) 121.07a 155.46b 104.91a 134.19ab 123.90ab 131.14ab –0.6937
Cu (mg • kg-1) 13.19 12.84 10.52 13.27 15.07 13.30 0.1393
Fe (mg • kg-1) 342.46c 316.07b 278.01a 344.08c 344.99c 351.67c –0.0172
* Relativities between the element contents of the growing medium itself and the element contents of the plants.
months of no fertilization, the above ground biomass Effects of substitute media on growth of
(AGFW) of all the plants in the contrast PM and
potted C. percicum plant after blossoming
substitute media obviously increased by about 10%.
without fertilization
AGFW of the plants in SD increased by 9.9%, which
The results from Table 6 indicated that after two
was the lowest one, significantly lower than that in http: //publish.neau.edu.cn
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Journal of Northeast Agricultural University (English Edition)
Vol. 21 No. 2 2014
the contrast PM, but that not proved that SD was
the absolute increment of the plants was still higher
disadvantageous to the increasing of AGFW of the
than that in PM. The rises of crown diameter and
potted C. percicum plant without fertilization, for
leaf number of the plants in PCC were significantly
AGFW of the plants in SD was almost two times of
lower than those in the contrast PM, and there were
that in the contrast PM at the time of beginning to
no significant differences of the same growth indexes
stop fertilization. Although AGFW of the plants in SD
among other substitute media and other substitute
increased a lesser extent than that in the contrast PM,
media between PM (Figs. 6-8).
Table 5 SPAD index and Chlorophyll content of C. persicum
Growing medium
SPAD index
Chlorophyll content（mg • g-1 FW） Middle growth stage
Initial flower stage
PM
0.972±0.053bc
1.171±0.058a
Middle growth stage 48.0±3.4abc
Initial flower stage 49.9±3.7b
SD
1.086±0.042c
1.149±0.153a
50.2±3.3cd
49.8±3.7b
PCC
0.803±0.025a
0.958±0.071a
45.5±3.8a
45.5±3.3a
PMC
0.892±0.049ab
1.102±0.080a
49.1±2.8bcd
49.7±3.2b
PSS
0.881±0.104ab
1.031±0.149a
46.6±3.2ab
48.1±3.4ab
PPH
0.986±0.026bc
1.051±0.113a
51.2±3.1d
50.5±4.1b
Table 6 Growth index of C. persicum in different media after two months no fertilization Growing medium
AGFW (g • plant-1) Increase percentage Crown diameter (cm) Increase percentage
PM
116.6
SD PCC
Leaf number
Increase percentage
11.3b
32.2
12.6b
40.3
20.3b
219.1
9.9a
41.1
11.4ab
49.9
18.5b
101.2
10.7ab
25.7
9.4a
30.3
12.6a
PMC
184.1
11.6b
38.4
11.0ab
51.7
19.7b
PSS
197.2
11.4b
34.8
10.1ab
50.2
19.2b
PPH
156.0
12.6b
34.8
11.5ab
48.3
21.4b
PM
SD
PCC
PMC
PSS
PPH
PSS
PPH
Fig. 6 C. persicum in middle period of growth in different media
PM
SD
PCC
Fig. 7 C. persicum in flowering period in different media E-mail: [email protected]
PMC
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Liu Qing-chao et al. Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill.
PM
SD
PCC
PMC
PSS
PPH
Fig. 8 C. persicum root system in different media
In the long period of no fertilization, SPAD indexes
plants (Table 7) .
of the plants in all the substitute media except PCC were higher or not significantly lower than those in
Synthetical evaluation on growth index of
PM. At the time of 60 days of no fertilization, SPAD
C. persicum in different media
indexes of the plants in PM and all the substitute
There are so many evaluation indexes to indicate
media except PCC were of no significant differences.
the state of plant growing, but the single index is
And with the increasing of the days of no fertilization,
unilateral to illustrate the comprehensive character of
SPAD indexes of the plants in all the growing media
the plant. So we used comprehensive index to estimate
were improved at different degrees. That was probably
the plants. It showed that comprehensive indexes of
the result of experimental error, because there was 60
the plants in SD, PMC, PSS, and PPH were 0.882,
days of interval between the first and the last time of
0.832, 0.762 and 0.742, which were higher than those
measurements. But the experimental results at least
in the contrast PM. While comprehensive index of the
indicated that compared with the contrast PM, the
plants in PCC was 0.04, lower than those in PM. This
substitute media could not make further bad effects
suggested that PCC was not a very good cultivating
on the growth of C. persicum plants in the long period
medium for C. persicum. Those four kinds of
of no fertilization. Furthermore, a lot of nutrients
substitutes could be used to take place of the peat moss
had been stored up in the inflated bulbs, which could
totally as soilless growing media. As to PCC, it should
provide enough nutritions for the development of the
be first adjusted appropriately before using (Table 8) .
