Physical and Chemical Changes in Container Media in Response to Bark Substitution for Peat

Compost Science & Utilization, (2006), Vol. 14, No. 3, 222-230

Shen Yu1 and Gladis M. Zinati2
1. Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers University, Cook College, New Brunswick, New Jersey
2. Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University, Cook College, New Brunswick, New Brunswick, New Jersey

Physical and chemical properties of container media are important factors in controlling the supply and movement of water and nutrients for nursery plant growth. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the physical and chemical properties and quality of media formulated with systematic substitution of composted pine bark (bark) for sphagnum peat (peat) in the presence of sand. Ten formulations were prepared that contained 40-90% bark, 0-50% peat, and 10 or 20% sand by volume. Increasing the percentage of bark increased the percentage of coarse particles, and linearly decreased the medium-sized particles in media in either 10% or 20% sand. Increasing the percentage of bark in the media significantly decreased water holding capacity, whereas bulk and particle densities and total porosity were influenced by the interaction of bark x peat x sand. Increasing the percentage of bark increased electrical conductivity and total C, P, K, Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn. Availability of nutrients were also increased by increasing percentages of bark. Substitution of bark for peat did not influence the pH of the formulated media. Our results suggest that formulated media with 70 to 80% composted pine bark and 10 to 20% peat (V/V) exhibited physical and chemical properties considered optimum for the growth of container nursery plant crops.

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