Effect of Various (SGS) Developed from Agricultural Waste in Foliage Indoor Plants of Aglaonema commutatum, Dracaena deremensis and Aspidistra elatiors

• Published in: Pakistan journal of agricultural research 2022, Vol.35 (4), p.605
• Main Authors: Batool, Farwa, Rehman, Riaz ur, Ikram, Samia, Zahara, Maham
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural pollution; Agricultural wastes; Agriculture; Composting; Composts; Economics; Environmental impact; Foliage; Gardens & gardening; Height; Leaf area; Leaves; Mosses; Nurseries; Nutrients; Organic matter; Organic phosphorus; Peat; Phosphorus; Plant growth; Plant production; Plants; Plants (botany); Profitability; Sand; Sawdust; Silt; Soils; Stems; Substrates; Variance analysis
• ISSN: 0251-0480; 0251-0480; 2227-8311
• DOI: 10.17582/journal.pjar/2022/35.4.605.611

Abstract Soil growing substrate (SGS) is the most significant factor in foliage plant production and low-cost growing substrate is critical factor in nursery business profitability. The soil substrates must be non-toxic, environmental friendly, highly sustainable and good in nutrients capacity for better plant growth and economical plant production. The agriculture waste is a good option for soil substrate source in nursery plants production. The present research is focusing on the utilization of agriculture waste with different proportions for better foliage plant growth and development. Different combinations of silt, sand, leaf compost, FYM, peat moss, sawdust and garden soil were used as (SGS) for the growth and quality of three selected foliage plants (A. commutatum, D. deremensis and A. elatiors). The plant response was observed through observing the plant height (cm), leaf length (cm), leaf area (cm), number of leaves (cm), stem diameter (mm) and survival (%). The pH, EC, potassium (K), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and organic matter of different ratios of SGS were also observed prior to utilization. The maximum plant height of A. commutatum (46cm), D. deremensis (159cm), A. elatiors (66cm) was recorded in SGS of leaf compost + silt + sawdust + sand (2:1:1:1). While combination of peat moss + soil + silt + sand (2:2:1:1) SGS showed increased number of leaves (40.67) and diameter of stem (14.40 mm) in Aglaonema. The plant response in SGS is significantly better as compared with garden soil for plant vegetative growth. The SGS leaf compost + silt + sawdust + sand (2:1:1:1) was found significantly better in alternative medium for the growth of A. commutatum, D. deremensis and A. elatiors. The leaf compost + silt + sawdust + sand (2:1:1:1) is recommended for better yield in foliage plants.