Mixing Ratio of Peat Moss, Coco Peat, and Perlite Affects the Physicochemical Properties of Media and Growth of Tetragonia tetragonioides

The goal of this study was to select the most suitable medium for the cultivation of New Zealand spinach in a greenhouse. After sowing and raising seedlings, the seedlings were transplanted in media at mixing ratios of 4:0:0, 3:0:1, 3:1:0, 2:0:2, 2:1:2, 2:2:0, 1:0:3, 1:1:2, 1:2:1, 1:3:0, 0:0:4, 0:1:3, 0:2:2, 0:3:1, and 0:0:4 (v/v) composed of peat moss, coco peat, and perlite. After harvesting the shoots and roots, the shoot growth, fresh weight, and dry weight were measured and the nutrient contents of the leaves and physicochemical properties of the media were analyzed. The shoot growth metrics of the main stem length, number of lateral branches, and leaf size were better in media with mixing ratios of 2:2:1, 2:2:0, and 1:3:0 compared to the other ratios. Also, the fresh and dry weights of the leaves, stems, and roots were heaviest in media when the mixing ratio was 1:3:0. The air phase, porosity and water content of coco peat were higher than those of peat moss and perlite, and media with a high mixing ratio of coco peat (0:4:0, 0:3:1, 1:3:0) had higher EC and mineral contents (P, K, and B) than media with a high mixing ratio of perlite; moreover, the leaves grown in these media had higher nutrient contents, such as K and Ca. Therefore, considering the shoot growth and fresh and dry weights of the leaves, stems and roots in New Zealand spinach, it was determined that cultivation in a medium with a mixing ratio of 1:3:0 of peat moss, coco peat, and perlite would be most effective KCI Citation Count: 0