Growth, Flowering, and Nutrient Composition of Salvia Grown in Peat moss Media Containing Pellets Processed with Poultry Feather Fibers at Different Mixing Ratios

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of replacing perlite (PL) with pelletsprocessed with poultry feather fiber as an inert material to prepare growing medium. The growthand flowering of Salvia splenden s ‘Vista Red’ grown in individual growing medium Biosangto®,peat moss (PM), PL, and two pellets (P45-1 and P45-2) were evaluated. Peat moss was mixedwith PL, P45-1, or P45-2 at various ratios (1:0 to 1:3 or 3:1 by volume) to investigate thefeasibility of replacing PL with pellets. Nutrient composition of the growing medium and leaftissues was analyzed. The number of florets, inflorescence length, plant height, and fresh weightof plants grown in media containing P45-1 or P45-2 were reduced compared to those grown inindividual growing medium PM or PL. As the mixing ratio of P45-1 or P45-2 to PM was higher,the growth of salvia, such as inflorescence length, plant height, number of leaves, and freshweight was inhibited. Our results indicate that mixing three parts PM with one part of P45-1(PM/P45-1/3:1) or P45-2 (PM/P45-2/3:1) accelerated flowering and increased the number offlorets and leaves compared to other mixing ratios of PM and pellets media. The concentrationsof phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), boron (B), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) in individual growingmedium PL, P45-1, and P45-2 were significantly lower than those in PM. The concentrationof N was the highest in leaves of plants grown in P45-1 or P45-2 amended media, and theconcentrations of P, Ca, and zinc (Zn) in leaves were lower in individual growing mediumP45-1 or P45-2 than in PM and PL. The pH of PM/P45-1/3:1 or PM/P45-2/3:1 media wasmaintained at optimal level (5.8-5.9) and the concentrations of macro- and micro-elements inthe media and leaves were considered to be optimal levels. Therefore, mixing three parts PMwith one part P45-1(PM:P45-1/3:1) or P45-2 (PM:P45-2/3:1) is recommended for improvedgrowth and flowering in salvia. This suggests that P45-1 or P45-2 can replace PL as an inertmaterial to prepare growing medium. KCI Citation Count: 0