Vermicompost Effects on the Growth and Flowering of Petunia hybrida Dream Neon Rose

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1 Amerin-Eursin J. Agri. & Environ. Si., 3 (3): , 28 ISSN IDOSI Publitions, 28 Vermiompost Effets on the Growth nd Flowering of Petuni hybrid Drem Neon Rose 1 E. Chmni, 2 D.C. Joye nd 3 A. Reihnytbr 1 Deprtment of Hortiulture, Fulty of Agriulture, University of Mohghegh Ardbili, Ardbil, Irn 2 Centre for Ntive Floriulture, Shool of Lnd, Crop nd Food Sienes, The University of Queenslnd, Gtton, Qld. 4343, Austrli 3 Deprtment of Soil Siene, Fulty of Agriulture, University of Tbriz, Tbriz, Irn Abstrt: The effets of vermiompost of n niml mnure origin on the growth nd flowering of Petuni hybrid Drem Neon Rose grown under glsshouse onditions were determined. Petuni seeds were germinted, trnsplnted into medi nd grown-on for 15 dys. The trditionl bse medium (ontrol) ws mixture of 7% frm soil nd 3% snd (v/v). Tretments were either vermiompost inorported t 2, 4 nd 6% or sphgnum pet inorported t 3 nd 6% into the bse medium. Vermiompost hd signifint (P<.5) positive effets on flower numbers, lef growth nd shoot fresh nd dry weights ompred to both ontrol nd pet mended medi. Plnt performne ws best in the 2% vermiompost medium. Further inresing the vermiompost ontent in the bse medi deresed flower numbers, lef growth rtes nd shoot fresh nd dry weights. Plnt performne ws poorest in the 6% sphgnum pet medium. Plnt tissue nlysis reveled tht totl extrtble N, P nd K were highest in petuni plnts grown in the 6% vermiompost medium nd were lowest in plnts grown in the 6% pet medium. Use of vermiompost tended to inrese tissue C nd Mg onentrtions ompred to the ontrol. However, these trends were generlly not signifint t P<.5. Fe ws lso highest in plnts grown in the 6% vermiompost medium nd ws lowest in plnts grown in the ontrol medium. Zn onentrtions were highest in plnts grown in 6% pet medium nd lowest in plnts grown in the ontrol medium. Cu nd Mn onentrtions in petuni plnts grown in vermiompost medi were signifintly (P<.5) lower thn for those grown in the ontrol medium. Thus, the benefiil effets of vermiompost were ssoited with elevted tissue onentrtions of the mronutrients. Key words: Vermiompost niml mnure Petuni hybrid sphgnum pet INTRODUCTION Petuni (Petuni hybrid) belongs to the Solnee fmily [1]. Petunis re perennils in wrm limtes nd re used minly s nnul bedding nd ontiner plnts in temperte zones [2]. Sphgnum pet moss is derived from ded orgni mteril tht umultes in the lower levels of sphgnum bog nd is used s soil onditioner nd/or replement by grdeners [3]. There is inresing interest in the potentil use of vermiomposts s plnt growth medi nd soil mendments. These re produts of nonthermophili bio-degrdtion of orgni mterils through intertions between erthworms nd miroorgnisms. In vermiompost, ompred to onventionl ompost, elerted bio-oxidtion of orgni mtter is hieved mostly by high density erthworm popultions [4, 5]. Vermiomposts re typilly finely divided pet-like mterils with high porosity, ertion, dringe nd wterholding pity [6]. Atiyeh et l. [7] reported tht mendment of Metro-Mix 36, stndrd ommeril greenhouse ontiner medium, with vrious volumes of pig mnure vermiompost (e.g. 4%) signifintly improved growth nd produtivity of mrigold plnts. Atiyeh et l. [8] showed tht 1-2% vermiompost in Metro-Mix 36 medium signifintly inresed the weight of tomto seedlings nd fruit yields ompred to the Metro-Mix 36 ontrol. However, totl numbers of flower buds, shoot nd root weights nd plnt heights were deresed t vermiompost onentrtions >4%. Hidlgo et l. [9] reported tht inorportion of erthworm stings inresed plnt Corresponding Author: Dr. E. Chmni, Deprtment of Hortiulture, Fulty of Agriulture, University of Mohghegh Ardbili, Ardbil, Irn 56