Table 7 SPAD indexes of C. persicum leaves in different media without fertilization
Growing medium
Without fertilization (Day) 0
15
30
45
60
PM
48.6abc
47.7ab
50.3b
44.6ab
52.6b
SD
50.6bc
49.5b
50.1b
46.6c
53.3b
PCC
45.9a
45.0a
46.1a
44.2ab
47.2a
PMC
49.1bc
49.3b
50.5b
43.3a
49.9ab
PSS
47.6ab
48.1b
48.4ab
43.9ab
51.7ab
PPH
51.7c
48.7b
51.5b
45.5bc
51.7ab
http: //publish.neau.edu.cn
·36·
Journal of Northeast Agricultural University (English Edition)
Vol. 21 No. 2 2014
Table 8 Synthetical evaluation on growth index of C. persicum in different media
Growing medium
Initial flower stage
Two months no fertilization
Synthetically evaluation index
Plant height
Crown diameter
Leaf number
Leaf diameter
AGFW
Flower number
SPAD
AGFW
Crown diameter
Leaf number
PM
0.50
0.37
0.35
0.12
0.27
0.00
0.88
0.13
0.42
0.47
0.351
SD
0.96
1.00
0.84
0.94
1.00
0.30
0.86
1.00
1.00
0.92
0.882
PCC
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.40
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.040
PMC
1.00
0.70
1.00
0.53
0.73
1.00
0.84
0.70
0.82
1.00
0.832
PSS
0.79
0.59
0.96
0.65
0.81
0.97
0.52
0.81
0.59
0.93
0.762
PPH
0.91
0.50
0.78
1.00
0.56
0.78
1.00
0.46
0.59
0.84
0.742
ments came into blossom in succession. By November
Discussion
19, the plants in SD, PMC and PSS reached marke-
The root is the vegetative organ of the plant under-
10 days in advance than that in PM. By December
ground, and it's also an active organ specialized for
9, the plants in all the treatments achieved listing
sucking and compounding nourishment. Together with
standard. Of the blooming situation, the plants in all
the organ of aboveground, they make up a production
the substitute media except in PCC were better than
system. The physical and chemical characteristics
those in the contrast PM.
of the growing media greatly affect the developing
The chlorophyll content is an important indicator
of the root system, and then indirectly affect the
to represent the plant growth, and also can provide
morphogenesis of the aboveground. There is a physical
reliable reference to monitor the nitrogen level of
contact between the root system and the growing
the plants and to quantitatively fertilization. The envi-
medium, the medium of superior quality can afford a
ronmental factors, such as mineral element, illu-
favorable root rhizosphere and steady supplying of the
mination, temperature and even air humidity, have
water and nutrients. From the cultivating experiment,
great influence on the biosynthesis of chlorophyll. This
we knew that in the growth process of C. persicum,
research showed that the Hoagland nutrient solution
most of the production of photosynthesis were trans-
could provide stable and balanced source of nutri-
ported to the above ground, so the biomass of the
tion for C. persicum plant, and the substitute media
leaves of the plant took 80% biomass. Under the
could not make adverse effects to the biosynthesis
same condition, all the substitute media except PCC,
of chlorophyll of the plants compared to the contrast
could provide enough nutritive material and perfect
PM.
environment for C. persicum plant. At the middle
C. persicum plant is sensitive to nutrient deficiency
growth stage, C. persicum plant in PCC had a poor
or nutrient excess, the former researches have indi-
development. At the flowering period, the plant height,
cated that the total fertilization concentration should
crown diameter, leaf number, and leaf diameter of the
be about 2 g • L -1 (Tang et al., 2006; Mao et al.,
plant in PCC were all lower than those in other media,
2010). After two months of no fertilization, the plant
and made a poor stuff. The synthetically evaluation
height, crown diameter, and leaf number of the plants
indexes of the plants in all the substitute media except
in all media have increased at different levels, but
PCC were higher than those in the contrast PM.
it increased smaller in PCC, and that proved PCC
In the middle of October, the plants in all the treat-
was not a good growing medium for C. persicum
E-mail: [email protected]
table size (possess seven flowers), which were about
·37·
Liu Qing-chao et al. Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill.
plant. The growth indexes of C. persicum plants
515-519.
in other substitute media were all no significant or
Li Q S, Bu C X, Ye J, et al. 2003. Optimization of reed residue substrate
significantly higher than those in the contrast PM. It
formula for tomato plug seedling production. Acta Agriculturae
had accumulated a lot of nutritions in C. persicum bulb
Shanghai, 4: 73-75.
by the time of the initial flower stage, compared with
Li Q S, Guo S R, Weng M L, et al. 2003. Reed residue substrate formula
the contrast PM, the substitute media will not lead to
for capsicum plug seedling production. Acta Agriculturae Universitis
nutrient deficiency in the growth process.
Jiangxiensis, 3: 347-350. Li Q S, Guo S R, LI S J. 2004. The relationship of the EC of the growth
Conclusions
media and the development of the crops and its determination method. China Vegetable, l: 70-71.
Based on the above data analyses, it is suggested that
Li Q S. 2003, The study on application basics of reed residue substrate
most plant fibrous materials could be used as sub-
and discussion on the quality standard of horticultural substrate.
stitute media to take place of PM totally or partially in
Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing.
cultivation for C. persicum and the growth potentials
Li S J, Gao L H, Zhuang Z L. 1997. Achievement new technology of
were generally better than those in PM. But the sub-
the recent past in soilless culture in China and its trend. Journal of
stitute media had lower performance of preserving
Changjiang Vegetables, 5: 1-6.
moisture and fertility, under normal cultivating con-
Long M H, Tang X F, Yu W J. 2004. The effect of the composted
ditions, the plants developed well, but in order to keep
bagasse as growing substrate for the watermelon and the melon.
the plants in good conditions, the substitute media
Journal of Agricultural Science, 6: 310-313.
depended more on extraneous nutrients from the nutrient solution than PM.
