Effects of Different Growing Media on Growth Parameters of Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Abstract

Growth media have important effects on the development of ornamental plants. Many organic and inorganic materials are used in the as growing media (GM) of plants. The present study was carried out in Atatürk University controlled greenhouses condition. In the study, 11 different media created with sand, soil, peat, perlite, and coconut peat and their different mixtures were used as growing media. Mixing medium on a volumetric basis (V:V), respectively: Mix 1: coconut peat+perlite+peat (1:1:1), mix 2: coconut peat + perlite+ soil (1:1:1), mix 3: coconut peat + peat + soil (1:1:1), mix 4: coconut peat + sand + soil (1:1:1), mix 5: perlite + sand + soil (1:1:1), mix 6: peat + sand+soil (1:1:1). Our results showed that GM had a positive effect on the plant growth and flower parameters (flower number, stem diameter, flower stem length, flower diameter, flower stem thickness, plant wet and dry weight, flower wet and dry weight, root length parameters), chlorophyll reading value (SPAD), and chemical properties of plant leaves. In the study, it was determined that the plant growth and development were better by using peat + sand + soil (1:1:1) mixtures that can be suggested as useful growth media for Zinnia elegans plants.