Physico-chemical Characteristics of used Plug Media and its Effect on Growth Response of Tomato and Cucumber Seedlings
2012
Byun, H.J., Dongbangagro Co., Ltd., Buyeo, Republic of Korea | Kim, Y.S., Sangmyung University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea | Kang, H.M., Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea | Kim, I.S., Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
The objective of the present study is to identify the physico-chemical characteristics of used plug media (UPM) and its effect on growth response of tomato and cucumber seedlings. The UPM from commercial media MixNo.5 (Sungro co., Ltd.) was used in this study. This media was sterilized by sterilizer at 120℃ in 30 minutes at 1.5 atm. Physicochemical properties of UPM was compared with new plug media (NPM). Physical properties such as air volume, particle density, solid volume, bulk density were investigated by three phase device (DIK-1130, Japan). And chemical characteristics such as NO₃-N, P₂O∧5, K, Mg, Ca, SiO₂, CEC, OM were investigated by soil spectrophotometer (PTIZEN 1412SA, Mecasys Co., Ltd). The result indicates that air volume and water holding capacity of UPM are lower than NPM (25%, 15%, respectively). Bulk density and soil weight are more than two times higher than NPM per unit volume. Compared to NPM, there were no significant different for pH and EC. But CEC of UPM is lower than NPM 40%. In order to compare growth response and ability absorption of inorganic elements by plants, cucumber and tomato seedlings were used and chemical characteristics after growing of mediums were determined. The result indicated that seeding quality of tomato and cucumber in UPM is less than in NPM and almost inorganic ions of UPM are lower than NPM. So it is necessary to improve physicochemical properties of UPM.
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