2 Am-Eurs. J. Agri. & Environ. Si., 3 (3): , 28 (inluding root) growth, stem dimeters nd flower numbers of mrigold grown in PP (7 pet moss: 3 perlite), ommeril Sunshine Mix 1 nd PBS (4 pine brk : 1 snd). Applition of vermiompost obtined from wter hyinth (Eihhorni rssipes) signifintly enhned growth nd flowering of Crossndr udulefoli ompred to untreted ontrol plnts [1]. Similrly, vermiompost pplitions inresed strwberry plnt growth nd yield signifintly; inluding inreses of up to 37% in lef re, 37% in shoot biomss, 4% in flower numbers, 36% in plnt runner numbers nd 35% in mrketble fruit weights [11]. Nutrients in vermiompost re present in redily vilble forms for plnt uptke; e.g. nitrtes, exhngeble P, K, C nd Mg [6]. Senthilkumr et l. [12] found tht vermiompost ± NPK fertilizers signifintly enhned rose growth, yield nd qulity over the untreted ontrol, espeilly when used in ombintion. Applition of 75% RFR (reommended fertilizer rtes) + 2 g vermiompost nd 1% RFR + 2 g vermiompost per plnt resulted in greter plnt heights, lef res, shoot nd root dry weights nd numbers of lterls per plnt. Plnt vilble N, P nd K were higher in plots supplied with both vermiompost nd NPK fertilizers [12]. Premuzi et l. [13] reported tht for tomtoes grown on orgni substrtes, suh s vermiompost, the fruit ontined signifintly more C nd vitmin C (but less Fe) thn those grown in hydroponis medium. No differenes were found in P nd K onentrtions. Sinz et l. [14] reported tht ddition of vermiompost to soil resulted in inresed minerl ontents in the substrte nd higher onentrtions P, C, Mg, Cu, Mn nd Zn in shoot tissues of red lover nd uumber. Kumri nd Ushkumri [15] reported tht tretment with enrihed vermiompost ws superior to other tretments for the uptke of N, P, K, C nd Mg by owpe. Vermiomposts re omprised of lrge mounts of humi substnes, some of the effets of whih on plnt growth re similr to those of soil-pplied plnt growth regultors [16]. For peppers, n improvement of the physil struture of the potting medium, inreses in popultions of benefiil miroorgnisms nd enhned vilbility of plnt growth influening substnes produed by miroorgnisms in vermiomposts were ftors onsidered to hve ontributed to inresed fruit yields [17]. While vermiompost effets on growth nd produtivity of plnts hve been investigted, there hve been reltively few investigtions on ornmentl flowering plnts [7, 12] nd none on petuni, widely grown nd eonomilly importnt potted olour rop. The im of this study ws to determine the effets of different rtes of vermiompost of n niml mnure origin on the growth nd flowering of Petuni hybrid Drem Neon Rose ompred to trditionl medi nd sphgnum pet mendments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Petuni plnts were grown in the greenhouse of Hortiulture Deprtment t the Mohghegh Ardebil University, Irn. Seeds were germinted in smll trys with the sme medium for eh tretment, trnsplnted into finl pots (tretment medi) nd grown-on for 15 dys. There ws one plnt per pot during the growing on phse. The trditionl bse medium (ontrol) ws mixture of 7% frm soil nd 3% snd. The frm soil ws ly lssifition. Other tretment medi were either vermiompost inorported t 2, 4 nd 6% or more onventionl sphgnum pet inorported t 3 nd 6%. Time to flowering ws reorded s time from seeding to first open flowers. Totl lef numbers per pot were determined eh 1 dys from seed germintion up to 7 dys, when lef number ounting ws stopped beuse of high lef density. Flower numbers per pot were ounted eh 1 