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

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  • Ping Yu

    (Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Qiansheng Li

    (Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Lan Huang

    (Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu 610000, China)

  • Kuan Qin

    (Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Texas A&M University, Uvalde, TX 78801, USA)

  • Genhua Niu

    (Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX 75252, USA)

  • Mengmeng Gu

    (Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

Abstract

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

Suggested Citation

  • Ping Yu & Qiansheng Li & Lan Huang & Kuan Qin & Genhua Niu & Mengmeng Gu, 2020. "The Effects of Mixed Hardwood Biochar, Mycorrhizae, and Fertigation on Container Tomato and Pepper Plant Growth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:17:p:7072-:d:406211
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    2. Johannes Lehmann, 2007. "A handful of carbon," Nature, Nature, vol. 447(7141), pages 143-144, May.
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