Physical Characteristics of Different Media and their Effects on Growth and Development of Bell Pepper {Capsicum annuum var grossum)

摘要

The selected physical characteristics of seven types of growing media were selected viz., cocopeat rice husk, sawdust, vermicompost, Cocopeat + vermicompost (1:1), Rice husk + vermicompost (1: 1), Sawdust + vermicompost (1 :1), were determined and their suitability as growing media was tested for bell pepper (Capsicum annum var grossum) cv Indira with sandy loam soil taken as a control. Data on water holding capacity, bulk density, particle density and porosity of the media were collected. The maximum (0.434g/ cc) bulk density was noticed in vermicompost and minimum (0.100g/ cc) was found in rice husk. In case of particle density maximum (1.112g/cc) was noticed in cocopeat + vermicompost and the minimum (0.199 g/cc) was found in cocopeat and maximumporosity was noticed in cocopeat + vermicompost (73.56%) and minimum was found in vermicompost(36.73%). The highest water holding capacity was found in rice husk (88.00%) and least was found in sawdust + vermicompost (42.20%) considering the potential shortage of poor oxygen required for aerobic composting.