dys from 8 dys fter seeding. Finlly, petuni plnts were removed from their pots nd shoot (lef + flower + stems) fresh weights were reorded. The shoot mteril ws then dried in n oven (6 C) for 2 dys. Dry weights were reorded nd the tissue used for nutrient nlyses. Chemil properties of soil, ttle mnure vermiompost nd pet were determined prior to seeding (Tble 1). Soil nd vermiompost ph were mesured in deionised wter (solids/solution rtio of Tble 1: Chemil properties of the bse medi (frm soil plus snd) nd vermiompost nd sphgnum pet used to mend the bse medi. Dt re mens for three replitions % mg/kg (1:2.5) mmho/m meq/l Medi OC N P K Fe Mn Zn Cu ph EC C Mg Soil Vermiompost Pet

3 Am-Eurs. J. Agri. & Environ. Si., 3 (3): , 28 1: 2.5) using ph meter. Eletril ondutivity (EC) ws mesured in the effluent nd in sturted solution extrt of the vermiompost [18]. Orgni rbon ws determined by the Wlkley-Blk method [19]. Methods of mesuring N, P, K, C nd Mg in soil nd plnts re desribed below. Diethentriminpenteti id (DTPA) extrtble Zn, Fe, Cu nd Mn were determined in soil smples by tomi bsorption spetrosopy (Perkin Elmer, type 341, series 3) [2]. Nutrient onentrtions in plnt smples were determined on shoot mteril rinsed with distilled wter before being dried in n oven (see bove) nd then ground by Wiley mill, mixed well nd stored in ir tight ontiners. Totl N ws determined in dried tissue smples of 1 g d.w. by the Kjeldhl method using onentrted H 2 SO 4, K 2 SO 4 nd selenium to digest the smple nd in soil ws determined ording to Bremner nd Mulvney [21]. For other nutrients, eh ground smple (2 g) ws shed in muffle furne t 55 C. The white sh ws dissolved in 2 N HCl nd mde up to 1 ml with distilled wter. P ws determined by the olourimetri method of Olsen et l. [22]. A flme photometer type JENWAY PFP 7 ws used for determintion of K. C nd Mg were mesured ording to Houb et l. [23]. Zn, Fe, Cu nd Mn were determined by tomi bsorption spetrosopy [24]. The experiment ws ompletely rndomized design with 9 replites of eh tretment. Dt were nlyzed by one wy ANOVA (Minitb Version 13.1). Lest signifint differene (LSD; P =.5) vlues were lulted for omprisons of tretment mens. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Shoot fresh nd dry weights: Medi with 2 nd 4% vermiompost inorported signifintly (P<.5) inresed fresh nd dry weights of petuni shoots ompred to both the ontrol nd pet mended medi (Fig. 1). No signifint differenes were found mong medi mended with 6% vermiompost, 3% pet nd the ontrol. Fresh nd dry weights of plnts grown in the 6% pet medium were the lowest (P<.5) ompred to ll other tretments. Lef numbers: Totl lef numbers per pot for medi with 2 nd 4% vermiompost inorported, were signifintly (P<.5) higher thn for ll other tretments during the experiment (Fig. 2). Vermiompost t 6% gve more leves thn did ontrol nd pet mended medi. The lowest lef numbers were from 6% pet mended medi nd b C V 1 V2 V 3 P1 P2 Tretments b (A) C V1 V2 V3 P1 P2 Tretments Fig. 1: Fresh (A) nd dry (B) weights of petuni shoot tissues produed in medi substituted with vrious volumes of either vermiompost (V1 = vermiompost 2%; V2 = vermiompost 4% nd V3= vermiompost 6%) or sphgnum pet (P1 = pet 3% nd P2 = pet 6%) versus the bse ontrol medium (C). Dt re mens of 9 replitions the ontrol. Signifint differenes for the 3% pet medi ompred to ontrol were pprent on dys 5, 6 nd 7. Flower numbers: Medi with 2 nd 4% vermiompost inorported produed signifintly (P<.5) higher flower numbers ompred to the ontrol (Fig. 2). No signifint differene ws found between 2 nd 4% vermiompost, exept on dy 1 (i.e. t 8 dys fter seeding). Medi with 6% vermiompost gve signifintly (P<.5) inresed (B) d d 58

