Evaluation of Propagation Media 2008 Paul Fisher and Ernesto Fonseca, University of Florida, pfisher@ufl.edu, 352 226 4410. Draft Internal Report. Not for publication or reproduction without permission of the authors. May 8 2009 1
Executive Summary The Young Plant Research Center periodically evaluates different propagation media available in the market, and in this study chemical and physical qualities and greenhouse performance of several types of loose and stabilized propagation media were tested. This information is provided as a draft internal report for R&D and quality control by media companies, improving media products, and not for promotion or publication. It is not to be used to promote or criticize any product. Positive results are not an endorsement by the University of Florida or the authors, and negative results similarly are not a criticism of the product. Unrooted cuttings of three plant species (Sambucus nigra and Buddleia davidii provided by Spring Meadow Nursery, MI and Osteospermum ecklonis provided by InnovaPlant, Costa Rica) were propagated in each substrate over 40 days at the University of Florida research greenhouses. ph and electrical conductivity (EC) of each substrate, a complete nutrient analysis by Quality Analytical Laboratories, and rooting performance of cuttings, were measured in two evaluations on days 0 and 18 after sticking. Acceptable rooting occurred in all stabilized and loose-filled media. Do not interpret these results as identifying the best or worst growing medium performance depends on the irrigation practices and other specifics of the climate and management at the test site. Media companies are being sent more detailed results on rooting in their individual media. For this report, we have included photos of the rooting for comparison. For more detailed information, growers in the Young Plant Research Center are welcome to contact me. If we varied irrigation methods, our results would change. For example, we saw an excellent root rating in Ellegaard pure coconut coir which had the highest water holding capacity if we grew plants wetter then a medium with low water holding capacity and more air porosity would be favored. Results also depend upon the batch and size of plugs tested (Jiffy and Blackmore Ellepots were smaller than other stabilized media, and the components used in these media can be varied). The measurement methods used also affect results. We chose to do photos and root ratings rather than root dry weights because of the number of plugs tested and because separating roots is difficult in stabilized media, but subjectivity results. As a follow up to this report, we are considering developing a practical manual for growers on how to test liner substrates, and will also do research on degradation of stabilized media in the environment, rewetting, and ph drift. For the follow on research in 2009, we will be requesting new samples from media companies. 2
1 Introduction The Young Plant Research Center periodically evaluates different media available for cutting propagation. Both loose and stabilized media were included in this study. We evaluated the rooting of three plant species over a 40 day period, as well as chemical and physical qualities of the media. Media performance is very dependent on the specific growing conditions. Therefore, our goal was not to identify the best growing medium, but rather to run simple trials in order to gain experience with the different media for future trials and discussions with media companies and growers. 