Anaerobically digested dairy fiber in soilless potting media for poinsettias
Purpose Sphagnum peat moss has been a primary component of soilless potting media for decades. Concerns over the sustainability of harvesting peat have fostered a search for renewable media components. Anaerobically digested dairy fiber (ADDF), a by-product of methane production, shows promise as an...
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OICC Press
2024-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture |
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| Online Access: | https://oiccpress.com/ijrowa/article/view/3164 |
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| author | John R. Lamont George C. Elliott |
| author_facet | John R. Lamont George C. Elliott |
| author_sort | John R. Lamont |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose Sphagnum peat moss has been a primary component of soilless potting media for decades. Concerns over the sustainability of harvesting peat have fostered a search for renewable media components. Anaerobically digested dairy fiber (ADDF), a by-product of methane production, shows promise as an alternative to peat. Methods Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima âClassic Redâ) were grown in media containing peat-perlite in a 4:1 ratio or peat-ADDF-perlite in a 2:2:1 ratio. Bulk density, container capacity, water-holding capacity, pH and EC of both mixes were evaluated before planting. Shoot height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight and leaf tissue nutrient concentrations of plants were measured at commercial maturity. PourThru samples were taken from pots regularly to evaluate phosphate leaching potential from ADDF. Results There were no differences in physiochemical properties between mixes. Poinsettias grown in the peatADDF-perlite were significantly taller and had greater shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight and leaf tissue N, P, Mn, Na and Zn concentrations than control plants. PourThru samples from pots containing peat-ADDF-perlite had greater phosphate concentrations than peat-perlite for approximately 5 weeks. Conclusions The ADDF used in this trial can be used as a 50 % substitute for peat in potting media for poinsettias and contains significant amounts of plant available nutrients. Additional nutrients supplied by ADDF should be carefully managed as they can contribute to plant growth or leaching pollution. Using ADDF in media could provide growers with a local, renewable substitute for peat and provide supplemental income to dairy farmer. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b5bf28fd9c0848d094d33d022d177859 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2195-3228 2251-7715 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | OICC Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-b5bf28fd9c0848d094d33d022d1778592025-02-02T23:08:01ZengOICC PressInternational Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture2195-32282251-77152024-01-015210.1007/s40093-016-0130-xAnaerobically digested dairy fiber in soilless potting media for poinsettiasJohn R. Lamont0George C. Elliott1Department of Plant Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, CanadaUniversity of ConnecticutPurpose Sphagnum peat moss has been a primary component of soilless potting media for decades. Concerns over the sustainability of harvesting peat have fostered a search for renewable media components. Anaerobically digested dairy fiber (ADDF), a by-product of methane production, shows promise as an alternative to peat. Methods Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima âClassic Redâ) were grown in media containing peat-perlite in a 4:1 ratio or peat-ADDF-perlite in a 2:2:1 ratio. Bulk density, container capacity, water-holding capacity, pH and EC of both mixes were evaluated before planting. Shoot height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight and leaf tissue nutrient concentrations of plants were measured at commercial maturity. PourThru samples were taken from pots regularly to evaluate phosphate leaching potential from ADDF. Results There were no differences in physiochemical properties between mixes. Poinsettias grown in the peatADDF-perlite were significantly taller and had greater shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight and leaf tissue N, P, Mn, Na and Zn concentrations than control plants. PourThru samples from pots containing peat-ADDF-perlite had greater phosphate concentrations than peat-perlite for approximately 5 weeks. Conclusions The ADDF used in this trial can be used as a 50 % substitute for peat in potting media for poinsettias and contains significant amounts of plant available nutrients. Additional nutrients supplied by ADDF should be carefully managed as they can contribute to plant growth or leaching pollution. Using ADDF in media could provide growers with a local, renewable substitute for peat and provide supplemental income to dairy farmer.https://oiccpress.com/ijrowa/article/view/3164PeatEuphorbia pulcherrimaSubstrateFloricultureNutrient leaching |
| spellingShingle | John R. Lamont George C. Elliott Anaerobically digested dairy fiber in soilless potting media for poinsettias International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture Peat Euphorbia pulcherrima Substrate Floriculture Nutrient leaching |
| title | Anaerobically digested dairy fiber in soilless potting media for poinsettias |
| title_full | Anaerobically digested dairy fiber in soilless potting media for poinsettias |
| title_fullStr | Anaerobically digested dairy fiber in soilless potting media for poinsettias |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anaerobically digested dairy fiber in soilless potting media for poinsettias |
| title_short | Anaerobically digested dairy fiber in soilless potting media for poinsettias |
| title_sort | anaerobically digested dairy fiber in soilless potting media for poinsettias |
| topic | Peat Euphorbia pulcherrima Substrate Floriculture Nutrient leaching |
| url | https://oiccpress.com/ijrowa/article/view/3164 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT johnrlamont anaerobicallydigesteddairyfiberinsoillesspottingmediaforpoinsettias AT georgecelliott anaerobicallydigesteddairyfiberinsoillesspottingmediaforpoinsettias |