Evaluation of Composted Rice Hulls and a Lightweight Clay Aggregate as Components of Container-Plant Growth Media

Abstract

Four experiments were conducted with selected woody landscape plants in containers to compare container media consisting of composted rice hulls and a lightweight clay aggregate (Arkalite) to pine bark and sand. Plant growth in the inorganic components of sand and Arkalite was generally similar. Plant growth in organic components of 100% composted rice hulls or 50% composted rice hulls and 50% pine bark compared favorably with the growth obtained with 100% pine bark as the organic component. Excellent growth was obtained with composted rice hulls only when not amended or amended with small amounts of dolomitic limestone. Use of composted rice hulls should be based on costs and availability.