2 Material and Methods 2.1 General Data Species and cultivar Buddleia davidii Peakeep Peacock, Sambucus nigra Eva Black Lace Osteospermum Lemon Symphony Tray Count Planting Root Evaluation Loose Stabilized Date First Second 38 50 April 3 April 21 May 6 (18 days) ( 32 days) 38 50 April 3 April 22 May 7 (19 days) (33days) 50 50 April 9 May 2 May 13 (28 days) (39 days) Days under Mist 12 days 12 days 14 days Sambucus nigra Eva Black Lace and Buddleia davidii Peakeep Peacock cuttings were received from Spring Meadow Nursery, Michigan, and Osteospermum ecklonis Lemon Symphony cuttings were received from InnovaPlant, Costa Rica, in April 2008. For loose-filled media, Sambucus and Buddleia were grown in 38-count, 5-in deep Star Nursery trays (Gamma 10 Plastic Inc), and the osteospermum in 50-count Blackmore trays. We also planted some trays of Sambucus and Buddleia in 50-count Blackmore trays and 32-count trays from Spring Meadow with the Spring Meadow growing medium only. Spring Meadow media in the three tray sizes are therefore labeled Spring Meadow 32, Spring Meadow 38, and Spring Meadow 50 Cuttings were grown under mist with clear water in a computer-controlled polycarbonate greenhouse at the University of Florida for 12 to 14 days depending on cultivar and substrate, and were then hand-irrigated with 150 ppm N from 17-4-17 neutral-reaction fertilizer (from Greencare Fertilizer) with micronutrients at 1 ppm iron. Irrigation water alkalinity was 47 ppm. 3
Mist Frequency Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Mist Frequency Irrigation Thursday, April 03 Friday, April 04 Saturday, April 05 Sunday, April 06 Monday, April 07 Tuesday, April 08 Wednesday, April 09 Thursday, April 10 Friday, April 11 Saturday, April 12 Day 5-20min/ 6 Sec 15-35min/ 6 seg Off Mist Night 35 min / 6 sec 90min/6sec Off Mist Water Fertilizer 17-4-17 150 ppm Sunday, April 13 Monday, April 14 Tuesday, April 15 Wednesday, April 16 Thursday, April 17 Friday, April 18 Temperature and light levels during the trial Month Average Temperature (F) Daily Light Integral (moles/m 2 /day) April 71.5 13.7 May 76.8 14.9 A challenge in any media comparison trial is that optimum irrigation scheduling varies between media and plants, and we did as best as possible to provide acceptable conditions by providing benches with high and low mist settings and removing trays off mist as soon as they were adequately rooted. An additional limitation of this study was that although 50-count trays were requested from manufacturers, in some cases the nearest size available was 72-count or similar. 4
2.2 Substrates Included in the Study. Stabilized Media Ellepot AP Ellepot EP Ellepot FC Ellepot FP Ellepot Knox Ellepot Coco Press Grow Tech HF Grow Tech IP Grow Tech MF IHT Excel IHT Q Plug Jiffy Oasis Preforma Loose Media Ellegaard Coir Fafard 1P Fafard Rice Pindstrup Coarse Pindstrup Fine Pindstrup Medium Pro Mix with Biofungicide Pro Mix Mycorise Pro Mix No Biofungicide Spring Meadow Sun Gro LC1 Components Paper-wrapped pot. Paper consists of cellulose with an admixture of polyester for reinforcement, and treated with fungicide. Greenway peat/perlite/vermiculite medium. 35 mm diameter. Paper-wrapped pot. Paper consists of cellulose fibres with an admixture of polyester for reinforcement. Greenway peat/perlite/vermiculite medium. 35 mm diameter. Paper-wrapped pot. Paper consists of cellulose with a synthetic binder. Greenway peat/perlite/vermiculite medium. 35 mm diameter. Paper-wrapped pot. Paper consists of almost pure cellulose fibres with an admixture of polyester for reinforcement. Greenway peat/perlite/vermiculite medium. 35 mm diameter. Ellepot AP paper. Verlite peat, perlite and vermiculite medium. 40 mm diameter. Compressed coconut coir that quickly expands with water. 42 mm diameter. Polymer / Peat hand-filled tray, 50-count Polymer / Peat, 50-count Polymer / Peat machine-filled tray, 50-count Polymer / Peat, 72-count Polymer / Peat, 72-count Paper-wrapped pots with peat/perlite, peat/rice hulls, or coir, 72-count Oasis foam, 10-count strips Polymer / Peat, 50-count Components Coconut coir 80% Sphagnum peat moss, 20% horticultural perlite, wetting agent, starter nutrients Same as 1P, but perlite substituted with rice hulls. Peat, preplant, nutrient charge, wetting agent, limestone 0-30 mm fibers Peat, preplant, nutrient charge, wetting agent, limestone 0-10 mm fibers Peat, preplant, nutrient charge, wetting agent, limestone 5-20 mm fibers Peat / perlite. Enriched with SUBTILEX (active ingredient: Bacillus subtilis MBI600 Sphagnum peat moss, endomycorrhize (Mycorise), started nutrients, lime stone, wetting agents Sphagnum peat moss, started nutrients, lime stone, wetting agents Soil mix: Coarse, Pine bark, Peat moss, wetting agent 70% Sphagnum peat moss, 30% perlite, dolomitic limestone, gypsum, wetting agent. 2.3 Media-pH & EC Data Complete nutrient analysis was conducted by Quality Analytical Laboratories (Panama City, FL) on unused growing medium that had first been moistened to near container capacity for 7 days. ph and EC were measured at the University of Florida on day 0 and day 18 (Sambucus and Buddleia only) using the plug squeeze method. ph levels were averaged across the two species. 5