Mao H Y, ZHao X H, Liu D. 2010. Effect of different ratios of nitrogen,phoshorus and potassiuim on the growth of Cyclamen persicum. Journal of Northwest Forestry University, 2: 83-86.
References Ding Z H, Kang N, Wu X W, et al. 1994. Research on the soilless turf grass mat production. Journal of Wuhan Botanical Research, 3: 28-30.
Meng X M. 2004. Utilization and development on resources of the peat in China. Humic Acid, 5: 24-29. Meng X M. 2006. The deposit, characteristic and exploitation strategy of peat resources in China. Journal of Natural Resources, 4: 567-574.
Gerald K. 1991. Quality control and use of composed organic wasters as
Poole H A, Wang Z Q, Meng X M. 2003. Compare of the powder of
components of growing media in the Federal Repuplic of Germany.
coconut coir and peat moss for horticultural media in Canada. Humic
Acta Horticulturae, 294: 89-99.
Acid, 1: 35-38.
Kang H M, Zhang Q X, Tang J. 2005. Research advances on growth media. Chinese Journal of Soil Science, 1: 124-127. Liang Y L, Zhang D H, Xiang Q H. 1998. Medium for culturing carpet lawn in Guizhou. Guizhou Agricultural Sciences, 5: 33-34. Li Q S, Guo S R, Li S J. 2002. Utilization of organic wastes for manufacturing soilless media. Journal of Natural Resources, 4:
Qiao D H. 2004. Resources of the peat in China-attaching equal importance to both development and protection. China Flower & Horticulture, 22: 1-2. Tang Sh H, Shi W Y, Yu Q F, et al. 2006. Studies on macronureient absorption in cyclamen cultivated in soilless medium. Acta Horticulturae Sinica, 4: 894-895.
http: //publish.neau.edu.cn
ScienceDirect
Vol. 21 No. 2 28-37
Journal of Northeast Agricultural University (English Edition)
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill. Liu Qing-chao1, Wang Kui-ling1, Liu Qing-hua1*, Pan Hui-tang2, and Zhang Qi-xiang2 1
Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong, China
2
Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Abstract: Five kinds of agricultural castoffs, such as sawdust and powder of coconut coir, were used as growing media to substitute the peat moss for potted Cyclamen percicum. It showed that most of the substitute media could fit for the growth of the root system without disturbing the spatial development of the root. The root activities of the plants in substitute media were all higher or not significantly lower than that in the contrast peat moss (PM). The substitute media might not make adverse effects on the biosynthesis of chlorophyll of C. percicum leaves, and the nutrient components contained in the substitute media itself was none of the content of mineral elements in the leaves. The morphological indexes of C. percicum plants growing in the substitute media except in the powder of coconut coir (PCC) were all better than those in the contrast PM. The synthetically evaluation index of the plant showed that the sawdust, the powder of maize core, the powder of soybean stalk, the powder of peanut hull could take place the peat moss totally in C. percicum industrialization cultivation. Key words: agricultural castoff, Cyclamen percicum, substitute media, morphology, synthetically evaluation CLC number: S682.2+62
Document code: A
Article ID: 1006-8104(2014)-02-0028-10
very fit for the growing media. So the imported peat
Introduction
moss is often used for protecting horticulture, and of
With the gradual improvement of soilless culture,
After 1970s, with all the governments and re-
greater attention has been given to the studies on the
searchers attaching weight to the ecological environ-
growing media. The peat moss is greatly used as a kind
ment, it has become to the front research which
of perfect growing media which possesses very good
focused on the field of facility horticulture to develop
physical and chemical characteristics, stable structure,
and utilize new types of substitute growing medium
and favorable application (Li et al., 1997; Kang
which is abundantly available, low cost, pollution-
et al., 2005). China is a big consumer of peat moss,
free and easy to mass-production (Poole et al., 2003).
the consumption is more than four million tons (Meng,
According to Gerald (1991), we should mainly use
2004, 2006; Qiao, 2004), and the average price is
the organic castoff as the substitute of the traditional
course it ulteriorly increases the product cost.
-3
about 200-260 RMB • m . There are three types of peat
growing medium to achieve recycled and sustainable
swamps: raised swamps, intermediate swamps and low
utilization of the natural resources. Some foreign
level swamps, and in China the natural resources are
scholars used the compost, the agricultural castoff,
mostly composed of the latter two types, which are not
the municipal sludge as the growing media to take
Received 8 November 2013 Liu Qing-chao (1972-), male, Ph. D, associate professor, engaged in the research of garden plant cultivation. E-mail: [email protected] * Corresponding author. Liu Qing-hua, Ph. D, professor, engaged in the research of garden plant cultivation. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
·29·
Liu Qing-chao et al. Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill.
place the peat moss partially or totally and made great
Wu Zirong from Xinzheng City, Henan Province;
achievement. The domestic researcheres (Liang et al.,
PMC was provided by Mr. Hu Yingen from Weihai,
1998; Ding et al., 1994; Li et al., 2002, 2003, 2004;
Shandong Province; PSS was provided by Mr. Gao
Long et al., 2004) used the Non Woven, the reed dust,
Kexian from Weifang, Shandong Province; SD (of
the sugarcane dust etc. as the media to grow Lyco-
Pinus koraiensis) came from Beijing MU-SEN-LIN
persicun esculentum Mill, Capsicum frutescens L.,
Wood-working Factory.
