Peat moss is the most widely used source of organic matter for growing horticultural crops in the United States. The demand for peat as a substrate constituent for bedding and pot plants has remarkably increased in recent years, thus reducing the availability and increasing cost (Nappi and Barberis, 1993). Composts may serve as qualitatively and economically as competitive alternative sources o...

The effects of four commercial substrates, a peat-based substrate, and three coir types (coir pith, chips, pith + fibers) on yield, phytochemical accumulation, antioxidant activity were evaluated in Spinacia oleracea L. cv. ‘Manatee’. Soil-blocked spinach seedlings transplanted into Styrofoam planting boxes filled with the substrate. Each box was irrigated daily by drip complete nutrient soluti...

A partially peat-extracted coastal bog contaminated by seawater was barren and required revegetation as a wetland. Peat fields were rectangular in shape, cambered in cross-section profile, and separated by drainage ditches. Common to all peat fields were symmetrical patterns in micro-topography with slopes between differences in elevation. Saline non-waterlogged slopes of ∼5% occurred as a symm...

The aim of this study was to develop a systematic quality index for application in the cultivation of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach mushrooms, based on the physical, chemical and biological properties (indicators) of the compost and casing layers (factors). The relative importance (weight) of each of the factors and indicators, their normalized scores, the quality index values and the correl...

Peat replacement is an increasing demand in containerized and transplant production, due to the environmental constraints associated to peat use. However, despite the wide information concerning the use of alternative materials as substrates, it is very complex to establish the best materials and mixtures. This work evaluates the use of mixture design and surface response methodology in a peat ...

The application of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi on forest nursery production is regarded as part of good management practice. However, before employing large scale inoculations in a nursery the interaction between ECM symbionts, growth substrate and fertilisation input should be studied to select the most suitable nursery practices for promoting plant growth and ECM colonisation. In this study, ...

ABSTRACT- Almost all oyster mushroom producers in Iran produce this kind of mushroom without any kind of casing soil. Although different kinds of casing soils are available for Agaricus bisporus, limited information is available regarding Pleurotus ostreatus. Availability of peat in many regions around the world is a concern and some researchers' efforts have been devoted to a search for altern...

Cordgrass die-offs in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, salt marshes have challenged the view that the primary production of New England salt marshes is controlled by physical factors. These die-offs have increased dramatically over the last decade and are caused by the common herbivorous marsh crab Sesarma reticulatum, but other factors that control crab impacts remain unclear. We examined the inf...

tissue culture is one of the common methods for propagation of apple clones. however, low survival and poor growth of these plants, after transplanting, limit the widespread use of this technique. the success rate of this method can be increased by using bioagents such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (amf). in this study, effect of mycorrhizal symbiosis and culture media on growth and establish...