4 Am-Eurs. J. Agri. & Environ. Si., 3 (3): , 28 Tble 2: Nutrient onentrtions in shoot tissues of petuni plnts grown in medi with either 2, 4 nd 6% vermiompost (V1 = vermiompost 2%; V2 = vermiompost 4% nd V3 = vermiompost 6%) or 3 nd 6% pet (P1 = pet 3% nd P2 = pet 6%) inorported versus the bse medi ontrol (C) t 15 dys fter seeding. Dt re mens for three replitions % meq/l mg/kg Tretments TN P K C Mg Fe Mn Zn Cu V b b 3.22b 13.86d 9.9 V2 3.46b.313b 5.26b b b 26.4b 15.32d 1.54 V b 17.58b 1.51 C 2.53d.29 d 3.9d d d 15.9 P d.114 e 3.77 d b 115.d 3.41b 2.37b 14.25b P e.122 e 3.57 d b d 24.4b b (A) V1 V2 V3 C P1 P b b Time (dys) (B) V1 V2 V3 C P1 P2 C V1 V2 V3 P1 P2 Tretments Fig. 3: Time to flowering of petuni plnts produed in medi substituted with vrious volumes of either vermiompost (V1 = vermiompost 2%; V2 = vermiompost 4% nd V3 = vermiompost 6%) or sphgnum pet (P1 = pet 3% nd P2 = pet 6%) versus the bse ontrol medium (C). Dt re mens of 9 replitions flower prodution ompred to ontrol, exept on dy 3. Medi mended with 6% pet signifintly (P<.5) deresed flower numbers fter dys 2 ompred to the ontrol Time (dys fter flowering) Fig. 2: Lef (A) nd flower (B) numbers for petuni shoots produed in medi substituted with vrious volumes of either vermiompost (V1 = vermiompost 2%; V2 = vermiompost 4% nd V3= vermiompost 6%) or sphgnum pet (P1 = pet 3% nd P2 = pet 6%) versus the bse ontrol medium (C). Dt re mens of 9 replitions. Dy 1 for flower numbers represents 8 dys fter seeding 59 Times to flowering: Plnts potted in medi with 2, 4 nd 6% vermiompost inorported produed flowers signifintly (P<.5) sooner thn other tretments (Fig. 3). Signifint differenes were found between the 6% nd the 2 nd 4% vermiompost tretments. No signifint differenes (P<.5) were found mong the 3 nd 6% pet mended medi nd the ontrol. Nutrients in shoot tissues: N onentrtions in petuni shoot tissues inresed signifintly (P<.5) with inresing of vermiompost volumes in the bse medi ompred to the ontrol (Tble 2). No signifint

5 Am-Eurs. J. Agri. & Environ. Si., 3 (3): , 28 differene ws found between the 3% pet mended medi nd the ontrol. The N onentrtion in shoot tissues ws deresed signifintly (P<.5) in 6% pet medi ompred to the ontrol. P onentrtions in plnt tissues inresed signifintly (P<.5) with inresing of vermiompost volumes in the medi ompred to the ontrol. Plnts grown in the 3 nd 6% pet mended medi hd signifintly (P<.5) lower P onentrtions in shoot tissue ompred to the ontrol. Plnts grown in the medi with 4 nd 6% vermiompost inorported hd signifintly (P<.5) higher K onentrtions ompred to the ontrol. No signifint differene in K ws found between plnts grown in the medi with 2% vermiompost nd the ontrol. N, P nd K ontents of bse medi would be inresed by ddition of vermiompost (Tble 1). Similrly, ddition of vermiompost to the bse medi tended to inrese onentrtions of totl C nd Mg ompred to the ontrol (Tble 2). However, this response ws not signifint t P<.5, exept for Mg t 6% vermiompost. The Fe ontent of plnt tissues inresed signifintly (P<.5) with inresing vermiompost volume in the bse medi ompred to the ontrol. No signifint differene ws found, however, between plnts grown in the pet mended medi nd the ontrol. Addition of either vermiompost or pet to bse medi signifintly (P<.5) deresed Mn onentrtions in petuni shoot tissues ompred to the ontrol. The Zn onentrtions in plnt tissues tended to inrese with inresing of vermiompost nd pet inorportion in the bse medi ompred to the ontrol, but the effet ws signifint (P<.5) only for plnts grown in 6% vermiompost nd 3 nd 6% pet mended medi. Addition of vermiompost