2.4 Root Evaluation Roots were evaluated on 15 randomly-selected cuttings on two dates, and each cutting was classified according to an eight-point scale. At the first root evaluation, all plants were in stages 0 to 4 in the 8-point scale. In the second root evaluation, roots were more established, and ranged from 2 to 8 on the same scale. Osteospermum had an additional root evaluation classified to a seven-point scale. Photos below show the evaluation scale. 2.5 Procedure for Analytical Testing of Media plugs Definitions: A plug is the soil sample from the different companies that is wrapped in paper or held together by a polymer. A cell is the plastic container into which you put the plugs. 1. To begin measure the plug height from the bottom plane to the top plane using a ruler with cm markings. 2. Measure the cell volume (for loose-filled media) by placing tape over the bottom drain hole. Measure the cell. Then fill the cell completely with distilled water (dh 2 O). Measure the mass of the cell filled with water. Subtract these measurements and the difference is the volume of the cell. (1 g dh 2 O = 1 ml d H 2 O) 3. To take the media (plug) volume (for stabilized media) first coat the plug with parafilm wax. Fill a beaker to the rim with distilled water (dh 2 O). Zero the scale with the catch container on it. Place filled beaker in catch container and submerge the wax covered plug causing the water to overflow. Mass catch container with overflow. Because scale was zeroed with catch container this is the mass of the water only. This gives volume of plug in ml (1 g dh 2 O = 1 ml d H 2 O). 4. To measure the air volume, first cover the drain hole of the cell with tape to prevent water from leaking. Next with the plug inside the cell add distilled water (dh 2 O) until the water level reaches the top of the plug with no excess water on top of the plug. Mass the cell and plug. After this remove the tape from the bottom of the cell to allow excess water to drain. After cell is done draining mass cell and plug. The difference in mass (g) is the volume of air in the cell and plug that was occupied by water (1 g dh 2 O = 1 ml d H 2 O). 5. The air porosity is a calculated value. It is the percentage of the cell volume that is occupied by air when the plug is in it and is at maximum water holding capacity. To calculate air porosity, use the following formula: Air porosity = air volume Cell volume 6. To calculate the water holding capacity take the fresh weight of the plugs (g). Place plugs in a drying oven for 24 hours at 110 o C. Then take the dry weights of the plugs. The difference in mass is equal to the amount of water that was present in the plugs(1 g dh 2 O = 1 ml d H 2 O). 6
7. The water porosity is a calculated value. It is the percentage of the cell volume that is occupied by water when the plug is in it and is at maximum water holding capacity. To calculate water porosity, use the following formula: Water porosity = water volume Cell volume 8. The total porosity is the addition of the water and air volume. 9. The total porosity (%) is the total porosity divided by the cell volume. 10. The media is a calculation of the media volume based on the air and water volume in the cell. To get this value subtract the total porosity from the cell volume. 11. The media % is a calculated value. It is the percentage of the cell volume that is occupied by media when the plug is in it and is at maximum water holding capacity. To calculate media %, use the following formula: Media % = cell volume media 7
