Spent mushroom compost for germination and growth of Ricinus communis L. Composta de champiñón para higuerilla

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##

Ofelia Andrea Valdes-Rodríguez

Keywords

semillas, plántulas, sustratos, tipo de suelo

Resumen

Objective: To determine the response of castor oil seeds and seedlings to six different substrata: regional soil (sandy-clay-loam), sand, spent mushroom compost (CAC), and mixes of CAC with 50% (A1:CAC1), 66% (A1:CAC2), and 33% (A2:CAC1) sand.


Design/Methodology/Approach: The experimental design consisted of two randomized complete blocks with 24 experimental units per substratum, monitored from their germination until 50 days later. Seed weight was correlated with the final seedling biomass.


Results: The best germination (P < 0.05) was obtained with the A2:CAC1 and A1:CAC1 substrata, while regional soil had the lowest germination. CAC produced the highest growth and biomass in 50-day-old plants (P < 0.05), followed by A1:CAC2, A1:CAC1, and A2:CAC1, while regional soil and sand had the lowest development. Seed weight had a statistically positive correlation (P < 0.05) with seed biomass only in the sandy substratum.


Study Limitations/Implications: The experimental period and pod size limited the achievements of this research.


Findings/Conclusions: Independently of seed weight, CAC, and mixes with sand provide suitable texture and nutrient contents for castor oil seedling's germination and growth.

Abstract 192 | EARLY ACCESS 18 Downloads 0