Growth of 'Fireworks' gomphrena grown in substrates amended with biochar

Biochar obtained from flash pyrolysis was incorporated with two container substrates (pine bark or a commercial peat moss-based substrate) at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% (by volume) to grow Gomphrena 'Fireworks' for 43 days. At the end of 43 days, there was no interaction between substrate and biochar on plant width. Plants grown in biochar mixed with the commercial substrate had greater width than those grown in biochar mixed bark. There was interaction between substrate and biochar on plant height and the substrate effect was significant too. For plant fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW), only the effect of substrate was significant. The plant's FW and DW had significant linear relationship with the percentage of biochar in the bark mixes, but not in the Sunshine Mix #1 mixes. Biochar could replace pine bark or commercial peat moss- and perlite-based substrate from 5-30% without negative impact on plant growth.

Growth of 'Fireworks' gomphrena grown in substrates amended with biochar Academic Article