to medi signifintly (P<.5) deresed the Cu onentrtions in petuni shoot tissues ompred to the ontrol. No signifint differene in Cu onentrtion ws found between plnts grown in the 3% pet mended medi nd the ontrol. DISSCUSSION Inorportion of vermiompost hd signifint (P<.5) positive effets on flower numbers, lef growth nd fresh nd dry weights ompred to both the bse ontrol nd pet mended potting medi. Similrly, Atiyeh et l. [7] found tht fresh weights of mrigold plnt shoots t 121 dys fter seeding were gretest in potting mixtures ontining 3% nd 4% pig mnure vermiompost. However, they were lest in potting mixtures of 9% nd 1% vermiompost. Bugbee nd Frink [25] reported tht when greenhouse ontiner medium ws mended with 1, 2, 3, 4 nd 5% sewge sludge ompost, the shoot dry weights of mrigold plnts improved signifintly. Mximum mrigold growth ourred in the 3% ompost ontining mixture. Growth of tomto seedlings ws gretest fter substitution of ommeril Metro-Mix 36 with between 25% nd 5% pig mnure vermiompost [26]. Substituting Metro-Mix 36 with 5, 1, 25 nd 5% pig mnure vermiompost progressively inresed lef numbers, shoot lengths nd shoot dry weights t 14 nd 21 dys fter germintion of tomto seedlings with no fertilizer tretment ompred with the Metro-Mix ontrol. Subler et l. [5] reported tht the inorportion of smll mount (1%) of pig mnure vermiompost into ommeril bedding plnt potting medi ws suffiient to produe signifint inrese in the totl biomss of tomto seedlings fter 3 weeks of growth in the greenhouse. Inresing of flower numbers by vermiompost mendments is lso in greement with report by Gjlkshmi nd Abbsi [1], where use of vermiompost led to signifint improvements in both growth nd flowering of rossndr ompred to untreted ontrol plnts. Substituting Metro-Mix 36 with pig mnure vermiompost not only improved the growth of mrigold seedlings, but it lso signifintly (P<.5) inresed the numbers of flower buds produed [7]. The gretest numbers of flower buds were in the potting mixture ontining 4% pig mnure vermiompost nd 6% Metro Mix 36; viz. 19% more thn in the Metro-Mix 36 only ontrol. Substitution of vermiomposts into greenhouse ontiner medi hs been ssoited with inresed germintion, seedling growth nd flowering of ornmentls nd growth nd yield of vegetbles even t low substitution rtes nd independent of nutrient supply [7, 26]. N, P, K, Fe nd Zn (only t 6% vermiompost) onentrtions in petuni plnt shoot tissues inresed signifintly (P<.5) with inresing vermiompost volumes in the bse medi ompred to the ontrol (Tble 2). Atiyeh et l. [7] reported signifint inreses in N onentrtions in the leves of 121 dys mrigold plnts grown in the vermiompost / Metro- Mix 36 mixtures, whih evidently resulted in greter root nd shoot growth. However, there were no signifint differenes (P>.5) t 28 dys fter seeding in either nitrte-n onentrtions or totl N onentrtions in mrigold between the Metro-Mix 36 ontrol nd this medi substituted with 4% pig mnure vermiompost. This lk of differene ould possibly be explined by the signifint inreses in shoot weights of mrigold seedlings fter substitution of Metro-Mix 36 with 4% vermiompost. The tissue N onentrtions of tomto seedlings grown without 51