Citrullus vulgaris Schrad and Cucumis melo L. and
SD and PCC were fermented for five months, PPH,
selected optimal corresponding culture medium to
PMC, and PSS were fermented for only four months.
reduce the using of the peat moss at certain extent.
In order to keep the coherence fermentation treatment
China is abundant of the rough materials, such as
process, no fertilizer was added in. The peat moss (PM)
agricultural castoff, which can be used as soilless
from Shuangyashan City, Heilongjiang Province was
culture medium. Thus, we can reduce the consumption
used as the contrast.
of the peat moss, release the pressure of environment
C. percicum 'goldsmith' was used as model plant.
conservation and promote the sustainable development
When C. percicum seedling bearing 4-5 leaves,
of the socialist economy. In this paper, the sawdust
transplanted them into plastic pots which were 16 cm
(SD), the powder of coconut coir (PCC), the powder
in diameter using the materials mentioned above as
of maize core (PMC), the powder of soybean stalk
growing media. Kept one third of the height of bulbs
(PSS), and the powder of peanut hull (PPH) were used
above the surface of the growing media. There were 50
as research materials to analyze the feasibility of being
pots under each treatment and each pot with one plant.
used as growing media for the potted C. percicum.
The fertilizer was supplied by the Hoagland nutrient solution and kept EC 2.0-2.5. The experiment was
Materials and Methods
carried out for three times. The contents of mineral
Facilities, materials and environments
presented in Table 1.
elements in PM and different substitute media were
The experiments were made in Multi-Span Greenhouse in Qingdao Agricultural University. This greenhouse
Effects of different substitute media on root
has perfect equipments of automatic temperature
activity of potted C. percicum
control and gas exchange, which can provide a rela-
The root activity of the potted C. percicum plant under
tively steady growing environment.
different substitute media was tested by the method of
PCC was provided by Beijing Forestry University
2, 3, 5-Triphenyl Tetrazolium Chloride (TTC) stain
Forest Science Co., Ltd.; PPH was provided by Mr.
using the root tip as experimental material.
Table 1 Contents of mineral elements in PM and different substitute media
Growing medium
N (%)
P (%)
K (%)
Ca (%)
Mg (%)
Cu (mg • kg-1)
Zn (mg • kg-1)
Fe (mg • kg-1)
Mn (mg • kg-1)
PM
1.73
0.19
0.27
0.67
0.73
26.42
314.0
287.37
306.43
SD
1.02
0.03
0.57
0.46
0.50
19.84
143.7
198.63
265.31
PCC
0.84
0.15
0.39
0.51
0.41
13.63
278.5
161.92
278.36
PMC
0.54
0.07
0.95
0.33
0.24
1.12
136.2
135.27
155.02
PSS
1.27
0.12
0.79
0.43
0.51
18.47
278.2
136.77
245.71
PPH
1.05
0.24
0.06
0.62
0.43
16.89
301.5
139.63
211.77
http: //publish.neau.edu.cn
·30·
Journal of Northeast Agricultural University (English Edition)
Vol. 21 No. 2 2014
Effects of different substitute media on plant
Effects of different substitute media on SPAD
morphology of potted C. percicum
index of potted C. percicum plant's leaf
Ten plants were selected randomly under each
Ten plants were selected randomly under each
treatment to determine the plant height (excluding
treatment, and five mature leaves from different
the flower and the flower stalk), diameter of the plant
directions of each plant were chosen to be tested
crown, number of the mature leaf, the diameter of the
SPAD index by the portable SPAD-502 chlorophyll
bulb and mature leaf in the middle of their growth and
determinator.
initial flower stage separately. Fifteen plants were selected randomly under each
Effects of substitute media on growth of
treatment to count the flower number every 10 days
potted C. percicum plant after blossoming
from October 19th, 2008 to December 19th, 2008.
without fertilization On October 21st, 10 pots of plants were chosen at
Effects of different substitute media on bio-
random from each treatment and placed in an empty
mass of potted C. percicum
room which without artificial temperature and humi-
Four plants were selected randomly under each
dity control. On October 22nd, the last time of Hoag-
treatment, the above ground fresh weight (AGFW),
land nutrients solution was provided to the plants and
the fresh weight of the bulb (FWOB) and the under
then just water provided every three days. And from
ground fresh weight (UGFW) were measured using
October 22nd, SPAD index of the leaf under different
the electronic balance (0.01 g). Afterwards, the plant
treatments were tested every 15 days. Two months
was dried at 105℃, the dry biomass of corresponding
later, the leave number, crown width and biomass
parts of the plant also was measured, they were the
were surveyed and a contrast was made to the data of
above ground dry weight (AGDW), the dry weight of
October 21st.
the bulb (DWOB) and the dry weight under ground (UGDW).
Synthetical evaluation on growth index of C. persicum in different media
Effects of different substitute media on
There were often in contradiction and even self-
mineral elements and chlorophyll of potted
contradictory of the single growth indexes when
C. percicum plant
they were used to evaluate the development of
In this experiment, the contents of mineral elements
the plant. So synthetical evaluations were used to
were all of full contents. The content of element
investigate objectively and thoroughly the growth
nitrogen (N) was measured by kieldahl method; the
reaction of C. persicum plant in different substitute
content of element phosphorus (P) was measured by
media. The following formula was used to account
the method of High Resolution Continuum Source-
the subordinate function values. In the formula, M
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry; the content of
meant the quantitative value of the certain indicator
elements potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium
in certain medium. Mmax and Mmin represented as the
(Mg), ferrum (Fe), zinc (Zn), cuprum (Cu) were tested
maximum and minimum value of the certain indicator.
by Shimadzu AA-6800 atomic absorption spectro-
The average of the subordinate function values was
photometer.
considered the comprehensive index of the plant. The
The content of chlorophyll of the leaf was tested by
bigger the index, the better the plant developed.
