Hek. Jensen et al., Growth of Hedera helix L. container plants in compost substrates made withMiscanthus ogiformis Honda straw and various N-sources, COMPOST S U, 9(3), 2001, pp. 206-214
Ammonium sulfate or urea were added as N-source to shredded straw of Miscan
thus ogiformis 'Giganteus' and water was included as control. The combined
materials were composted for seven months, and the resulting composts were
tested as growth substrates for nursery container plants and compared with
fertilized and unfertilized peat substrates. The pH was below recommended l
evel for the Compost substrate made with ammonium sulfate and for the unfer
tilized peat substrate throughout the experiment. Electrical conductivity a
nd concentrations of most nutrients were low and decreased throughout the e
xperiment for all growth substrates. Shrinking of the growth substrates aft
er 4, 12 or 17 months was larger for compost substrates than for peat subst
rates. Bulk density increased in compost substrates and decreased in peat s
ubstrates, while the total loss of C was greater in compost substrates than
in peat. Water retention was lower and air volume greater for compost subs
trate made with ammonium sulfate than for fertilized peat. Algae and mosses
did not occur on Miscanthus compost growth substrates in contrast to peat
substrates. The shoot length and dry matter of Hedera helix, produced after
four and 12 months of growth, and five months following cut back, showed t
hat plants can grow well in compost substrates made of Miscanthus straw and
ammonium sulfate or urea. However, the compost substrates could not fully
substitute for fertilized or unfertilized peat substrate with respect to dr
y matter production.