6 fertilizer in medi with 1, 25, 5 nd 1% pig mnure vermiompost mendments nd hrvested 14 dys fter germintion were signifintly greter thn those of plnts grown with 5% nd no vermiompost inorported [26]. Deresed plnt growth when the volume of pig mnure vermiompost pprohed 1% ould possibly be ttributed to high onentrtions of soluble slts in the pig mnure vermiompost, poor porosity nd / or poor ertion. For roses, vilble N, P nd K were higher in plots supplied with both vermiompost nd NPK fertilizers [12]. Sinz et l. [14] reported tht ddition of vermiompost to soil inresed nutrient ontents in the substrte nd gve higher onentrtions of P, C, Mg, Cu, Mn nd Zn in shoot tissues of red lover nd uumber. Kumri nd Ushkumri [15] reported tht enrihed vermiompost ws superior tretment for enhning uptke of N, P, K, C nd Mg by owpe. Considered olletively, the results of this study indite tht inorportion of vermiompost of niml origin into trditionl bse medium of frm soil nd snd enhned growth nd flowering of potted petuni plnts through, t lest in prt, improved minerl nutrition. In this ontext, verimiompost proved to be superior soil mendment to sphgnum pet moss. REFERENCES 1. Pxton, J., Petuni nytginiflor viole. Pxton s Mg. Bot, 2: Bily, L.H. nd E.Z. Bily, Petuni. In: Hortus Third: A Conise Ditionry of Plnts Cultivted in the United Sttes nd Cnd. Mmilln Publishing, New York, pp: Creeh, J.L., R.F. Dowdle nd W.O. Hwley, Sphgnum pet moss for plnt propgtion. USDA Frmers Bulletin Domi nguez, J., C.A. Edwrds nd S. Subler, A omprison of vermiomposting nd omposting methods to proess niml wstes. Bioyle, 38: Subler, S., C.A. Edwrds nd J.D. Metzger, Compring omposts nd vermiomposts. Bioyle, 39: Edwrds, C.A. nd I. Burrows, The potentil of erthworm omposts s plnt growth medi. In: Edwrds, C.A. nd E. Neuhuser (Eds.). Erthworms in Wste nd Environmentl Mngement. SPB Ademi Press. The Hgue, The Netherlnds, pp: Atiyeh, R.M., N.Q. Arnon, C.A. Edwrds nd J.D. Metzger, 22. The influene of erthwormproessed pig mnure on the growth nd produtivity of mrigolds. Bioresour. Tehnol., 81: Am-Eurs. J. Agri. & Environ. Si., 3 (3): , Atiyeh, R.M., S. Subler, C.A. Edwrds, G. Bhmn, G.D. Metzger nd W. Shuster, 2. Effets of vermiomposts nd omposts on plnt growth in hortiulturl ontiner medi nd soil. Pedo Biologi, 44: Hidlgo, P.R., F.B. Mtt nd R.L. Hrkess, 26. Physil nd hemil properties of substrtes ontining erthworm stings nd effets on mrigold growth. HortSi., 41: Gjlkshmi, S. nd S.A. Abbsi, 22. Effet of the pplition of wter hyinth ompost/vermiompost on the growth nd flowering of Crossndr undulefoli nd on severl vegetbles. Bioresour. Tehnol., 85: Arnon, N.Q., C.A. Edwrd, P. Biermn nd G.D. Metzeger, 24. Influenes of vermiomposts on field strwberries: Effets on growth nd yields. Bioresour. Tehnol., 93: Senthilkumr, S., M.V. Srirmhndrsekhrn nd K. Hripriy, 24. Effet of vermiompost nd fertilizer on the growth nd yield of rose. J. Interdemii, 8: Premuzi, Z., M. Brgiel, A. Gri, A. Rendin nd A. Iorio, Clium, iron, potssium, phosphorus nd vitmin C ontent of orgni nd hydroponi tomtoes. HortSi., 33: Sinz, M.J., M.T. Tbod-Cstro nd A. Vilriño, Growth, minerl nutrition nd myorrhizl oloniztion of red lover nd uumber plnts grown in soil mended with omposted urbn wstes. Plnt nd Soil, 25: Kumri, M.S. nd K. Ushkumri, 22. Effet of vermiompost enrihed with rok phosphte on the yield nd uptke of nutrients in owpe (Vign unguinult L. WALP). J. Trop. Agri., 4: Musolo, A., F. Bovlo, F. Gionfriddo nd F. Nrdi, Erthworm humi mtter produes uxin-like effets on Duus rot ell growth nd nitrte metbolism. Soil Biol. Biohem., 31: Arnon, N.Q., C.A. Edwrd nd P. Biermn, 26. Influene of vermiomposts on field strwberries: Effet on soil mirobiologil nd hemil properties. Bioresour. Tehnol., 97: Rhodes, J.D., N.A. Mntghi, P.J. Shuse nd W. Alves, Estimting soil slinity from sturte soil-pste eletril ondutivity. Soil Si. So. Am. J., 53: Gudette, H.E., W.R. Flight, L. Toner nd D.W. Folger, An inexpensive titrtion method for the determintion of orgni rbon in reent sediments. J. Sediment Petrol., 44:

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