Is it possible to produce healthy organic herbal plug seedlings through different proportions of organic materials?

摘要

The effects of different types of organic substrates on plug production by herbs were studied. The treatments consisted of peat, perlite, coir, feather, blood meal, soya meal and/or compost. These substrates were mixed at different proportions to provide all the macro- and micronutrients. Basil (Ocimum basilicum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and rosemary were grown in a polycarbonate greenhouse. The germination percentage for all treatments, including 40% compost, was more than 97% in basil and 91% in coriander. In general, coir substrate amended with 20-40% compost for basil and 10-20% compost for coriander was optimum for transplant production. Shoot and root fresh weights were greater in organic seedlings than in conventionally grown seedlings. The pH and electrical conductivity of the root zone of organic rosemary cuttings were 6.7-7.3 and 1.3-1.8 S m-1, respectively, in coir and peatlite amendments. The rooting performance of rosemary cuttings grown in coir amended with soya meal was as good as that of conventionally grown cuttings. Cuttings planted in coir amended with feather and blood meal exhibited greater rooting than the cuttings planted in peatlite amended with soya meal, feather or blood meal.