Ultraviolet Visible pectrometer after being extracted by the mixed liquor of ethanol and acetone. E-mail: [email protected]
X(μ)=
M–Mmin Mmax–Mmin
·31·
Liu Qing-chao et al. Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill.
contrast PM, but there was no significant difference
Results
(Fig. 2).
activity of potted C. percicum plant Data from Table 2 revealed that the root activity of the potted C. percicum in PCC was the lowest one, which was 42.8 μg • g-1 FW • h-1, significantly lower than that in PMC, PSS and PPH, but there was no significant difference to that in PM and SD. The root activities of
Type of growing medium
Effects of different substitute media on root
PPH
10.5±1.0a
PSS
10.5±1.3a
PMC
10.3±0.9a
SD
all significantly higher or not significantly lower than
16.4±1.5c
16.2±1.7c
10.5±1.2a
PM
13.6±1.1b
9.9±0.6a
0
2
those in PSS and PPH, but the data also indicated that root activities of the plants in substitute media were
15.2±1.9bc
10.8±1.2a 9.2±0.6a
PCC
the plants in PM and SD were significantly lower than
15.9±1.2c
4
6
8 10 12 Plant height (cm)
Middle growth stage
14
16
18
Initial flower stage
Fig. 1 Height of C. persicum in different media
those in the contrast PM. Table 2 Effect of different media on root activity of C. persicum (μg • g-1 FW • h-1) Growing medium
TTC reducing ability of root
PM
45.3ab
SD
45.6ab
PCC
42.8a
PMC
48.5bc
PSS
50.6c
PPH
50.7c
Type of growing medium
PPH
19.4±1.4b
PSS
30.3±2.1bc 31.6±2.4bc
19.5±1.5b
PMC
33.2±2.6c
19.5±1.0b
PCC
16.1±0.9a
SD
23.0±1.4a 37.6±3.0d
22.6±2.0c
PM
18.2±1.5b
0
5
10
28.4±2.1b
15 20 25 30 Grown diameter (cm)
Middle growth stage
35
40
Initial flower stage
Fig. 2 Crown diameter of C. persicum in different media
Different letters within the same column show significant differences
The leaf numbers of C. percicum plant in substitute
(P<0.05). The same as below.
media were all significantly higher than that in the contrast PM, but the leaf number of the plants in PCC
Effects of different substitute media on plant
significantly lower than that in other substitute media
morphology of potted C. percicum
which just had 18.6 leaves per plant (Fig. 3). As to
It showed that at middle growth stage of the
the diameter of leaves, the plant in PCC was 8.8 cm,
experiment, there was no significant difference of
significantly higher than that in the contrast PM and
the plant heights between different substitute media
SD, but there was no significant difference to other
and the contrast PM (Fig. 1). While, as to the crown
substitute media.
diameter, C. percicum plant in PCC was 16.1 cm,
At the initial flower stage, the growth indexes
significantly lower than that in the contrast PM and
of the plants in PCC were lower than that in other
other substitute media. The crown diameter of the
media. Among them, the plant heights and the crown
plant in SD was 22.6 cm, which was the biggest one
diameters were significantly lower than those in the
and significantly higher than that in PM and other
contrast PM and other substitute media, while the
substitute media. The crown diameter of the plants
leaf number and leaf diameter of the plants in PCC
in PPH, PMC and PSS was higher than that in the
were of no significant differences to the contrast http: //publish.neau.edu.cn
·32·
Journal of Northeast Agricultural University (English Edition)
Vol. 21 No. 2 2014
the contrast PM, PCC and PPH. The flower numbers
substitute media. The growth indexes of the plants
of the plants in PCC were significantly lower than
in other substitute media were all significantly or not
those in the contrast PM, and there was no significant
significantly higher than those in the contrast PM.
difference of that between PPH and the contrast PM.
PPH
39.2±4.2b
21.7±2.8bc
PSS
42.2±2.6b
22.9±2.3c
PMC
42.8±6.2b
19.9±2.5bc
PCC
18.6±3.7bc
SD
26.4±3.1a 41.0±7.7b
21.4±2.2bc
PM
32.2±5.2ab
14.0±2.4a
0
5
10
15 20 25 30 35 Leaf number (Pieces)
Middle growth stage
40
45
Flower number
Type of growing medium
PM, but significantly lower than those in other
18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
10.19
PM
SD
PCC
PMC
PSS
PPH
10.29
11.09
11.19
11.29
12.09
Days of counting
Fig. 5 Flower numbers of C. persicum in different media
Initial flower stage
Fig. 3 Leaf numbers of C. persicum in different media
Effects of different substitute media on biomass of potted C. percicum
Type of growing medium
PPH
8.4±0.6ab
10.1±0.5b
At the initial flower stage, the leaf of C. percicum in
PSS
9.5±0.8b 8.2±0.4ab
PCC was in abnormal state, which was rumpled and
PMC
9.3±0.6b 8.3±0.6ab
large. The data indicated that the total fresh biomass of the plants in PCC was 108.1 g, significantly lower than
8.4±0.4a 8.8±0.4b
PCC
10.0±0.5b
SD
8.0±0.4a
PM
8.6±0.8a 7.9±0.8a
0
2
4 6 8 Leaf diameter (cm)
Middle growth stage
10
that in the contrast PM and other substitute media. The total fresh biomasses of the plants in media SD,
12
Initial flower stage
Fig. 4 Leaf diameter of C. persicum in different media
PMC, PSS and PPH were of no significant differences between each other, but all significantly higher than those in the contrast PM. Among them, the fresh biomass of the plants in the media SD was the most highly one, which was 234.3 g (Table 3).
