As more horticultural producers in the United States transition to organic production practices, they are challenged in finding consistent and economically viable sources of suitable potting media. Commercial, peat-based media approved for certified organic production are available and custom peat-based mixes that use certified organic fertilizers could also be used. Both of these options, howe...

One of the problems faced in front of industry for potting media is limited amount of quality row materials (mainly peat) for unlimited production of quality substrates in the future. The using of natural minerals for production of substrates or as amendments for existing substrates is possible solution for this problem. The natural zeolites with their specific properties – high CEC, high conte...

Effect of different potting media on growth of rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri L.) rootstock was studied. Freshly harvested seeds of rough lemon were germinated in flat trays of sterilized sand under greenhouse conditions. Six week old seedlings, uniform in size were transplanted from trays to pots (15x15 cm). Leaf manure, peat, spent compost of oyster and button mushroom were added in different c...

Greenhouse nursery production represents a large and growing industry. In recent years there has been a shift both toward the use of soilless media and integrated pest management. Application of entomopathogens such as nematodes, fungi, and bacteria against soil-dwelling insect pests is a sustainable alternative to insecticide centered control programs. Soilless media (peat, coir, or bark-based...

On-farm production of arbuscular mycorrhizal [AM] fungus inoculum can be employed to make the benefits of the symbiosis more available to vegetable farmers. Experiments were conducted to modify an existing method for the production of inoculum in temperate climates to make it more readily adoptable by farmers. Perlite, vermiculite, and peat based potting media were tested as diluents of yard cl...