Effect of Substrate Type on Growth Traits of Pelargonium ×hortorum 'Maverick Star' in Plug Culture

To evaluate the effect of different culture media on growth indices of Pelargonium ×hortorum “Maverick Star” in plug culture, a greenhouse experiment was carried out based on a completely randomized design with seven treatments and four replications. The treatments were seven different substrates including peat moss (100%), cocopeat (100%), peat moss + cocopeat (60%+40%), peat moss + cocopeat (50%+50%), peat moss + cocopeat (40%+60%), peat moss + perlite (50%+50%) and cocopeat + perlite (50%+50%). At the end of the experiment, growth indices such as root volume, root fresh and dry weights, plant height, stem diameter, shoot fresh and dry weights, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content and flowering time were evaluated. Results showed that most of the measured traits were significantly affected by the culture medium. The medium containing 100% peat moss had the best effect on the evaluated traits and the weakest results on most of the traits were observed in 100% cocopeat substrate. Results also showed that adding peat moss to other culture media made some positive changes in most of the measured traits.