According to international general standards, the
The dry biomass of different parts of C. percicum
potted C. persicum might not be on sale unless it has
plants in different growing media was of significant
more than seven flowers. In the cultivation process
difference. Among them, AGDW and DWOB of
of C. persicum, it bloomed successively from early
the plants in PCC, which were 7.56 g and 0.56 g,
October. Up to November 19th, it achieved more than
significantly lower than those in the contrast PM and
seven flowers per plant, and arrived to the selling
other substitute media, while UGDW was significantly
standard in the media of SD, PMC and PSS. The plants
higher than that in contrast PM, but significantly
in PPH and the contrast PM arrived to the selling
lower than that in other substitute media. AGDW and
standard at November 29th. But the plants in PCC still
UGDW of the plants in SD reached to 15.30 g and
had few flowers. By the time of December 9th, the
2.72 g, which were the most highly ones. DWOB of
plants in all the growing media including the contrast
the plants in PPH was 1.10 g, higher than that in the
PM and the substitute media arrived the selling
contrast PM and other substitute media (Table 3).
standard, and in which, the flower numbers of the
From Table 4, we knew that there were no signi-
plants in SD, PMC and PSS were higher than those in
ficant differences of the contents of the elements K,
E-mail: [email protected]
·33·
Liu Qing-chao et al. Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill.
Mn and Cu among the plants which were in different
in PM, SD and PPH, SPAD index of the plants in PCC
growing media. Comparatively speaking, the contents
was significantly lower than that in SD, PMC and
of the elements Ca, Mg, Zn, and Fe of C. persicum
PPH, but was not significantly different to the plants
plant in PCC were relatively low, and were signifi-
growing in the contrast PM. The chlorophyll content
cantly different to the plants in PM and other substitute
of the plant in SD was 1.086 mg • g-1 FW which was
media. The correlativity analyses between the ele-
the highest one, according to SPAD indexes, the
ments contents of C. persicum leaves and the unused
highest one was the plant in PPH and SD, which were
growing media showed that the relativities of N and
51.2 and 50.2. At the initial flower stage, there were
Mg were 0.4569 and 0.4688. But to other elements, the
no significant differences of the chlorophyll content of
relativities were very low and even negative correla-
C. persicum plants between other growing media.
tions were found. So according to the author, there
There was no significant difference of SPAD index of
was no noticeable effect of the growing medium itself
the plants in PCC and PSS, but was both significantly
on the element contents of the plants. The determinant
lower than that in the contrast PM. SPAD indexes of
might be the nutrient solution.
the plants in the substitute media of SD, PMC, PPH
At the middle growth stage, the chlorophyll content
and the contrast PM were of no significant difference
of the plants in PCC was significantly lower than that
(Table 5).
Table 3 Biomass of C. percicum in different growing media
Growing medium PM SD PCC PMC PSS PPH
Biomass of fresh weight
Biomass of dry weight
AGFW
FWOB
UGFW
Total
AGDW
DWOB
UGDW
Total
104.8±8.8 199.3±12.8 91.5±9.2 165.1±10.9 177.8±18.6 142.3±12.7
6.7±0.8 7.2±1.7 5.6±1.1 6.5±0.8 6.2±1.1 9.2±0.7
7.6±0.4 27.8±3.2 11.0±2.0 15.2±0.8 18.2±3.4 16.6±3.0
119.1b 234.3d 108.1a 186.8cd 201.8d 168.1c
10.31±0.75 15.30±0.88 7.56±0.485 14.17±0.40 14.71±1.76 11.88±1.31
0.65±0.15 0.78±0.21 0.56±0.19 0.69±0.13 0.68±0.18 1.10±0.11
0.72±0.05 2.72±0.43 0.96±0.13 1.29±0.05 1.56±0.33 1.51±0.31
11.68 b 18.80 c 9.07 a 16.14 c 16.95 c 14.48 c
Table 4 Contents of mineral elements of C. persicum in different media Growing medium PM SD PCC PMC PSS PPH Related coefficient *
N (%) 3.23ab 3.60b 3.17ab 3.48ab 3.17ab 2.84a –0.2637
P (%) 0.29ab 0.24a 0.35b 0.36b 0.34b 0.36b 0.4569
K (%) 1.46 1.55 1.35 1.43 1.56 1.58 –0.1320
Ca (%) 1.46b 1.13ab 1.01a 1.25ab 1.23ab 1.06ab 0.1763
Mg (%) 0.60b 0.54b 0.44a 0.54b 0.57b 0.58b 0.4688
Mn (mg • kg-1) 320.25 322.19 265.63 295.17 312.66 278.26 0.2712
Zn (mg • kg-1) 121.07a 155.46b 104.91a 134.19ab 123.90ab 131.14ab –0.6937
Cu (mg • kg-1) 13.19 12.84 10.52 13.27 15.07 13.30 0.1393
Fe (mg • kg-1) 342.46c 316.07b 278.01a 344.08c 344.99c 351.67c –0.0172
* Relativities between the element contents of the growing medium itself and the element contents of the plants.
