EFFECT OF PEAT-REDUCED AND PEAT-FREE SUBSTRATES ON ROSEMARY GROWTH

Abstract

The objective of this work was to study the use of four composts, obtained by agro-industrial, urban and green wastes, as growing media components on Rosmarinus officinalis L. Substrates were obtained by mixing each compost with peat in different proportions. Main physical and chemical characteristics of prepared substrates have been compared and, at the end of growing cycle, the biometric survey on main growing parameters and plant nutritional status was performed. The obtained results showed that substrates with 30% compost have main physical and chemical parameters comparable with those of the control. Best quality plants have been obtained substituting peat with 30% of compost, except with the olive mill compost. At the end, the green pruning compost can be recommended as growing media component (up to 50%) for the growth of  Rosmarinus officinalis L., being able to determine high quality plants, together with an implemented plant nutrient efficiency.

Keywords:

• compost
• nutrient uptake
• media
• rosemary
• pruning waste

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was financed by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Fund “Programma di sviluppo per il Mezzogiorno d'Italia: Ricerca ed innovazione tecnologica” (Project 205/7303/05 Valorizzazione delle produzioni florovivaistiche del meridione).