2.6 Root Evaluation Scale 2.6.1 Stabilized Media Root Rating Sambucus, Buddleia and Osteospermum First Evaluation Second Evaluation 2.6.2 Loose Media Root Rating Sambucus, Buddleia First Evaluation Second Evaluation Osteospermum First Evaluation Second evaluation 8
3 Results 3.1 Physical quality data Based on average of three samples for each media. Stabilized media Tray volume (ml/cell) media height (cm) Plug volume air volume air porosity % water holding capacity water porosity (%) media volume media (%) total air + water total porosity (%) Media EllePot AP 67.0 3.7 27.4 19.7 29% 19.1 29% 28.2 42% 38.8 58% Ellepot Coco 67.0 3.0 27.4 15.7 28% 29.8 44% 21.5 32% 45.5 68% Ellepot EP 67.0 3.7 22.2 22.5 26% 26.2 39% 18.3 27% 48.7 73% Ellepot FC 67.0 3.5 18.2 21.0 23% 24.4 36% 21.7 32% 45.3 68% Ellepot FP 67.0 3.5 22.3 22.1 26% 25.5 38% 19.4 29% 47.6 71% Ellepot Knox 67.2 3.3 37.2 15.9 26% 28.8 43% 28.5 42% 39.0 58% Grow Tech IP 67.0 4.3 45.0 8.2 30% 34.5 51% 24.8 37% 42.7 63% Grow Tech HF 67.0 4.4 36.4 19.7 34% 21.6 32% 26.2 39% 41.3 61% Grow Tech MF 67.0 4.4 49.7 5.0 33% 29.5 44% 33.0 49% 34.5 51% IHT Excel 67.0 3.7 30.2 3.7 32% 25.3 59% 14.0 33% 29.0 67% IHT Q Plug 67.0 6.2 65.5 5.6 31% 32.9 48% 30.6 44% 38.4 56% Jiffy Carefree 67.0 4.3 24.0 26.7 33% 23.3 35% 17.0 25% 50.0 75% Jiffy Coir 67.0 3.1 16.3 27.7 33% 20.9 31% 18.4 27% 48.6 73% Jiffy Rice Hulls 67.0 4.4 21.6 29.1 33% 23.6 35% 14.4 21% 52.6 79% Preforma 67.3 4.6 48.8 11.6 19% 27.4 41% 24.8 37% 42.4 63% Oasis 51.0 5.0 39.0 6.8 13% 39.9 78% 4.2 8% 46.8 92% Loose media Tray volume (ml/cell) media height (cm) Plug volume air volume air porosity % water holding capacity water porosity (%) media volume media (%) total air + water total porosity (%) Media Ellegard Coir 67.0 n.a 67.0 15.5 23% 42.8 64% 8.7 13% 58.3 87% Fafard 1P 67.0 n.a 67.0 25.8 39% 30.2 45% 11.0 16% 56.0 84% Fafard Rice 67.0 n.a 67.0 18.3 27% 31.6 47% 17.0 25% 50.0 75% Pindstrup Coarse 67.0 n.a 67.0 27.2 41% 35.2 53% 4.6 7% 62.4 93% Pindstrup Fine 67.0 n.a 67.0 24.9 37% 34.9 52% 7.2 11% 59.8 89% Pindstrup Medium 67.0 n.a 67.0 22.3 33% 37.0 55% 7.7 11% 59.3 89% Pro Mix Mycorise 67.0 n.a 67.0 20.9 31% 32.5 49% 13.6 20% 53.4 80% Pro Mix Biofungicide 67.0 n.a 67.0 23.8 35% 30.8 46% 12.4 19% 54.6 81% Spring Meadow 67.0 n.a 67.0 25.4 38% 26.0 39% 15.6 23% 51.4 77% SunGro LC1 67.0 n.a 67.0 23.1 34% 30.9 46% 13.0 19% 54.0 81% 9
3.2 Nutrition, ph and EC analyses (Quality Analytical Laboratories) Unused media, saturated medium extract, after 7 days near container capacity Stabilized Media NO3-N NH4-N P K Ca Mg SO4-S Fe Mn B Cu Zn Mo Na Al Si Cl (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) Ellepot AP ND ND 7.7 63.7 78.8 33.5 133.7 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 21.1 0.2 3.2 7.8 Ellepot Coco 45.7 24.7 42.2 193.6 11.1 3.6 2.7 0.0 ND 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 49.0 0.2 4.7 190.0 Ellepot EP 1.7 ND 5.9 47.6 45.1 23.3 93.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 15.3 0.2 2.4 4.7 Ellepot FC 1.5 0.4 7.3 54.0 57.9 28.2 112.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 17.8 0.2 2.5 6.7 Ellepot FP 2.0 0.1 5.3 41.4 39.9 19.2 79.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 13.7 0.2 2.8 4.9 Ellepot Knox 40.9 16.8 16.9 94.1 68.2 52.1 120.3 1.1 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 13.2 0.4 8.5 17.0 Grow Tech HF 3.9 2.2 22.5 16.8 16.6 13.2 9.7 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 13.9 0.2 2.2 37.0 Grow Tech IP 5.1 ND 21.3 63.9 58.2 51.7 127.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.0 27.9 0.2 10.5 26.0 Grow Tech MF 0.1 ND 6.2 21.3 42.9 33.6 26.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.0 22.9 0.3 8.8 56.0 IHT Excel 1.6 5.1 31.0 34.5 33.1 20.8 144.0 0.5 0.0 0.9 0.0 0.5 0.0 232.9 0.5 5.4 140.0 IHT Q Plug 33.4 19.3 49.5 36.1 31.6 16.4 21.5 2.2 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.0 39.3 0.3 2.3 19.0 Jiffy Carefree 58.0 19.6 52.9 20.3 80.4 77.9 107.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 28.2 0.3 9.1 15.0 Jiffy Coir 46.4 1.4 15.9 91.1 34.8 5.8 5.6 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 21.3 0.3 1.6 39.0 Jiffy Rice Hulls 3.8 5.8 49.7 12.7 37.5 30.1 42.7 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 13.1 0.2 21.9 11.0 Oasis 12.8 ND 5.8 3.9 46.7 24.0 77.