months of no fertilization, the above ground biomass Effects of substitute media on growth of
(AGFW) of all the plants in the contrast PM and
potted C. percicum plant after blossoming
substitute media obviously increased by about 10%.
without fertilization
AGFW of the plants in SD increased by 9.9%, which
The results from Table 6 indicated that after two
was the lowest one, significantly lower than that in http: //publish.neau.edu.cn
·34·
Journal of Northeast Agricultural University (English Edition)
Vol. 21 No. 2 2014
the contrast PM, but that not proved that SD was
the absolute increment of the plants was still higher
disadvantageous to the increasing of AGFW of the
than that in PM. The rises of crown diameter and
potted C. percicum plant without fertilization, for
leaf number of the plants in PCC were significantly
AGFW of the plants in SD was almost two times of
lower than those in the contrast PM, and there were
that in the contrast PM at the time of beginning to
no significant differences of the same growth indexes
stop fertilization. Although AGFW of the plants in SD
among other substitute media and other substitute
increased a lesser extent than that in the contrast PM,
media between PM (Figs. 6-8).
Table 5 SPAD index and Chlorophyll content of C. persicum
Growing medium
SPAD index
Chlorophyll content（mg • g-1 FW） Middle growth stage
Initial flower stage
PM
0.972±0.053bc
1.171±0.058a
Middle growth stage 48.0±3.4abc
Initial flower stage 49.9±3.7b
SD
1.086±0.042c
1.149±0.153a
50.2±3.3cd
49.8±3.7b
PCC
0.803±0.025a
0.958±0.071a
45.5±3.8a
45.5±3.3a
PMC
0.892±0.049ab
1.102±0.080a
49.1±2.8bcd
49.7±3.2b
PSS
0.881±0.104ab
1.031±0.149a
46.6±3.2ab
48.1±3.4ab
PPH
0.986±0.026bc
1.051±0.113a
51.2±3.1d
50.5±4.1b
Table 6 Growth index of C. persicum in different media after two months no fertilization Growing medium
AGFW (g • plant-1) Increase percentage Crown diameter (cm) Increase percentage
PM
116.6
SD PCC
Leaf number
Increase percentage
11.3b
32.2
12.6b
40.3
20.3b
219.1
9.9a
41.1
11.4ab
49.9
18.5b
101.2
10.7ab
25.7
9.4a
30.3
12.6a
PMC
184.1
11.6b
38.4
11.0ab
51.7
19.7b
PSS
197.2
11.4b
34.8
10.1ab
50.2
19.2b
PPH
156.0
12.6b
34.8
11.5ab
48.3
21.4b
PM
SD
PCC
PMC
PSS
PPH
PSS
PPH
Fig. 6 C. persicum in middle period of growth in different media
PM
SD
PCC
Fig. 7 C. persicum in flowering period in different media E-mail: [email protected]
PMC
·35·
Liu Qing-chao et al. Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill.
PM
SD
PCC
PMC
PSS
PPH
Fig. 8 C. persicum root system in different media
In the long period of no fertilization, SPAD indexes
plants (Table 7) .
of the plants in all the substitute media except PCC were higher or not significantly lower than those in
Synthetical evaluation on growth index of
PM. At the time of 60 days of no fertilization, SPAD
C. persicum in different media
indexes of the plants in PM and all the substitute
There are so many evaluation indexes to indicate
media except PCC were of no significant differences.
the state of plant growing, but the single index is
And with the increasing of the days of no fertilization,
unilateral to illustrate the comprehensive character of
SPAD indexes of the plants in all the growing media
the plant. So we used comprehensive index to estimate
were improved at different degrees. That was probably
the plants. It showed that comprehensive indexes of
the result of experimental error, because there was 60
the plants in SD, PMC, PSS, and PPH were 0.882,
days of interval between the first and the last time of
0.832, 0.762 and 0.742, which were higher than those
measurements. But the experimental results at least
in the contrast PM. While comprehensive index of the
indicated that compared with the contrast PM, the
plants in PCC was 0.04, lower than those in PM. This
substitute media could not make further bad effects
suggested that PCC was not a very good cultivating
on the growth of C. persicum plants in the long period
medium for C. persicum. Those four kinds of
of no fertilization. Furthermore, a lot of nutrients
substitutes could be used to take place of the peat moss
had been stored up in the inflated bulbs, which could
totally as soilless growing media. As to PCC, it should
provide enough nutritions for the development of the
be first adjusted appropriately before using (Table 8) .
