Vol. 70 No: 5

Title:
Tomato Bedding Plant Production in Soilless Media Containing Ground Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus L.) Stem Core

Authors:
W.G. PILL, BING SHI, H.D. TILMON and R.W. TAYLOR

pp: 713-720

Abstract:
Kenaf stem core particles (2–4 mm diam.) enriched with 5000 mg N l^-1 ammonium nitrate solution substituted successfully for up to 30% volume of vermiculite, perlite or calcined clay in media containing 70% sphagnum peat to produce ‘Better Boy’ tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) bedding plants in 80 cm³ cells. Shoot dry weights by 36 d after transplanting were greater in media containing kenaf than in proprietary control media (Pro-Mix BX and the Van Wingerden Universal Mix). A second study examined tomato growth responses to increasing kenaf soak solution nitrogen concentration (0 to 5000 mg l^-1) in two media:30% kenaf:70% peat or 10% kenaf:10% vermiculite:10% calcined clay:70% peat. Shoot dry weights five weeks after transplanting were unaffected by 1,000 to 5,000 mg N l^-1 in either medium, but by seven or nine weeks after transplanting shoot dry weights increased with up to 5,000 mg N l^-1 in 10% kenaf media and with up to 2,000–3,000 mg N l^-1 in 30% kenaf media. Media containing 10 or 30% kenaf enriched with 1,000 to 5,000 mg N l^-1 generally supported greater shoot dry weights than the proprietary media by seven or nine weeks after transplanting. A third study examined tomato growth responses in 70% peat moss and 30% kenaf of which one-third was soaked in 5,000 mg N l^-1 and two-thirds was soaked in 0, 5 or 25 mg a.i. l^-1 of uniconazole or paclobutrazol growth retardants. Shoot dry weights by seven or nine weeks after transplanting into media containing 25 mg a.i. l^-1 of uniconazole were similar to those in the proprietary media but plants were of improved quality.

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