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.7 0.9 Preforma 0.5 0.2 0.3 3.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.0 ND 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.2 0.3 2.6 Loose Media NO3-N NH4-N P K Ca Mg SO4-S Fe Mn B Cu Zn Mo Na Al Si Cl (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) Ellegard Coir 68.0 38.4 34.8 208.6 17.5 5.3 6.4 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 50.4 0.2 2.4 170.0 Fafard 1P 34.7 15.1 11.6 52.2 42.1 37.8 58.1 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.2 0.0 14.9 0.5 5.3 8.5 Fafard Rice 62.4 24.6 28.6 131.2 113.1 37.4 81.3 1.4 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 19.0 0.6 11.3 18.0 Pindstrup Coarse 1.6 ND 25.7 67.7 41.8 7.2 23.3 1.2 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 10.6 1.7 10.6 5.7 Pindstrup Fine 15.7 ND 14.4 56.4 74.7 9.0 25.9 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 12.8 1.1 8.4 6.9 Pindstrup Medium 41.5 10.2 30.1 79.2 71.2 13.0 33.9 1.7 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 12.4 2.7 14.9 7.7 ProMix Biofungicide 74.8 9.5 18.5 52.7 93.3 25.5 37.1 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.9 0.0 43.9 0.3 5.5 45.0 ProMix Mycorise 99.8 14.3 15.2 76.0 110.8 26.9 45.1 1.4 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.7 0.0 27.8 0.5 4.8 14.0 ProMix No Biofungicide 0.6 0.3 12.1 46.4 43.3 11.0 32.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.0 1.5 0.0 23.6 0.3 32.3 12.0 Spring Meadow 119.2 50.8 10.3 124.5 56.8 69.7 91.2 2.0 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.9 0.0 23.9 4.5 10.3 17.0 SunGro LC1 66.7 31.4 24.2 100.7 112.5 38.6 82.7 0.7 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 22.3 0.8 82.7 5.1 10
3.3 ph and EC Test at UF (Plug Squeeze) ph and EC summary table for loose and stabilized Media. The second ph and EC test shows the average of Buddleia and Sambucus, 18 days after planting. Plants were mist-irrigated for 12-14 days with clear water, followed by hand-irrigation with 150 ppm N from 17-4-17 neutral-reaction fertilizer (from Greencare Fertilizer) with micronutrients at 1 ppm iron. Irrigation water alkalinity was 47 ppm. Initial ph and EC (Day 0) ph and EC (Day 18) Stabilized Stabilized Average ph EC Media Media ph EC Ellepot AP 5.9 0.63 Ellepot AP 6.20 0.82 Ellepot Coco 6.2 0.92 Ellepot Coco 6.55 0.78 Ellepot EP 5.8 0.67 Ellepot EP 6.30 0.99 Ellepot FC 6.0 0.64 Ellepot FC 6.25 0.76 Ellepot FP 6.0 0.66 Ellepot FP 6.20 0.86 Ellepot Knox 5.5 4.67 Ellepot Knox 5.80 0.91 Grow Tech HF 6.0 0.20 Grow Tech HF 6.65 0.83 Grow Tech IP 6.7 0.52 Grow Tech IP 6.50 1.16 Grow Tech MF 6.5 0.27 Grow Tech MF 6.80 0.94 IHT Excel 5.5 0.83 IHT Excel 5.75 0.92 IHT Q Plug 5.1 0.78 IHT Q Plug 5.55 0.66 Jiffy Carefree 5.7 1.63 Jiffy Carefree 6.10 0.89 Jiffy Coir 5.1 1.39 Jiffy Coir 5.60 0.83 Jiffy Rice Hull 5.9 1.18 Jiffy Rice Hull 6.35 0.98 Oasis 5.9 0.77 Oasis 6.10 0.86 Preforma 6.1 0.68 Preforma 6.10 0.94 Loose Loose Average ph EC Media Media ph EC Ellegaard Coir 6.1 1.5 Ellegard Coir 6.25 0.84 Fafard 1P 6.1 1.45 Fafard 1P 6.50 0.64 Fafard Rice Hulls 5.8 1.36 Fafard Rice Hulls 5.80 0.88 Pindstrup Coarse 5.9 1.21 Pindstrup Coarse 5.60 0.99 Pindstrup Fine 6.2 1.36 Pindstrup Fine 6.30 0.83 Pindstrup Medium 5.1 1.32 Pindstrup Medium 5.05 0.63 ProMix Mycorise 6.0 1.71 ProMix Biofungicide 6.45 0.92 ProMix No Biofungicide 6.1 1.54 ProMix Mycorise 6.30 0.86 ProMix Biofungicide 6.3 1.19 ProMix No Biofungicide 6.60 0.74 Spring Meadow 6.2 3.80 Spring Meadow 6.40 0.94 Sun Gro LC1 4.1 3.60 SunGro LC1 4.40 0.60 11
3.4 Photos Comparing Rooting in All Media Species Stabilized Media Before sticking 12
Sambucus 1st evaluation April 22 (after 19 days) 13
Sambucus 2 nd evaluation May 7 (after 33 days) 14
Sambucus Loose Media May 15 (after 42 days) 15
Buddleia 1 st Evaluation April 18 (after 18 days) 16
Buddleia 2 nd evaluation May 6 (after 32 days) 17
Osteospermum 1 st evaluation May 2 (after 28 days): 18
Osteospermum 2 nd evaluation May 13 (after 39 days) 19