Table 7 SPAD indexes of C. persicum leaves in different media without fertilization
Growing medium
Without fertilization (Day) 0
15
30
45
60
PM
48.6abc
47.7ab
50.3b
44.6ab
52.6b
SD
50.6bc
49.5b
50.1b
46.6c
53.3b
PCC
45.9a
45.0a
46.1a
44.2ab
47.2a
PMC
49.1bc
49.3b
50.5b
43.3a
49.9ab
PSS
47.6ab
48.1b
48.4ab
43.9ab
51.7ab
PPH
51.7c
48.7b
51.5b
45.5bc
51.7ab
http: //publish.neau.edu.cn
·36·
Journal of Northeast Agricultural University (English Edition)
Vol. 21 No. 2 2014
Table 8 Synthetical evaluation on growth index of C. persicum in different media
Growing medium
Initial flower stage
Two months no fertilization
Synthetically evaluation index
Plant height
Crown diameter
Leaf number
Leaf diameter
AGFW
Flower number
SPAD
AGFW
Crown diameter
Leaf number
PM
0.50
0.37
0.35
0.12
0.27
0.00
0.88
0.13
0.42
0.47
0.351
SD
0.96
1.00
0.84
0.94
1.00
0.30
0.86
1.00
1.00
0.92
0.882
PCC
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.40
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.040
PMC
1.00
0.70
1.00
0.53
0.73
1.00
0.84
0.70
0.82
1.00
0.832
PSS
0.79
0.59
0.96
0.65
0.81
0.97
0.52
0.81
0.59
0.93
0.762
PPH
0.91
0.50
0.78
1.00
0.56
0.78
1.00
0.46
0.59
0.84
0.742
ments came into blossom in succession. By November
Discussion
19, the plants in SD, PMC and PSS reached marke-
The root is the vegetative organ of the plant under-
10 days in advance than that in PM. By December
ground, and it's also an active organ specialized for
9, the plants in all the treatments achieved listing
sucking and compounding nourishment. Together with
standard. Of the blooming situation, the plants in all
the organ of aboveground, they make up a production
the substitute media except in PCC were better than
system. The physical and chemical characteristics
those in the contrast PM.
of the growing media greatly affect the developing
The chlorophyll content is an important indicator
of the root system, and then indirectly affect the
to represent the plant growth, and also can provide
morphogenesis of the aboveground. There is a physical
reliable reference to monitor the nitrogen level of
contact between the root system and the growing
the plants and to quantitatively fertilization. The envi-
medium, the medium of superior quality can afford a
ronmental factors, such as mineral element, illu-
favorable root rhizosphere and steady supplying of the
mination, temperature and even air humidity, have
water and nutrients. From the cultivating experiment,
great influence on the biosynthesis of chlorophyll. This
we knew that in the growth process of C. persicum,
research showed that the Hoagland nutrient solution
most of the production of photosynthesis were trans-
could provide stable and balanced source of nutri-
ported to the above ground, so the biomass of the
tion for C. persicum plant, and the substitute media
leaves of the plant took 80% biomass. Under the
could not make adverse effects to the biosynthesis
same condition, all the substitute media except PCC,
of chlorophyll of the plants compared to the contrast
could provide enough nutritive material and perfect
PM.
environment for C. persicum plant. At the middle
C. persicum plant is sensitive to nutrient deficiency
growth stage, C. persicum plant in PCC had a poor
or nutrient excess, the former researches have indi-
development. At the flowering period, the plant height,
cated that the total fertilization concentration should
crown diameter, leaf number, and leaf diameter of the
be about 2 g • L -1 (Tang et al., 2006; Mao et al.,
plant in PCC were all lower than those in other media,
2010). After two months of no fertilization, the plant
and made a poor stuff. The synthetically evaluation
height, crown diameter, and leaf number of the plants
indexes of the plants in all the substitute media except
in all media have increased at different levels, but
PCC were higher than those in the contrast PM.
it increased smaller in PCC, and that proved PCC
In the middle of October, the plants in all the treat-
was not a good growing medium for C. persicum
E-mail: [email protected]
table size (possess seven flowers), which were about
·37·
Liu Qing-chao et al. Effects of Substitute Media on Development of Potted Cyclamen percicum Mill.
plant. The growth indexes of C. persicum plants
515-519.
in other substitute media were all no significant or
Li Q S, Bu C X, Ye J, et al. 2003. Optimization of reed residue substrate
significantly higher than those in the contrast PM. It
formula for tomato plug seedling production. Acta Agriculturae
had accumulated a lot of nutritions in C. persicum bulb
Shanghai, 4: 73-75.
by the time of the initial flower stage, compared with
Li Q S, Guo S R, Weng M L, et al. 2003. Reed residue substrate formula
the contrast PM, the substitute media will not lead to
for capsicum plug seedling production. Acta Agriculturae Universitis
nutrient deficiency in the growth process.
Jiangxiensis, 3: 347-350. Li Q S, Guo S R, LI S J. 2004. The relationship of the EC of the growth
Conclusions
media and the development of the crops and its determination method. China Vegetable, l: 70-71.
Based on the above data analyses, it is suggested that
Li Q S. 2003, The study on application basics of reed residue substrate
most plant fibrous materials could be used as sub-
and discussion on the quality standard of horticultural substrate.
stitute media to take place of PM totally or partially in
Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing.
cultivation for C. persicum and the growth potentials
Li S J, Gao L H, Zhuang Z L. 1997. Achievement new technology of
were generally better than those in PM. But the sub-
the recent past in soilless culture in China and its trend. Journal of
stitute media had lower performance of preserving
Changjiang Vegetables, 5: 1-6.
moisture and fertility, under normal cultivating con-
Long M H, Tang X F, Yu W J. 2004. The effect of the composted
ditions, the plants developed well, but in order to keep
bagasse as growing substrate for the watermelon and the melon.
the plants in good conditions, the substitute media
Journal of Agricultural Science, 6: 310-313.
depended more on extraneous nutrients from the nutrient solution than PM.
Mao H Y, ZHao X H, Liu D. 2010. Effect of different ratios of nitrogen,phoshorus and potassiuim on the growth of Cyclamen persicum. Journal of Northwest Forestry University, 2: 83-86.
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